Avoid answering calls that claim your computer is infected or your finances are compromised—legitimate companies never demand immediate callbacks to a random number. If a pop‑up appears, close the browser or use Task Manager, then run a trusted antivirus scan. Never share personal or payment details over the phone, and hang up if the caller pressures you. Report the number to your phone carrier and to the FTC to help stop future scams. Stay skeptical of urgent language and unfamiliar accents; scammers often use fear to trick you into paying for bogus services.
Typically, tech support scams focus on computer or network issues, making the mention of financially compromised information unusual. It's suspicious that the message didn't align with standard scare tactics used by such scammers.
Following a dubious ad click, my computer froze, and a supposed Windows defender alert claimed my credit card and bank account numbers had been compromised, urging me not to shut down my computer and to contact 14699068001 instead. Recognizing the scam from past experiences, I decided to call the number back, and as expected, I encountered a person with a Middle Eastern accent attempting to deceive me. Given my frazzled state that morning, I was blunt and warned them to cease their fraudulent activities, even going so far as to express my intention to harass them in return. It's crucial to be cautious of such scams, particularly when the caller has a Middle Eastern accent, as it's often a telltale sign of deception.