Dell Has a Severe Tech Support Scam Problem

[Exterminator]

Content source

http://news.softpedia.com/news/dell-has-a-severe-tech-support-scam-problem-498697.shtml

After ruining Microsoft's reputation for years, and recently also targeting Apple customers, tech support scammers have started picking on Dell's customers with a voracious appetite.

During the past year, tens of Dell customers have started reporting being picked on by aggressive tech support scammers that were calling them about their Dell laptops and computers.

Unlike typical tech support scams that rely on ads and scareware, or hunt tech support forums for victims, these particular individuals were calling Dell customers that previously had a problem with their laptop in the past, as 10ZenMonkeys reports.

Scammers have access to sensitive, private Dell customer data
Scammers were not only calling Dell customers at home without the users reporting any issues, but seemed to have access to data like the customer's name, his Dell PC or laptop model, contact information, support history, and Dell's unique service tag and express service code for each computer.

The issue is widespread, with numerous users complaining about scammers on Dell's website (1, 2, 3, 4) and other online tech support forums (1, 2).

All the data points to a data breach on Dell's side, to which Dell has refused to officially acknowledge, even if support representatives told 10ZenMonekys that this might have happened.

Dell is well aware of the issue, can't protect customers
Dell has even issued a public warning about this ongoing scam, but they've been vague when it came to explaining how scammers came to be in possession of sensitive Dell customer information.

Regardless if Dell knows about the ongoing scam operation or not, only by educating themselves can user avoid falling victims to such (old school) tricks.

Even the FTC took notice last November, after similar tech support campaigns also ramped up against Microsoft, Apple, and Google. Unfortunately, their investigation did not target the same individuals behind this campaign, which many users reported having a classic Indian accent.

"We recommend that you not engage such callers, and never give them your credit card information, access to your computer or any other personal information," said Dell's Laura Thomas in the company's statement on this issue. "Remember, if you’re unsure, trust your gut and simply hang up."

 

[Deleted member 178]

Indeed, Dell can just warn the users, after it is their concerns if they give or not private infos to scammers.

 

[jamescv7]

Tech support definitely a wide area span and Dell as no control to prevent that so giving a warning is the only choice.

 

[CMLew]

I guess MT members who purchased Dell, doesn't really need to go for their tech support since MT is their tech support.

I think it's not just happened to Dell. Many other company also got affected by this type of scam; due to the sharing of personal information, particularly Phone no. and email which sometimes you receive 3rd party call or email promoting or sharing something related to you.

 

[Tabeer]

I think not only Dell, other companies also warn about such kind of scams. just protect yourself by not giving any information regarding to you to any unknown person.