This particular scam first appeared back in 2009, but it’s unfortunately started up again this month. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft and wanting to help you with a computer problem, do not purchase anything from them over the phone or allow them to remotely access your computer.

These phone scammers are doing exactly what the email scammers and phishers do – trying to trick you into giving up control over your financial and/or personal information that's stored on your computer.

Microsoft never makes unsolicited calls to its customers that involve charging for computer fixes, so if you receive a call like this, try to get the caller’s contact information by asking if you can call back, then pass that information on to UPD or other law enforcement agency.

You can read more about phone scams on the Microsoft website.