Computer virus scams staged by criminals who pretend to offer technical support are the most common scam you will face. A stranger will contact you to say your computer has a virus, then offer to fix it for a fee. Watch out! They are likely posing as technical support staff and are attempting to gain access to the personal information on your computer.

Scammers can also cause pop-up ads to appear on your computer, notifying you of a virus and providing a phone number to call. If you call the number, the scammers will ask you to install remote desktop software and convince you to pay for virus removal services. In some cases, they may gain access to your online banking or steal your personal information.

These pop-ups do not mean you have a virus. They can be caused by malware, but more often they are the result of the ‘notifications’ feature on your computer, which allows apps or websites to ‘push’ real time messages to you. See the Microsoft website to learn how to change notification settings in Windows 10 and 11.

Take the following steps to prevent a computer virus scam:

• Ensure that your anti-virus and anti-malware software is active and up to date
• Never respond to pop-up ads or spam, even if you are interested in the product or service
• Never install apps from unfamiliar sources you don’t trust
• Get your computer checked by a professional if it’s acting strangely and your anti-virus software does not detect anything

Notify Coastal Community right away if a scammer has gained access to your computer. We will take steps to protect your online banking information and provide information on how you can secure your computer and keep your personal information safe.

Let’s work together to prevent fraud

Coastal Community works around the clock to safeguard your accounts. If you suspect fraud, click here to report it right away.

Learning how to recognize fraud is the first step to protecting yourself. Learn more.

We offer cyber insurance to protect you from scams like this, as well as:

• Cyberattacks
• Ransomware
• Identity theft and fraud
• Data breaches
• Cyberbullying