How the scam works:
You are working on your computer when a pop-up window appears on your screen saying your computer is infected with malware. The title may be: "Why is my computer so slow?" or "How to fix a slow computer". The ad offers two options: Fix problems or Find viruses. You click on the first one and are taken to a registration site.
The site says that for a small fee it will fix all your computer problems and it will be running like new in no time. In fact, it's your lucky day because there is a special deal and today the fee is lower than it usually is!
You snap up the offer, only to realize a few days later that you probably shouldn't have, finding several charges on your credit card. The company seems impossible to reach on the phone to get a refund. You gave away your money, and your malware problems are only likely to get worse.
Watch the video below to see a different variation of the Slow Computer Scam, exposed:
Slow Computer Fixing Scam Video
How to avoid the How To Fix A Slow Computer scam:
Even if you're having computer problems or not, you should always have a good antivirus software installed on your computer regardless. Or you can always suck it up and run to your local computer shop. It may be a little pricey, but at least you know you’re dealing with a legitimate business. Always rely on reputable companies rather than no names. There are several out there.
How to report the How To Fix A Slow Computer scam:
Make your family and friends aware of this scam by sharing it on social media using the buttons provided. You can also officially report the scammers to the Federal Trade Commission using the link below:
How to protect yourself more:
If you want to be the first to find out the most notorious scams every week, feel free to subscribe to the Scam Detector newsletter here. You'll receive periodical emails and we promise not to spam. Last but not least, use the Comments section below to expose other scammers.
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I play along with these morons I open either a pizza website or a chinese restaurant they sometimes spend 20 minutes with me b4 they realise i’m pulling their chain
These guys are so lame. They call me frequently. I just got through with one guy who sounded like the Dali Lama. I knew what he was doing the whole time so I pretended to play along. He was telling me what to do on my computer so he could secretly gain access to it. HAHHA the whole time I was repairing an electrical outlet in the next room over from my computer. I could tell he was getting very excited the closer he got me to punching in his remote ID number to gain access to my machine. After pretending to punch in all his numbers he then proceeded to ask me to tell him if a screen popped up. I said "Yes it says to contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation because a scammer is trying to gain access to your computer. He said "I am sorry sir I do not understand what you mean (so funny he sounded just like Apu from the Simpsons TV show). I repeated it to him three times and he just kept pretending like he didn’t know what I meant. I says to him "Everybody is aware of this stupid scam you Indians keep pulling why do you think it will work this time?". I then asked him "Wouldn’t it be easier to just steal money the old fashioned way like just picking somebody’s pocket? He told me "That is just your point of view sir. I then basically told him to just quit being lazy and get a job and earn his money and if he cant do that then he should go about his thievery in a more discreet way so he doesn’t get busted.
It is beyond me as to why they haven’t figured out that when those of us from the western hemisphere hear someone with an eastern accent call them it is an immediate sign that no good can come of it. My tip to them is get some dude from New Jersey or Texas. That should raise gross profits significantly.
I feel bad for those who have fallen prey but these people are welcome to keep calling me. I look forward to it. It is fun!