It is likely that at some point scammers will call you to try to obtain your credit card information. They may claim, for example, that they work for a software company and that they have detected a virus on your PC. To “solve” the problem, you will be asked to provide your credit card information and to install a ridiculously expensive program that will repair the damage.
The National Cyber Security Centre (MELANI) warns about such calls. As Microsoft never makes unannounced or unsolicited support calls, the callers are probably scammers whose sole objective is to manipulate the PCs concerned or to infect them with malware.
Checklist for what to do if you receive a fake support call
1. Neither Microsoft nor any other software or computer company makes unannounced or unsolicited support calls to report computer issues. End these calls immediately.
2. Do not call numbers that suddenly appear as a pop-up on your screen.
3. Never allow anyone who has called you to access your computer. If you have granted access, disconnect the device from the Internet as quickly as possible. Remove the installed software immediately (consult an expert, if necessary).
4. Never disclose your credit card information to someone who has called you.
5. Never give anyone SMS codes for payments or confirm payments via your app that you have not yourself authorised (or not authorised for that amount).
6. If you have divulged sensitive data, please contact our cancellation centre immediately to block the card in question.
7. If you have also disclosed your VisecaOne access data, please mention this to our staff.