Microsoft warns of new tech support scams that use phishing tactics

Online scammers are always modifying and evolving their ploys, and one of the latest such scams involves spam email that resembles tech support messages from well-known companies and retailers, designed to get victims to click suspect links or call in for fake support, according to Microsoft.

The company recently posted a related warning on its Windows Security blog. From that post:

The said spam emails use social engineering techniques — spoofing brands, pretending to be legitimate communications, disguising malicious URLs — employed by phishers to get recipients to click suspicious links … However, instead of pointing to phishing sites designed to steal credentials, the links lead to tech support scam websites, which use various scare tactics to trick users into calling hotlines and paying for unnecessary "technical support services" that supposedly fix contrived device, platform, or software problems.

Fake Amazon order cancellation email, in which the order number is a suspicious link.

The concept isn't new, but the means (getting people to panic and pursue tech support) to the end (stealing innocent victims' money) is slightly different.

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