Beware of Fake Tech Support Scams

As technology becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, cybercriminals continue to develop more sophisticated methods to gain access to personal information, financial accounts, and computer systems. One scam that has gained attention and has become more common involves individuals posing as technology support representatives.

These scams often begin when individuals search online for technical support, click on advertisements, respond to unsolicited messages, or contact phone numbers that appear to represent legitimate companies. In many cases, scammers create convincing websites, advertisements, or search results designed to imitate trusted organizations. Many victims report that the situation seemed legitimate at the time, only recognizing the warning signs after the interaction had occurred.

To help protect yourself, consider the following best practices:

• Never provide passwords, security codes, or multi-factor authentication codes to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
• Never grant remote access to your computer.
• Before calling a customer support number found online, verify that it is listed on the company's official website. Fraudsters frequently create advertisements and websites that mimic legitimate businesses in an effort to intercept support calls.
• Be cautious of websites that contain misspellings, unusual web addresses, or extra characters intended to resemble a legitimate company.
• Remember that a padlock icon or "https://" in a website address does not guarantee a website is legitimate. Many fraudulent websites use the same security features as reputable organizations.
• Be skeptical of anyone who pressures you to act immediately, requests payment through gift cards or wire transfers, or asks you to move money between accounts.

A simple rule of thumb is this: legitimate companies will not unexpectedly ask for passwords, security codes, or unrestricted access to your computer.

When in doubt, slow down and verify before taking action. A few extra moments of caution can help prevent identity theft, financial fraud, and unauthorized access to your personal information.

At Covenant Wealth Strategies, protecting your financial well-being remains one of our highest priorities. We encourage you to remain vigilant and take proactive steps to safeguard your personal information and devices. If you ever have questions about a situation or are unsure whether something is legitimate, we welcome you to Contact Us first. We also encourage you to explore the resources available on our Cybersecurity Hub. Staying informed and aware is one of your strongest lines of defense against fraud and cybercrime.