Crooks are targeting computer users with a phone scam that claims they need to pay a fee to upgrade their Windows 7 computer to Windows 10 or the PC will stop working.
There is a grain of truth in their story. Microsoft has ended security support for Windows 7 and those computers are no longer safe to use online. That includes surfing the Internet or using email. But there’s nothing these scammers can do to help.
According to the Better Business Bureau, the crooks are calling people up and saying that they must upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 for their computer to keep working. They might also say that your Windows Licence is expiring.
The crooks might try to gain remote access to your computer to install the upgrade or they might ask for you to pay a monthly fee. If they get into your computer, they can steal your personal information or cause technical issues and ask you to pay for further technical support. If they get your credit card or bank information, they could steal thousands of dollars.
Calls like this are always a scam. Just hang up. If you do have a Windows 7 computer, keep it offline until you can upgrade your operating system to Windows 10 or buy a new device.
If you’ve been the victim of a scam, you can report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker.
Windows 7 upgrade scam
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