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Utah consumer protection official warns of tech support and ransomware scams targeting older adults
Summary
A representative of the Utah Division of Consumer Protection described common tech support and ransomware scams, advised steps victims should take (close the device, reboot, report to IT or take to a trusted technician) and pointed listeners to state and federal resources including dcp.utah.gov, scams.utah.gov and FTC.gov.
A staff member with the Utah Division of Consumer Protection warned residents about tech support scams and ransomware-style frauds and offered steps people can take if they encounter one.
“Tech support scams, and I think most of us have experienced this at some point, is some sort of pop up on your on your computer or phone call ... that basically says your computer's been hacked or your computer's being taken over,” the staff member said, describing a common pattern in which scammers create a false sense of urgency and then request account credentials or payment information.
The presenter said scammers often tell victims they have found "*********** on your computer" and threaten to alert police or federal authorities unless the victim removes the material immediately. Signs to watch for, the staff member said, include messages that demand immediate action, requests for usernames or passwords, instructions to download software from unfamiliar websites and requests for credit card information.
The staff member urged people to remain calm if a friend or family member calls during an apparent attack. “When your grandparent or your parent or your child calls you because ... they're in the middle of this, having an angry reaction is not gonna help the situation,” the speaker said, then advised a sequence of steps: stop interacting with the pop-up, close the device if necessary, bring the computer to a trusted tech support provider, or reboot and see if the message persists. People on work networks should report the issue immediately to their IT department, the staff member added.
The presenter directed listeners to online resources for more information: the Utah Division of Consumer Protection (dcp.utah.gov), a state campaign site at scams.utah.gov, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC.gov).
The guidance focused on how to identify and respond to suspected tech support scams rather than on local enforcement actions or pending legislation.
