Ohio Attorney General\u2019s information<\/i><\/p>\n
COLUMBUS — In recognition of Data Privacy Day, January 28, Attorney General Mike DeWine is warning Ohioans to beware of computer repair scams that trick consumers into providing personal information or payment.<\/p>\n
The Ohio Attorney General\u2019s Office has received dozens of reports of computer repair scams. For consumers who lose money, the average reported loss is approximately $200.<\/p>\n
\u201cDetecting and avoiding scams is one important way to protect your personal information and your money,\u201d Attorney General DeWine said. \u201cIf someone contacts you unexpectedly, claiming you have a computer problem, be careful. It\u2019s probably a scam. Never give an unexpected caller your credit card number or access to your computer.\u201d<\/p>\n
The computer repair scam often begins when the consumer receives a phone call from someone who claims that the consumer\u2019s computer has a virus or needs an update. The caller often claims to represent a computer company and asks to access the consumer\u2019s computer from the caller\u2019s outside location. The caller also may ask for the consumer\u2019s credit card number to clear up the issue.<\/p>\n
In reality, the caller is not associated with a legitimate computer company and consumers who respond to the calls risk losing money or jeopardizing their computer security. The con artist may be able to access personal information, such as passwords or bank account information, putting victims at risk of identity theft.<\/p>\n
Consumers can protect themselves by taking the following steps:<\/p>\n
If a computer is compromised, do not pay someone who calls unexpectedly to correct the problem. Instead, visit a local, reputable repair shop and ask a technician to restore the hard drive to factory settings. Then, reinstall backup files and software.<\/p>\n