IT News

Avoid Technical Support Scams

Important

The University of Miami and other reputable companies—such as Microsoft, Apple, Google, etc.—will not solicit calls or post online pop-ups asking customers to provide any type of personal information or to access their computers remotely. If you receive a call from a suspicious 1-800 number and/or you see an Internet pop-up that looks questionable, please disconnect from the call and/or close your Internet browser and immediately call the IT Service Desk.

Take precaution when answering a phone call from an unknown or 1-800 number, or if you see a "help" window pop up in your web browser unexpectedly. These could be technical support scams where a representative is offering to help fix a computer problem or sell you a software license. The scammer might ask for your username and password, your credit card information, or ask you to go to a website to install software that will let them access your computer. Once you do this, your computer and your personal, financial, and proprietary information is vulnerable.

Examples of technical support scam pop-ups can be seen below:

If you feel you might be a victim of a telephone or online scam, please contact the IT Service Desk – Coral Gables/Marine: 305-284-6565 or help@miami.edu; UHealth/MSOM: 305-243-5999 or help@med.miami.edu.

(Note: IT technicians might request to access your computer remotely, but will only do so when you call the IT Service Desk directly.)
       
Thank you.

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