Remote Tech Support: Is there a chance they are conning me?

Is there a chance they are conning me?

I’m one of those people who want to believe that everyone has my best interests in mind. At first glance, you might think I’m naïve. If so, you’d be wrong. I want to believe that everyone has my best interest in mind but I understand that this isn’t always the case. I know that con artists are out there. I also know that the Internet is the perfect environment for scams.

Your concern over remote technicians conning you has merit. After all, they’re asking you for payment upfront and they’re asking you for permission to connect to your computer. Sheesh! Not only is there a risk of identity theft, you could be paying for the privilege!

So, does this mean that remote technical support is a scam? Absolutely not. Most online tech support companies are legitimate companies service a valid need. Like any online transaction, you should be careful. A few questions to consider are:

How did you hear about the company? Did you read a positive review at a reputable source such as CNET or PC Magazine or did you click a pop-up ad?
Do they have a privacy policy? What does it say? Read the privacy policy carefully to find out exactly what they can access and how they plan to use your personal information.
Is the site secure? When it comes time to pay for services, is the site secure? Look for “https” in the address bar or a locked padlock in the Web browser’s status bar.
Is the remote support Web site part of a trusted company?

Remote tech support offers a terrific way to optimize and repair your computer without having to take it to a computer repair store. By connecting to your computer remotely, a technician can explore your system’s configuration, install security software, remove computer viruses and spyware, and much more. Throughout the process, you can watch the computer screen and see exactly what they are doing.

If you’re concerned about the remote technician viewing your banking or other sensitive information, you’d likely have these same concerns when dropping off your computer at the local computer repair store for several days - all unsupervised.

Most companies are in business to provide legitimate services not scam you. Unfortunately, a few bad apples make it necessary to use caution, especially when handing over control of your PC. When choosing a remote technical support service, you should be aware of the risks and actively seek a service that has your best interests in mind. Check reputable sources for recommendations and read each potential tech support company’s privacy policy. If you’re uncomfortable, keep looking.