Fall 2019 Newsletter

ALL WEST COMMUNICATIONS • 866.ALL.WEST (255.9378) • www.allwest.com Beware of Tech Support Scams Via Emails and Phone Calls When you communicate with tech support, you want them to help you solve computer problems, not create them! Yet, that’s exactly what scammers pretending to be tech support personnel are doing. Every single day, innocent people are tricked into spending hundreds of dollars on non-existent computer problems. Here’s how it works: Pop-up ads claiming to sell fixes for your computer lead you to a website to download the software. The website includes a phone number for you to call to “register” the soft- ware. When you call, the person on the other end of the line requests information, such as passwords or remote access to your computer. Using remote access, they “examine” your computer and tell you that it has problems that need additional “solutions.” They then ask for your credit card number to pur- chase these so-called solutions that don’t actually do anything. While they’re at it, they may infect your computer with malware or use your financial infor- mation to commit credit card fraud.  In a variation of this scam, scammers call you and claim that they’re on the tech support team at Microsoft or another well-known technology company. They go through the same process of accessing your computer, getting credit card or other information, and then causing trouble. There are also scammers out there who pretend to be from Microsoft, say they’ll help you install Windows 10 and then demand a fee for the service. To help protect against scams, follow these tips:  • Never give access to your computer to someone who calls you out of the blue.  • To contact tech support, call the number you already have for your hardware or software.  • Never provide credit card information, passwords or other sensitive data to someone claiming to be a tech support representative.  • Use an anti-virus and anti-malware application, and run it regularly to ensure con- tinuous protection.  • Perhaps most importantly, back up all your files regularly. Use a reliable offsite backup and recovery service. If you fear you may already have been a victim of a scam, check your computer for malware, change passwords you may have given out, and reverse any associated credit card charges. You can also report your experience to the Federal Trade Commission online at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222. Lifeline Supports Affordable Communications Lifeline is a federal program to help low-income subscribers stay con- nected by providing a monthly discount of $9.25 on their wireline phone, wireless phone or broadband internet service. FCC rules prohibit more than one Lifeline service per household. Lifeline is available to eligible low-income subscribers in every state, territory, commonwealth and on Tribal lands. To qualify for Lifeline, subscribers must either have an income that is at or below 135% of the federal Poverty Guidelines or participate in at least one of the assistance programs listed below: • Medicaid • Supplemental Nutrition Assis- tance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP) • Supplemental Security Income • Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8) • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance • Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations • Head Start (if income eligibility criteria are met) You can check eligibility with the Life- line Eligibility Pre-Screening Tool on the Universal Service Administrative website at www.lifelinesupport.org. Or call All West at 866.255.9378.