Microsoft Sues Tech Support Scammers

Microsoft is taking tech support scammers to court.

The company sued Omnitech Support, a division of Customer Focus Services, for the misuse of Redmond's name, trademarks, and service marks in conjunction with phony services.

According to Courtney Gregoire, senior attorney with the Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit, Omnitech Support staff have been cold-calling people and claiming to be Microsoft tech support. They then convinced consumers that their computer was infected with malware, and tried to sell unnecessary security services to "clean" the PC.

Omnitech sometimes went as far as to install malicious software like a password grabber on victim's computers, gaining access to personal and financial information.

"Tech support scams are not a new phenomenon," Gregoire wrote in a blog post. "However, today's scam artists have added a new twist—using a so-called 'technician' to gain access to a person's computer."

The crook will often use scare tactics to get them to hand over some cash—warning that if the customer doesn't pay up, they'll suffer a computer crash, or something worse.

Since May, Microsoft has received more than 65,000 customer complaints regarding fraudulent tech support scams, according to Gregoire.

While Redmond fights the bad guys in court, customers can do their part to defend themselves at home. The Digital Crimes Unit suggests that, if someone claiming to be from Microsoft tech support calls, don't purchase any software or give control of your computer to a third party. Always ask if there is a fee (if there is, hang up), and immediately take the caller's information and report it to the local authorities. Most importantly, never provide your credit card or financial information.

Last month, the Federal Trade Commission cracked down on phony tech support companies, including New York-based Pairsys, and Florida's Inbound Call Experts and Vast Tech Support. Together, all three have scammed tens of thousands of consumers out of more than $122.5 million since 2012.

If you're in the market for legitimate tech help, check out Testing the Top Tech Support Services and Every Customer Support Number You'll Ever Need.