It has been almost one month since Jason fell victim to an internet pop-up scam and still he feels like the "stupidest person in the world".
Loading Facebook on his PC early one Sunday morning, Jason (who has asked not to use his surname) was met with an alert purporting to be from Microsoft, requesting he contact them immediately as his ISP was being compromised.
More WA News Videos
- Video duration
- 01:39
Checklist to avoid being scammed
Checklist to avoid being scammed
Consumer Protection's guide to avoid becoming the victim of a scam.
Up Next
Where is the wet weather?
- Video duration
- 00:29
- Video duration
- 00:29
Where is the wet weather?
Where is the wet weather?
As a small amount of rain falls in Perth after a long dry spell, will it be a wet weekend?
Up Next
Riot at Banksia Hill Detention Centre
- Video duration
- 01:55
- Video duration
- 01:55
Riot at Banksia Hill Detention Centre
Riot at Banksia Hill Detention Centre
More trouble has erupted at the Banksia Hill Detention Centre overnight, with seven inmates rioting for almost two hours. Vision: Nine News Perth.
Up Next
Perth's crime bloopers
- Video duration
- 00:59
- Video duration
- 00:59
Perth's crime bloopers
Perth's crime bloopers
WA Police are some of the hardest workers in the state, but it's cases like these which can help them solve crimes quicker than expected.
Up Next
Amazing footage at the Nurse's Quarters
- Video duration
- 00:30
- Video duration
- 00:30
Amazing footage at the Nurse's Quarters
Amazing footage at the Nurse's Quarters
Explorer and photographer Jacquie McGhie took this amazing footage in a place known as 'The Nurse's Quarters' - a known hot spot off the West End to see grey nurse sharks.
Up Next
Marmion Avenue improved traffic flow
- Video duration
- 00:49
- Video duration
- 00:49
Marmion Avenue improved traffic flow
Marmion Avenue improved traffic flow
Works to improve traffic flow and safety along Marmion Avenue are now complete. Vision: Main Roads Western Australia.
Up Next
Cyclist hit by car in Fremantle
- Video duration
- 01:11
- Video duration
- 01:11
Cyclist hit by car in Fremantle
Cyclist hit by car in Fremantle
Police are trying to work out who was at fault after a teenager was hit by car while riding in Fremantle. Vision: Nine News Perth.
Up Next
Pregnant woman threatened
- Video duration
- 01:18
- Video duration
- 01:18
Pregnant woman threatened
Pregnant woman threatened
Police say the man rammed a car, threatened a pregnant woman and slashed an elderly man with an axe. Vision: Nine News Perth.
Checklist to avoid being scammed
Consumer Protection's guide to avoid becoming the victim of a scam.
"I got through to 'Microsoft' who then transferred me to the 'technicians'. They are extremely smooth talkers, carefully explaining that my ISP had been hacked, so my anti-virus software couldn't pick it up," said Jason, 44.
"They wanted to show me how it was getting into my system so they requested remote access. Stupidly, I acquiesced."
The alleged technicians told Jason he would need to pay a standard $US499 fee to complete the necessary repairs.
"Then they proceeded to explain that this was a one-off fix, and I may be hacked anytime again, so they offered me $US1458.99 packages to future proof my system, because it covered me for three years," Jason said.
"They confirmed the agreement remotely, using a digital signature. They had full control of my computer at this stage and were moving very quickly...and the payment went through."
Internet pop-up scams that ask victims to call a fake 1800 support line to repair a computer error have netted more than $41,000 in consumer losses this year alone.
Known as remote access scams, internet pop-up windows ask victims to urgently call a 1800 number to repair a software error.
Complaints about such scams to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in 2017 have averaged around 300 a month, with Australians aged over 45 the most likely to encounter losses.
"These scammers are very convincing and sound like they're the real deal when talking about tech issues," said ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard.
"Lots of people aren't that tech savvy and don't realise Microsoft, Telstra and Apple are never monitoring your computer to see if you have problems."
Once a victim calls, the scammer on the line requests remote access to the computer to investigate the issue.
If access is granted the scammer is able to install malicious software, steal personal data or con a victim into paying for unnecessary software.
"These pop-ups can often seemingly freeze your computer and clicking the close button on your browser often doesn't work. This tricks people into thinking there really is a problem," Ms Rickard said.
She said consumers should always avoid calling any listed number and close the pop-up if possible.
For PC users, closing the window can be done manually through Windows Task Manager, and for Mac users by using the Activity Monitor. The window can also be closed by shutting down and restarting the computer.
Ms Rickard urged consumers to familiarise themselves with the ACCC's Little Black Book of Scams, which offers information on how to spot and avoid scams.
"Never, ever give anyone remote access to your computer....as a result of a pop-up."
Jason said it was only after he had agreed to the additional $1498.99 "future proofing package" that he realised there was something "fishy".
"I was able to back out of the future proofing but was still duped into the $499 one-off fix," he said.
"They are really clever because they have such a legitimate operation and they appear very helpful. I can't believe I got sucked into this."