Two Cyprus-based tech support companies have agreed to pay $26 million to settle FTC charges that they tricked consumers into paying for unnecessary computer repair services. Restoro Cyprus Limited and Reimage Cyprus Limited stole tens of millions of dollars from mostly elderly victims.

They used fake Microsoft pop-ups that said the victims’ computer was infected with viruses and urged them to “scan” their computers to avoid more damage. One message said “Your system is infected with 3 viruses.” The companies’ scans identified supposedly serious issues even on healthy computers, at which point consumers were urged to purchase software from the companies to fix the problems and remove alleged viruses or malware. The cost of the software ranged from $27 to $58.

Consumers who purchased the software were provided a number to call to activate it. Restoro and Reimage telemarketers who were given access to consumers’ computers routinely claimed that the problems were too serious to be fixed by the new software alone and convinced many consumers to pay hundreds of dollars more for help from a technician.

Other tech support scammers call victims claiming to be a technician from a well-known company. They say they’ve found a problem with the consumer’s computer and need access to it to run a diagnostic test. Naturally, they find a serious problem the consumer needs to pay to get fixed.

Consumers searching online for help in resolving a problem with their computer may find a listing for scammers, maybe even a paid ad, with a number to call for help. If they call the number, whatever problem they might really have isn’t fixed and they’re charged to fix problems that don’t exist.

In the first six months of 2023, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received 19,000 complaints about tech support scams with estimated losses of more than $542 million. By August, losses had already exceeded total losses in 2022 by 40 percent. Almost 50 percent of the victims were age 60 or older and some lost everything they had in bank, savings, retirement and investment accounts.

In bringing the action against Restoro and Reimage, Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said, “These companies used scare tactics and lies about threats to consumers’ personal computers to bilk consumers, particularly older consumers, out of tens of millions of dollars. We have taken decisive action to halt this scheme and return money to consumers.”

To avoid tech support scams:

• Know that legitimate tech companies won’t contact you by phone, email, or text message to tell you there’s a problem with your computer.
• Never click a link or call a number in a pop-up warning. Legitimate tech companies won’t contact you unexpectedly and ask you to do that.
• Understand that being asked to pay for services via a wire transfer, a gift card, a prepaid card, a cash reload card, a money transfer app, or cryptocurrency means it’s almost certainly a scam. Crooks like these kinds of payments because they’re almost impossible to reverse.
• If you need help fixing a problem, go to someone you know and trust. Many software companies offer support services online or by phone (verify the contact information). Stores that sell computer equipment usually offer technical support in person.