Got scammed 10K from somebody that said they were from Microsoft

Question

Today I opened my microsoft laptop and loud virus was attaching my laptop. The fix was to call a microsoft tech phone number. I did and within minutes the threat was removed. The so called microsoft tech indicated that I was owed $150 from Microsoft. He prepared a document with my personal information and started to collect and I'm thinking he is with Microsoft. He needed my bank account so that he could send the$150.I stupidly gave him access. He sent request to Bank of America for $150 but said I inadvertently added $10,000 dollars. He indicated that I should withdraw $9,600 and deposit to a local bit coin machine and deposit it. The whole time I foolishly thought he was from Microsoft but he was not. I'm out $9,600 and our savingsare gone. Not asking for sympathy. I Contact Bank of America and nothing they can do. I contacted Bit coin rep and asked if thy could assist since the money is still in the vault at the supermarket. Any suggestions????????

Moved from Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For education | iOS

Answer 1

Hello Francis Stanton

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum

I'm sorry to hear that you have fallen victim to the tech support scam, who falsely claim they were from Microsoft.

Please note that this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators and contributors, including external Microsoft employees, are not allowed to directly interfere with Microsoft product features or access back-end systems. Our role is limited solely to providing technical guidance on reported incidents, requests, or ideas.  

Since Q&A assist has already provided a set of possible action you could take, so please follow all of the suggestions above.

Also, please remember that Microsoft will never reach out to ask for access to your device or personal details. If you need help, always have to contact Microsoft through official support channels first.

Answer 2

It sounds like you have fallen victim to a tech support scam, which is unfortunately a common issue. Scammers often use tactics that involve creating a sense of urgency or fear to manipulate individuals into providing personal information or money. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Do Not Engage Further: If you have not already, cease all communication with the scammer. Do not provide any more personal information or money.
2. Contact Your Bank: Since you mentioned contacting Bank of America, it may be worth following up with them to see if they can provide any additional assistance or advice regarding the transaction. They might be able to help you with fraud protection measures.
3. Report the Scam: You can report the scam to Microsoft using their reporting tools. This helps them track and combat these scams. You can also report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
4. Monitor Your Accounts: Keep a close eye on your bank and credit accounts for any unauthorized transactions. Consider changing your passwords and enabling two-factor authentication where possible.
5. Seek Legal Advice: If you feel it is necessary, you might want to consult with a legal professional to explore your options regarding the loss of funds.
6. Educate Yourself on Scams: Familiarize yourself with common tech support scams and how to recognize them. Microsoft does not make unsolicited calls or ask for personal information in this manner.

For future reference, remember that Microsoft will never contact you to request access to your device or personal information. Always initiate contact through official channels if you need support.

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References:

• Tech support scams
• Who do I call for support?