how to report a tech scam to the attorney general

Contact the Attorney General’s Office If you believe you are a victim of the iYogi scam, or any other tech support scam, file a consumer complaint with the Attorney General’s Office at /file-complaint. For additional Internet safety tips, advice and information visit the Attorney General's website, here.

Full Answer

How do I report a scam or scammer?

Beware of online tech support scams. These scams usually involve someone pretending to be a tech support person who is “helping” you get rid of a virus or some other made-up problem with your computer. The scammer may call pretending to be from Microsoft or some other well-known company, or use a pop-up chat window or advertisement on your computer.

What are tech support scams and how can I avoid them?

Scammers are constantly finding new ways of using technology to take advantage of consumers. Tech support scam In this scam, fraudsters call consumers and say they work for Microsoft, Dell, or some other well-known tech company. The caller claims there are problems with consumer’s computer, such as viruses, infected files, or a security breach.

What is the Attorney General’s consumer complaint mediation service?

The Attorney General, through the Bureau of Consumer Protection, provides a mediation service to consumers where an attempt may be made to mediate your individual consumer complaint if it falls within the jurisdiction of the office. Please be advised that the information you provide may be shared with the party against which you have filed a ...

How do I file a consumer complaint about a robocall?

Mar 07, 2019 · If you have been a victim of a tech support scam, change all your passwords and have your computer screened for malware by a legitimate computer service. Pennsylvania Consumers who have been victims of a tech support scam can file a complaint online with the Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection here to get help. Last year alone, the …

Can you report a phone scammer?

Report telephone scams online to the Federal Trade Commission. You can also call 1-877-382-4357 (TTY: 1-866-653-4261). The FTC is the primary government agency that collects scam complaints.Jan 5, 2022

How do I report a computer scammer?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the main agency that collects scam reports. Report the scam to the FTC online, or by phone at 1-877-382-4357 (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, ET).Jan 21, 2022

Does reporting a scammer do anything?

When you report a scam to the FTC, investigators use your information to build cases against scammers. Other law enforcement agencies can see the reports, too, and use them to further their own investigations. ... As soon as you think you see a scam, talk with someone, and then tell the FTC.

Can I report a scammer and get my money back?

However, sometimes you might not be able to get your money back if you've been scammed out of your cash. ... You can also report scams to the FTC. File a report online with the FTC, or by phone at (877) 382-4357. These reports are used by government agencies to recognize scam patterns.Aug 3, 2021

How can I get my money back after being scammed online?

Ask them to reverse the transaction and give you your money back. Did a scammer make an unauthorized transfer from your bank account? Contact your bank and tell them it was an unauthorized debit or withdrawal. Ask them to reverse the transaction and give you your money back.

How do I report a scammer on Google?

Open your Gmail inbox and click to open the phishing message. Click or tap the "More" arrow button next to the Reply button. Click or tap “Report phishing” to open the pop-up window, then click "Report phishing." The message is forwarded to the Gmail Team.

Can you get in trouble for scamming a scammer?

The perpetrators of online scams are often charged with federal wire fraud crimes. ... If the perpetrators of an online scam are convicted, they may be ordered to pay restitution to their victims.Aug 23, 2019

What if a scammer has my phone number?

By having your cell number, a scammer could trick caller ID systems and get into your financial accounts or call financial institutions that use your phone number to identify you. Once the scammer convinces your carrier to port out your number, you may never get it back.Mar 23, 2021

What are the chances of getting money back after being scammed?

So while customers lost £398.6 million to unauthorised fraud in the first six months of this year, industry analysis suggests banks refunded victims in more than 98 per cent of cases. If you are refused your money back, you can complain to the Ombudsman.Oct 12, 2021

Will the bank refund me if I get scammed?

If you've fallen victim to a scam and made a payment with a credit or debit card, you might be able to ask your bank to help get your money back through what is known as a "chargeback."Aug 18, 2021

How to tell if a scam is real?

5 Signs of a Scam 1 They contacted you#N#When you contact a business, you know who's on the other end of the line. But when someone contacts you first, you can't be certain they're telling the truth. You don't know if they are whom they say they are. And remember, email addresses and caller ID information can be faked. 2 They dangle bait—usually money#N#Let's face it: People simply don't give away large sums of money easily. If someone dangles bait in front of you—a big prize, a shopping spree, an easy loan — for nothing, they're probably lying. 3 They want your personal information#N#Anytime anyone asks for your personal information — bank accounts, social security number, etc. — you should be on alert. Don't give it away quickly or easily, especially to someone you don't know. You may become a victim of identity theft. 4 You have to pay them first#N#If someone offers you a prize, debt relief, or employment — but first you have to pay an upfront fee to get it —you're probably being scammed. 5 You have to wire money or send gift cards#N#If you're about to wire money or send gift cards to someone in order to receive a prize, or pay off a debt collector that contacts you ... STOP! This may be a scammer trying to take your money.

Why do scammers demand payment on fake debts?

Scammers will demand payment on fake debts because a few people will be scared into paying. Real, legitimate creditors will be able to produce proof that a debt exists in the first place. If the debt is real and you weren't aware of it, you may be the victim of identity theft. Learn more about Debt Collection Scams.

What happens if you don't pay your taxes?

An IRS agent contacts you and tells you that you owe back taxes and must pay immediately. If you don’t, they say they will have the police come and send you to jail. There are variations of this scam, such as local law enforcement contacting you with a warrant because you missed jury duty, but almost always you will be asked to pay immediately via wire transfer or even gift cards, and will be told to stay on the phone throughout the entire payment process (including driving to the store!). Or you may be asked for your personal information to confirm your innocence or to receive a tax refund. Do not fall for it! Most likely you are not communicating with a government agent.

How do scammers convince you to be a grandparent?

They convince you by disguising their voice, showing a familiar phone number on your caller ID using a practice called “spoofing”, and using information available on the Internet. For instance, they say they may sound different because they are crying, sick, or injured. They reference specific names of family members or locations to make their story seem plausible. Then, they try to keep you from confirming their story by begging you not to tell anyone since they are embarrassed or scared in their situation.

Can the IRS send you to jail?

You probably would have received letters from them first if you really owe money. Also, the IRS won’t immediately send you to jail – there would be a process you would be aware of prior to any criminal punishment. Learn more about Phone Scams. Learn more about Online Scams.

What is Nigerian fraud?

Sometimes known as Nigerian Fraud, a "government minister" (or his widow), a lawyer representing a deceased client from a foreign country, or a business owner wants to deposit money from a foreign country in your bank account. There are many variations on the same theme but they all have a similar catch.

Can you tell if someone contacted you first?

They contacted you. When you contact a business, you know who's on the other end of the line. But when someone contacts you first, you can't be certain they're telling the truth. You don't know if they are whom they say they are. And remember, email addresses and caller ID information can be faked.

How tech-support scams work

Tech-support scams work when scammers call you or send pop-up ads to your screen that resemble security alerts from major technology companies. They’re often convincing and look real.

How you can protect yourself

You can protect yourself against tech-support scams by hanging up if you receive a call claiming your computer is infected with a virus. If you receive a pop-up message asking you to call a telephone number for tech support assistance, do not react to it at all.

How you can help others

As Attorney General Ellison’s office keeps up its work to help people afford their lives and live with dignity and respect, and to catch these scammers and hold them accountable, you can do two things to help: be alert, and come forward.#N#Being alert means educating yourself and your loved ones about how tech-support scams operate, being on the lookout for the signs of a scam, and not engaging at all by immediately hanging up the phone or shutting it your computer without clicking anything..

How to stop being scammed?

If you or someone you know are being targeted by scammers, take action to prevent loss. There are a few simple steps you can take: 1 Hang up! Scammers will try to keep you on the phone. The best way to avoid getting scammed is to hang up the phone. Don’t try to talk with them, just end the call. If the conversation is online or by text/e-mail, stop responding, or block the sender. 2 Call us! Whether you need help for yourself or someone else, we want to talk with you. If it is outside of our normal business hours, you can send us an e-mail or leave a voice message. If you need immediate assistance, contact your local law enforcement agency or call 2-1-1 for information and referrals to other helping agencies. 3 Stop payment! If money has been sent (by wire transfer, mail, gift card, or any other means), contact the bank or institution you sent it through right away to stop the money before it is picked up. Usually the funds are picked up quickly by scammers, but it’s worth trying!

What is a scam call?

Most common scams: A scam telephone call saying you owe “back taxes” or outstanding payments due to the government, typically from callers claiming to be “Internal Revenue Service”, “IRS”, and “US Treasury and Legal Affairs.”. Don’t respond to these callers.

How do I contact the IRS about my back taxes?

If you think you may actually owe back taxes, hang up and contact the IRS directly at 1 (800) 829-1040. Computer Tech Support. Caller or pop-up message on computer which claims to be from Microsoft/Windows or other tech company claiming there is a virus or other serious problem with your computer.

What is phishing scam?

In the most common phishing scams, the perpetrator claims to be calling from a person’s bank and requires account information to re-activate their account.

Complain Online

First, choose the consumer complaint form that fits your problem. Next, enter the information into the form and submit it electronically. You can attach up to four supporting documents. Please copy and mail any additional supporting documents along with a printed copy of your complaint.

What to Include

Providing supporting documents helps us respond to your complaint more quickly. Include legible copies of supporting documents such as: Please submit copies of your supporting documents, not originals.

Complain by Mail

Due to circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 situation, we are not able to process hard copy complaints that are mailed in to us the same way we have in the past and request that consumers submit complaints to us via the online form or by calling our consumer assistance line at (919) 716-6000.

What happens to my complaint?

After we review your complaint and supporting documents, we will likely forward them to the business complained about for response. You’ll receive copies of all correspondence. If the complaint falls within the jurisdiction of another local, state, or federal agency, we may refer your complaint to that agency.