Some residents and Bank of America staff report an uptick in a common scam designed to get you to pay.  A popup screen suddenly claims that your computer is infected, and you must call a telephone number or click on a link and must not turn off your computer to address the virus.  It is a scam!  Microsoft, McAfee and other security programs do not use these popups.  The solution is to turn off your computer (restart it or shut it down).  When it restarts, your computer will generally eliminate the malware causing the issue.

Where does this malware come from?  It loads onto your computer from a website through your browser (e.g. Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari).  Since the popup is a bot playing in your browser, shutting down the computer will wipe out the malware.  If that doesn’t work, call IT.  Be careful what websites you use.  Although the virus popup is a form of malware, it can come from a Facebook or other social media site, because black-hat hackers try to “plant” their malware all over the internet.

Other common scams still circulating include the bogus unpaid traffic ticket, false unpaid EZpass fees, fraudulent jury duty failure to appear, scam held up delivery and last chance to claim your prize ripoff.  All of these share an urgent demand that you click on a link or call a telephone number that may seem legitimate, but is not.  The fraudsters will say that you will suffer arrest, fines or other painful punishments unless you pay in bitcoin, gift cards or money transfer.  If you get a suspicious email, text or popup, NEVER click on the link or call the number.  Federal, state and court authorities and delivery services will not demand payment by text or email.  When in doubt about any demand for payment or threat of computer infection, talk to Security or IT before doing anything else.

Ed Appel, Co-Chair, Safety-Security Committee