Has an online trading broker asked you to enter your bank account to fund your account? Has a crypto exchange promised you riches but requires your bank account password to get in? Has anyone convinced you or a family member to enter their computer and assist them with making a large financial transaction? All of these are signs of remote desktop scams that you must take caution not to fall into.
1. What is a remote desktop scam?
Basically, it’s a scheme that entices a victim to use their computer to log into an account or service that they shouldn’t have to use to make a transaction. But more importantly, the type of scam that you should be wary of is that it could be in violation of the terms and conditions of the legitimate service or channel being used. Here are a few of the most common remote desktop scams you should be on the lookout for: Scam One: Unlock Your Computer This scam involves convincing a user that they need to use their computer in order to “unlock” the device or account they have authorized. The scammers then force you to enter your personal information like bank account and social security number to unlock the computer, making your funds accessible.
2. How can you identify a remote desktop scam?
It is important to note that the computer you are using to complete the transaction is not your own. This is done to make you believe that you are being helped by someone else. If you are approached by someone online, such as on social media, to help complete a remote computer transaction, it is likely a scam. Although remote desktop scams are fairly easy to avoid, they are very common. There are a number of warning signs that the remote computer transaction you are about to complete is likely to be a remote computer scam. After you provide personal information to someone online, you should immediately email or call your financial institution to verify that the information you provided was correct. If they give you an error code, this is also a strong indication that something is wrong.
3. What should you do if you think you’ve fallen for a remote desktop scam?
The scammer uses remote access software or even a third-party tool to take control of your computer. This is how they take your money and identity. By sending you emails, the scammer impersonates a legitimate source or source, often a company or bank. It’s not unusual to receive a string of communication asking for your personal or financial information and to sign up for something. You are bombarded with requests, constantly bombarded. If you want to help yourself recover your account you must contact your bank and/or credit card companies and request the credit freezes. Your account will not be canceled until you do so. This will protect you from future fraud attempts.
4. Remote desktop scams have been going on since the late 90s
The con artists will contact you by phone or email and ask you to enter your desktop on their computer so that they can access your bank account or make a large financial transaction. In the last five years, the amount of money lost to these scams has increased by over 250%. If you are contacted and the person on the other end tells you to enter your password or bank account information, it is not from a legitimate source.
- How to recognize remote desktop scams
If you are approached by someone requesting your computer login information for the purpose of accessing your account, do not do it. Some con artists will request your social security number or other personal information for the sole purpose of stealing your identity.
Conclusion
In today’s digital age, everyone is well aware that online trading is not what it used to be. This is perhaps the reason why cyber criminals have found new methods to rob their victims. It is not that you can not protect yourself anymore, rather it is that you must be hyper vigilant. The reality is that you will probably never be able to trace a scam and eradicate it, but what you can do is prevent yourself from falling into the trap of these scams. Keep all the warnings in mind and be prepared for a future without access to your email. How should you prevent yourself from falling for a remote desktop scam? The best way to prevent yourself from falling victim to any kind of scam is to never click on an email that claims to be from a reputable trading firm or crypto exchange.