Once they have access, they may put up a fake screen and work in the background to download other software or steal passwords and other personal data.īased on reports to Which?, TeamViewer is the brand of remote access software reported as being misused by scammers most often, although others include AnyDesk, LogMeIn and GoToAssist. Other scammers are sneakier still, directing you to websites where clicking on the various brand names downloads the software, although they would still need you to enter a code to connect to your device. Typically, you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from a known company (commonly impersonated firms include Amazon, BT and Microsoft), in which they try to convince you to grant them access to your device, claiming they will fix a spurious problem.Īction Fraud recently reported that an Amazon Prime scam involving remote access software has cost victims over £400,000 in two months. A simple passcode will then connect the two devices.Īlthough many legitimate businesses use this technology, including the Which? Tech Support team, criminals also use it for nefarious purposes. Remote access software enables you to use one device to access another from any location by downloading a smartphone app or installing a program on your computer. Your data will be processed in accordance with our Privacy policy This newsletter delivers free money-related content, along with other information about Which? Group products and services. Yet the use of remote access software is not very well known - our survey of the general public in September 2020 found that four in 10 people have never heard of it, even though we had explained how these tools are misused by scammers to gain access to devices. At a more granular level, Action Fraud says that it has received14,893 'computer software service fraud' reports between October 2019 and September 2020, with reported losses reaching around £16.5 million over that period. Impersonation fraud shot up by 84% in the first half of 2020, with almost 15,000 reports and £58m lost, according to UK Finance. Her bank eventually agreed to refund the money but other victims of remote access fraud have been told their banks will not cover losses if they give access to their devices. One of the worst cases we came across resulted in a Which? member losing £80,000 after a 'BT engineer' phoned about service problems in the area. We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).Scammers posing as IT departments, telecoms providers and banks are tricking victims into relinquishing control of their devices to hack into their accounts and steal sensitive data. The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. This information is for educational purposes only. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.
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