Beware of Computer Lock Virus Scams: A Cautionary Tale

Recently, my wife encountered a troubling situation that I believe many individuals might experience: the notorious “your computer has been locked” virus. This alarming pop-up urged her to call a number—833-324-0303—which supposedly connected her to Microsoft support.

Upon reaching out, she spoke with an individual who claimed to represent Microsoft. Understanding the signs of a scam, I advised her to simply restart her computer.

When she inquired about how to find this representative’s official website, he ominously replied, “This is the way we do it—having a site doesn’t help.” This statement raised red flags, as legitimate support services would have an established online presence.

Fortunately, after rebooting her Apple computer, the warning vanished, restoring normal functionality. I’ve encountered similar incidents on my Windows machines every couple of years, and, like in this instance, a simple restart has always resolved the issue.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences related to this type of computer scam. Have you faced a similar situation? How do you typically handle it?

Thank you for sharing!