Hint Everyone: Microsoft will not call you to help you fix your computer....ever!

Consumers: Hang up on anyone who cold-calls offering Windows technical support, never believe an Internet pop-up that reports your PC is infected with malware, and, above all, don't ever install software from an untrusted source who offers to rid your PC of viruses, perhaps for free.

If people followed those precepts, they'd avoid the hassle and expense of scammers out to make a quick buck. But Microsoft technical support scams continue to be alive and well, sticking victims with bills of between $50 and $450 for security smoke and mirrors, or sometimes perpetrating financial fraud that costs far more.

According to a 2011 Web survey of 1,298 people conducted by British consumer rights watchdog Which?, 3% of respondents said they'd allowed scammers to log onto their PC and 2% gave them money. Interestingly, 3% said they weren't sure if a technical support cold call had really been a scam or not.

Here's a hint: Cold callers offering tech support advice are scammers.

For some of the more common scams, check out the article under What's New