Full Notification

Beware of Computer Repair Scams 
 
Scammers, pretending to work with Microsoft Windows, are calling victims claiming their computer has been hacked and/or their Windows certificates have been compromised.  They are very knowledgeable and sound believable.  Their goal is to get the victim to allow the “company” remote access into their computer to fix the hacking/ransomware/malware problem.  Instead, the scammers gain access to all the files on the victim’s computer, including personal identifying information that can later be used to commit identity theft.  These scammers also obtain credit card information to pay for the "services" they provide while installing their spyware/remote access software.  Hang up and do not provide any information.
 
There are many versions of the scam, but mostly they seem to originate from call centers, often located in other countries.  Microsoft does not call people unsolicited nor would they know if any errors existed on an individual computer.  If those problems are addressed in a cold call, those are frauds or scams to get money or worse, to steal someone’s identity.

Avoid scams that use the Microsoft name fraudulently - Microsoft does not make unsolicited phone calls to help you fix your computer https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/safety/online-privacy/msname.aspx.

Here are some additional resources:
HOW TO: Report the Microsoft phone scam
https://blogs.microsoft.com/microsoftsecure/2014/09/18/how-to-report-the-microsoft-phone-scam/

Avoiding technical support scams
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/safety/online-privacy/avoid-phone-scams.aspx

Tech Support Scam
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0346-tech-support-scams#If_You_Get_a_Call

Email and web scams: How to help protect yourself - includes what to do if you
think you have been a victim of a scam.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/online-privacy/phishing-scams.aspx  

How to recognize phishing email messages, links, or phone calls
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/online-privacy/phishing-symptoms.aspx

In USA you can contact FBI, State Attorney General, local law enforcement and
consumer watch groups. Arm yourself with knowledge.

The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a partnership between the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center
(NW3C), funded in part by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx

Avoid scams that use the Microsoft name fraudulently - Microsoft does not make
unsolicited phone calls to help you fix your computer
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/safety/online-privacy/msname.aspx

Microsoft Support
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support#tab0
Phone Scams
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0076-phone-scams

Limiting Unwanted Calls & Emails
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/topics/limiting-unwanted-calls-emails

National Do Not Call Registry
https://www.donotcall.gov/