Title: Laptop Lockout: My Alarming Encounter with a Scam
Written on
Chapter 1: The Startling Incident
This morning, I woke up to an alarming situation on my laptop that I never expected to face. Imagine starting your day with a message blaring, “YOU ARE LOCKED OUT.” It was quite a shock, especially while enjoying my first cup of tea.
As soon as I entered my password, a full-screen alert popped up, supposedly from Microsoft, and it appeared genuine. To make matters worse, I couldn't find a way to mute the sound, which only heightened my anxiety. The first logical thought that crossed my mind was that I had been hacked or scammed—perhaps both.
To regain my composure, I decided to shut my laptop by closing it, giving me a moment to think clearly. Although I’m not a tech expert, I instinctively tried the Ctrl, Alt, Delete combination to resolve the issue, but it was futile.
Section 1.1: Common Scams Alert
Many of us are familiar with the common warning: “Your computer has been locked for your protection due to suspicious activity.” Living in Kansas, I assumed everyone had heard about this scam by now, but just in case you haven’t, let me clarify—THIS IS A SCAM.
You’ll likely see a number with an 800 or 888 prefix claiming to be Microsoft. Curiosity got the better of me, and I called it. I ended up speaking to a seemingly pleasant woman, who, despite the crowing rooster in the background, guided me through a series of keystrokes.
Subsection 1.1.1: A Deceptive Plan
Photo by Onur Binay on Unsplash
With her gaining remote access to my laptop, she quickly pulled up a list of programs I had running, most of which were flagged as ‘not allowed.’ Although she assured me this indicated I had been hacked, I felt increasingly uneasy.
Then came the peak of her deception: “As you can see, Mrs. Winter, these are our plans to protect you from hackers. Given your subscription to Microsoft, you’ll need our comprehensive plan for just $550.”
Section 1.2: Realization and Action
At this moment, I recognized it as a scam. I told her I needed to consult the Geek Squad before making any decisions. She attempted to dissuade me, claiming they wouldn’t be able to assist. I ended the call and immediately contacted the Geek Squad, who resolved the issue within a minute and ran a thorough virus scan to ensure everything was back to normal.
Chapter 2: How to Handle Similar Situations
If you find yourself in a similar predicament, here’s what to do:
- Do NOT call the provided number!
- Close or power down any devices connected to the internet.
- Simultaneously press Ctrl, Alt, and Delete.
- If that fails, hold the power button for 20 seconds to shut down the device.
- If all else fails, turn off your Wi-Fi for a few minutes before rebooting.
According to the Geek Squad, following any of these steps should eliminate the scam screen and restore your devices to normal operation.
Have you ever encountered a situation like this? If so, how did you manage to escape it? Your experiences can help others navigate the online world safely.
Thank you all for reading and sharing your thoughts.