Boardman woman loses $2,242 in phony ‘Microsoft’ computer repair scam

A Boardman woman told township police she watched her computer screen helplessly while someone claiming to be from Microsoft scammed her out of $2,242.

The victim told police that her computer screen froze on Wednesday, and a message appeared on the screen instructing her to call an unknown number for "Microsoft" support.

The woman made the phone call and spoke with a person who gained remote access to her computer. The victim then watched the screen as several unauthorized transactions took place, including:

• A $300 Kohl's gift card was sent to an unknown recipient.
• A $942 wire transfer via Western Union to an unknown recipient.
• A $1,000 cash advance from Wells Fargo.
• Two $500 gift cards to Bath & Body Works were sent to the victim's residence. The victim still has those gift cards.

The victim told police she was unsure how the suspect was able to complete the transactions. She has since canceled her cards and contacted her banks.

The victim told police she wishes to pursue charges if a suspect is identified.

The Federal Trade Commission offers advice on how to avoid becoming a victim of similar scams. "Scammers may call, email, or send a message through social media and pretend to be someone you trust, like a government agency, a family member, or a company you do business with," the FTC warns. "They may say there's a problem or an opportunity. They pressure you to act quickly and may tell you to pay in a specific way."

The FTC advises consumers to be wary of unsolicited requests for personal information, to avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources, and to never give remote access to your computer to someone you don't know and trust. If you believe you have been a victim of identity theft, the FTC recommends reporting it immediately at IdentityTheft.gov.