Microsoft takes action against tech support scammers with lawsuit

In 2014, Microsoft sued two technical support businesses, alleging that they proficient false advertising as they deceived consumers into paying for fake help and infringed numerous Microsoft logos. The suit was the very first time Microsoft turned to try and stem the deluge of tech support scams that swamp Windows users.

"Defendants have used the Microsoft logos and service marks to improve their qualifications and confuse customers about their association with Microsoft," the complaint said.

The suit accused Customer Focus Services, a California firm, and its own subsidiary companies with trademark infringement, and alleged that the net of its own websites -- including omnitechsupport.com, fixnow.us and techsupportpro.com -- shilled fake Windows support. Microsoft additionally named Anytime Techies, a Florida company, and its vtechsupports.com, mytechsupports.com, anytimetechies.com and windowssetgetsolution.org sites.

The description of fake support practices of Microsoft was not dissimilar to dozens of reports received by Computerworld from individuals and defrauded sufferers who did not bite on the help offer.

Technical support Scam is derived from a load of lies, a variety of pushy sales strategies as well as some half truths. Callers pose as computer support technicians, frequently itself, and attempt to convince victims that their computer is infected, often log that reveals lots of errors that are harmless. At that stage, the deal pitch begins, with the caller attempting to convince the customer to download applications or let the "tech" remotely get the PC.

The con artists charge for their "help" and regularly get individuals to buy useless applications. Often, the application is only useful, but additionally contains malware that snitches passwords and on-line account information.

In the own probe of Microsoft, it'd the phone numbers listed on sites are called by investigators. But the results were the same as when their phones were replied by individuals and heard a quick -speaking phony support representative yammering about gloom and PC doom.

"The tech claimed to have discovered 75 issues of all, which the tech claimed were caused by 'polymorphic viruses.'

During several test calls, the technicians maintained they were "from Microsoft."

"Microsoft investigators have observed the defendants use these practices, including defendants' deceptive sale of unneeded technical support, installing malware on the investigators' clean personal computer, and an effort to steal an investigator's passwords,"

That criticism's bookkeeping of investigators' calls read from Windows PC users Computerworld has received like a lot of the e-mails. "I happen to be conned ... I'm embarrassed to say not once, but twice," declared Linda Reynolds in an October e-mail.

SanDisk, Toshiba double down, declare the planet's greatest capacity 3D NAND…"They promised to be from 'Windows,' and desired me to visit my computer so that they are able to show me how to 'fix' the terrible issues I have with it."

"I happen to be phoned repeatedly from an anonymous telephone number, promising to be Windows tech support and desiring me to log on for them to rid my computer of viruses that endanger my applications," added Jack Authentic last month.

The scammers are consistent because there's big money at stake. "This substantial conversion rate is a testament to the great lengths to which the firms offering deceptive services visit seem valid also to confuse consumers about purported issues using their applications and PCs," Microsoft said. It is not likely that Microsoft's suit is going to do. As an indicator of the area of the issue, Microsoft stated that it'd received 65,000 customer grievances since May, when the firm was the annoyance by last blogged.

Microsoft has requested the court to prevent the scammers from using its brands.

Neither defendant, Customer Focus Services nor Anytime Techies, reacted to the request of Computerworld for opinion. The companies' various sites stay online, although none shown symbols or Microsoft brands.