Our Story
PCMacAssist is a local Orleans, MA. based concierge service assisting customers with their technology products to help better understand and utilize the advantages and capabilities of their devices.
Our joy and passion is helping our customers through this new normal digital divide AND we don't take ourselves too seriously! We endeavor to make our time with you pleasant, instructive and productive.
Cheers!
Our Expertise
We can assist in:
- Assessing and selecting a new computer/printer/mobile phone
- Setting up a new system ( Apple/Pc)
- Transferring data, photos, documents
- Cleaning viruses
- Tune-ups to increase performance
- Installing application software
- Installing Antivirus software
- Networks (modem/router)
- Email: setup and troubleshooting
- Password and data recovery
- Warranty and remote tech support assistance
- Remote-in capability
BEWARE of SCAMS
Phishing emails
A common trick scammers use is to send you a fake email pretending to be from your bank or another organization you trust.
This email will ask you to visit a website and log in with your account details. The site looks just like your bank’s website, but is really a fake site set up by criminals to get your details.
Phone calls
Tech support scammers often call and pretend to be a computer technician from a well-known company. They say they’ve found a problem with your computer. They typically ask you to give them remote access to your computer and then pretend to run a diagnostic test. Then they try to make you pay to fix a problem that doesn’t exist.
If you get a phone call you didn’t expect from someone who says there’s a problem with your computer, hang up.
Pop-up warnings
Tech support scammers may try to trick you with a pop-up window that appears on your computer screen. It might look like an error message from your operating system or antivirus software, and it might use logos from trusted companies or websites. The message in the window warns you about a security issue on your computer and tells you to call a phone number to get help.
Warning signs it might be a scam
Stop and think. It's probably a scam call if the caller:
- Asks for personal or financial information:
- payment, or for you to move money between accounts
- your password, pin, one-time code, or some other security information
- credit card or banking details to process a refund or other ‘overpayment’
- Wants you to install software or access a secure account on your mobile phone or computer
- Threatens you with immediate arrest, deportation, or blackmail etc.
- Suggests you or your accounts have been hacked or involved in fraud.
Fake Antivirus Software
Fake antivirus software ads and pop-ups try to make you believe your computer is infected with a virus (or dozens of them)—and that you can fix the problem by downloading their software. These ads are also called scareware. These scammers get you two ways:
- They gain access to your credit card information.
- They gain access to your computer. When you click the download link, you get a virus, malware, or ransomware instead of antivirus software.
- How to Avoid Them: Always be wary of ads and pop-ups that prompt you to take immediate action or ones that are hard to close. Be sure to install, update, and use real antivirus software to reduce the risk of scareware.
BEWARE of SCAMS
Post Office email scams
Email scams claim to be from the U.S. Postal Service and contain fraudulent information about an attempted or intercepted package delivery or online postage charges. They usually contain a link or attachment that, when opened, installs a malicious virus or malware that can steal personal information. The message is made to appear to originate from a number of false USPS.com email accounts.
How To Spot a Scammer: 10 Warning Signs
- Uses authority to build trust. Online scammers use organizations and names you trust to lower your guard. Beware of anyone who messages you out of the blue and claims to be from the IRS, government, or a well-known company.
- Preys on your emotions. Online dating scams derive their notoriety for preying on your emotions. A scammer will quickly tell you they’re “falling in love” and get you to say it back. The same goes for charity scams (like veterans charity scams) where fraudsters claim to be victims in need.
- Creates a sense of urgency. Online scammers need you to act quickly before you realize what they’re up to. They’ll often contrive a sense of urgency to stop you from first checking their claims.
- Appears to be threatening or aggressive. Besides emotional appeals, threats are another way online scammers convince you to comply. Often, a scammer will pretend to be from the police or FBI and claim that a warrant will be put out for your arrest if you don’t oblige.
- Contacts you unexpectedly. One of the easiest ways to spot a scammer is if they contact you first. If you receive any message, phone call, or email from someone you don’t know, verify they are who they say by contacting their agency or business directly.
- Asks for sensitive information. Scammers impersonate your bank and ask for your PIN or online passwords to “secure” your account. But legitimate financial institutions will never do this.
- Overpays for goods or services. Most online shopping scams feature an overpayment. In these cases, they’ll send a fake PayPal receipt and ask that you wire back the excess amount.
- Overpromises on what they can deliver. If something or someone seems “too good to be true”, there’s a good chance they’re trying to scam you.
- Tries to be personable. Online scammers pretend to be a friend or family member to quickly gain your trust. But they aren’t. Don’t trust a message just because it comes from an account you recognize.
- Forces you to use unusual payment options. Most online payment options protect against scammers. If someone pushes you to pay them through an untraceable or non-reversible option, it could be a scam. This includes wire transfers, gift cards, and cryptocurrency.
Frequently asked questions?
- Hmmmm, sometimes I don't even know what questions to ask or what I need! So I'll have a look here to see if I'm on track and give Mike a call!
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