The FBI has issued a warning in response to a surge of new tech support scams that attempt to trick unsuspecting users into paying their hard-earned money

As reported by Bleeping Computer, the US government agency sounded the alarm on a series of new tech support scams in a public service announcement posted on the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

Unlike malicious apps and other cyber threats that target a broader audience, tech support scams primarily target seniors through phone calls, emails, phishing emails, and misleading pop-up windows

You may not necessarily be the primary target of this type of scam, but someone in your family could be This is why the FBI is warning people about this new series of tech support scams that use unique methods to put cash in the hands of cybercriminals

Tech support scams often begin with a message or email purporting to be friendly For example, scammers warn potential targets about fraudulent activity associated with their accounts or promise to refund subscription fees Whatever the lure, a phone number is provided and the target is prompted to call that number for additional assistance

Once on the phone with the scammer, the potential victim is persuaded to download and install remote access software that will give the scammer complete control over the computer From here, the scammer persuades the victim to log into a bank account and deposit a large sum of money into it The scammer then asks the victim to wire the extra cash because if they do not, they may lose their job

In the past, scammers have had victims send this extra money back via bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards However, the modus operandi of this latest tech support scam is a bit different

According to the FBI, scammers now instruct victims to "send money in cash, wrapped in a magazine, or similarly concealed, via a shipping company to a name and address provided by the scammer Unlike other methods of sending money, if you willingly send cash in the manner described above, you cannot call your bank and say you have been scammed

At the same time, the target risks falling victim to a juggling attack when obtaining the cash to send to the scammer For those unfamiliar with the term, jugging is a real-world attack in which someone follows you after you withdraw money from a bank or ATM in order to rob you In this case, the victim could be assaulted or robbed outside the bank

To protect yourself and your loved ones from tech support scams, the FBI recommends several things

First, never download software to your computer at the behest of a stranger who contacts you via text message, email, or phone call Likewise, you should not allow them to take control of your computer, especially under the guise of helping you solve a computer problem

You also should avoid clicking on pop-ups that appear on websites that warn you that something is wrong with your computer The same goes for links sent to you via text message, social media, or email

Most importantly, however, never call the phone number listed in an email or message that arrives in your inbox from an unknown sender Cybercriminals prefer to play on your emotions by creating a sense of urgency to increase the likelihood that you will call the phone number provided

In the unlikely event that you encounter a tech support scam, we recommend that you immediately report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center so that others may be aware of the precautions to take Also, if you are a victim of a tech support scam, you may want to consider investing in the best identity theft protection available, as hackers can steal your identity

Technical support scams are one of the oldest tricks in the book, and while the scam itself may not change much, the way the cybercriminals behind it steal money from their victims can change, as we have seen here For this reason, we need to remain vigilant when checking our e-mails, messages, and even when browsing the Web