Microsoft outage: UK warns of fake IT support calls

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The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre has warned the public to be vigilant against scam calls from fraudsters impersonating IT help desks after the globa Read More:…

The United Kingdom’s National Cyber Security Centre has warned the public to be vigilant against scam calls and approaches from fraudsters impersonating IT help desks or Microsoft following the global Microsoft outage.

The NCSC issued the warning in an photo statement shared on its X account on Friday, cautioning that scammers often exploit major news events to gain people’s trust and pressure them into acting without thinking.

“We recommend vigilance against scam calls and approaches impersonating IT help desks or Microsoft,” the agency said.

It added that scammers often exploit current news stories to make their approaches appear credible, gain victims’ trust quickly and pressure them into taking actions without thinking.

The warning came as the agency urged members of the public to exercise caution when responding to unexpected calls and messages, particularly those containing links.

The NCSC also directed users to its website for guidance on recognising and reporting suspicious messages, websites and telephone calls.

Cybercriminals can contact potential victims through emails, text messages, telephone calls and social media platforms. They often impersonate individuals or organisations their targets trust, including banks, government agencies, businesses and technical support providers.

Although scams were once easier to identify through spelling mistakes, unusual email addresses and poorly designed websites, fraudsters are increasingly using convincing language and professional-looking communications to deceive people.

Scammers may also include QR codes in phishing emails to direct recipients to fraudulent websites. Users are advised to be cautious about scanning QR codes received through unsolicited emails.

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