1. Remote Access Scams – How Swindlers Use Apps to Steal Money

I gave a scammer remote access to my phone. This is what we often hear when talking to victims of scam brokers. Tricking victims into downloading malicious software so cons gain access to their devices has become one of the most common scams nowadays. 

With billions of people having access to an internet connection, financial swindlers don’t find it overly hard to track down victims and abuse their lack of experience or knowledge of risks. Introducing themselves as tech support, professional investors or asset managers, these solicitors quickly persuade their targets to install remote access apps. 

You’re probably wondering what happens when cyber thieves are granted control over your device. Another burning question is how you can recognize and prevent remote access scams. Stay with us, and we’ll answer all your questions and teach you what is best to be done in these cases.

What are Remote Access Scams?

Unscrupulous activities going on other people’s computers and phones are managed by financial cons that convince the owners of these devices to download and install certain software.

One common scheme we need to mention here is done by illicit brokers and their agents. Under the pretense of being a legitimate financial advisor or an investment support person, agents often contact victims to persuade them into using the remote access software. Being the most common, this sort of fraud is only one example among many. 

Other charlatans often impersonate your bank account manager or bank representative, asking you to provide them with details so they can move your capital to another, uncompromised account. 

Once granted control over another individual’s machine, cons are likely to steal the details, perform unwanted operations, and empty your wallets and accounts through an AnyDesk scam. 

According to an official FBI report, over $800 million was lost to such operations only during 2022.

Apps Commonly Misused

The original idea behind the development of remote access software was to facilitate communication, business development, learning, and plenty of other activities people share and perform together online. 

As much as we have benefited from this technological solution, it’s also been heavily misused and exploited for rotten purposes, for example, TeamViewer scam.

Some of the most frequently used apps for sharing control over devices are:

• AnyDesk
• TeamViewer
• LogMeIn
• GoToAssist

These and many other similar programs are the main tools swindlers exploit to operate your computer remotely and con you out of your money. That’s not, however, everything they tend to do with your machine.

What Can Swindlers Do With Your Device

Fake brokers and their agents often get in touch with less technologically educated victims who are easy to persuade into accepting help with managing their investments or even logging in to their trading accounts. They let their victims feel they can help them earn thousands of dollars, for example, and that the only thing standing between you and your earnings is access to your computer. 

After victims install the required software, cons do not just use this sort of access and control to con people out of their money but are also overcharging their useless services. What can also happen is data gathering for identity theft, and other fraudulent purposes. 

Furthermore, miscreants can also use the gained entrance to your network and devices to install malicious software to continuously acquire data from your PC or phone. They can open themselves access even when you’re not near your computer or phone, meaning they can easily access your online banking, crypto wallet, or anything else you have on your device.

Recognizing Remote Attack Attempts

Receiving an unexpected phone call, or unsolicited chat messages from an unknown party may indicate that you were marked for a remote PC scam. Remember: the kind of con trick we’re discussing today is almost always paired with impersonation scam, romance cons, or some other fraudulent strategy.

Here are some usual narratives the tricksters commonly use for the remote access fraud:

• Your personal account manager is calling to help you set up your trading account or activate an automated trading system for you.
• A representative from your bank is calling to inform you that your account needs attention and that the funds need to be transferred to another, temporary account.
• The caller is trying to learn your personal information, such as your ID or credit card number.
• The caller is rude, insistent, or abusive during the call. They cite various consequences, financial or otherwise, if you do not comply with the request.

Prevention Tips

Here are a few things you can do to prevent damage:

• If you’re not expecting an important phone call, cut off communication by blocking the offending phone number. This might not be enough to stop the harassment, however, as the con artists might call you from other numbers.
• Know who you’re talking to – carefully scrutinize your correspondents to make sure they are who they claim to be. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions that might expose a liar.
• Do not share your personal details, such as phone numbers, pictures of ID or passport, or any other sensitive information with unverified parties.
• Maintain your composure at all times. Fraudsters will pressure you into making quick decisions with little time to process the implications.
• Change your online passwords frequently, and don’t use a single common password. This will make sure that any data leak you experience is localized to a single service.
• Never install applications from unverified sources – cybercriminals may try to abuse malicious software masked as a genuine product.
• If you’re already using remote access software for business purposes, and suspect unauthorized use, shut down your device immediately!

Finally, don’t give access to your computer to anyone you don’t know personally. Having a stranger rummage through your computer is bad enough, even if they don’t have any ill intentions whatsoever.

The Aftermath

I gave a scammer remote access to my computer; what now? This question is what every victim is going to ask. While prevention is indeed the best cure, there are some steps that could still be taken after the crime was committed:

• Immediately remove the remote access program from your device.
• Install software that can counter and remove malicious apps from your computer.
• Contact your bank or credit card issuer and let them know you need help securing your funds from potential fraudulent attacks.
• Keep an eye on your credit reports in order to promptly spot any unplanned or unexpected changes.
• Refer to local financial authorities and police for advice and help.

In addition, you can contact our chargeback experts, and we’ll review your case during a free consultation. Being a victim of an online scam is bad enough, but knowing that someone went through all your personal information and your apps is worse. Therefore, don’t hesitate to reach out and tell us what happened. Our experts will analyze the case and advise the best course of action today.