FTC to Expand Rule to Combat Tech Support Scams

The FTC approved final amendments to its Telemarketing Sales Rule.

Key Provisions of the Amendments

The FTC approved final amendments to its Telemarketing Sales Rule, which extend the rule’s coverage to “inbound” telemarketing calls. This means that telemarketers will now be subject to the same regulations as outbound telemarketers, regardless of whether the call is initiated by the consumer or the business. The amendments cover all telemarketing calls, including: + Robocalls + Live calls + Calls made to consumers + Calls made to businesses

The amendments also cover telemarketing calls made to consumers who have opted out of receiving calls from the company.

These scams can be very convincing, but there are ways to protect yourself from them.

Understanding the Scam

The scam typically starts with a pop-up alert on the consumer’s device, claiming that their computer or device is infected with malware. The alert may look legitimate, but it’s actually a fake. The scammer will then try to convince the consumer to call them for help, claiming that they need to fix the problem. The scammer may use high-pressure sales tactics to try to convince the consumer to pay for their services. The scammer may also use fake technical jargon to make the problem seem more serious than it is. The scammer may even use fake company logos and websites to make the scam appear more legitimate.

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Protecting Yourself

To protect yourself from these scams, there are several steps you can take:

Be cautious of pop-up alerts and other notifications that claim your device is infected with malware. Never call a number that you didn’t find on the official website of a reputable tech company. Be wary of unsolicited calls or emails that claim to offer tech support services.

Scammers pose as trusted companies to trick victims into divulging sensitive info or sending cash.

The scams involved a scammer claiming to be from a legitimate company, such as a bank or utility company, and convincing the victim to send money or provide sensitive information.