Scam Alert: Houston County Sheriff Warns of Pop-Ups – 41NBC News

If you have been the victim of a scam like this, call the Houston County Sheriff’s Office at (478) 542-2000 to file a report.

HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. (41NBC/WMGT) — The Houston County Sheriff’s Office is warning of a scam you may see while browsing the web.

According to Sheriff Cullen Talton, it’s a scary pop-up message that tells you your computer has been infected with a virus. Scammers may also try to trick you into calling them by pretending to be a tech company, like Microsoft, and threatening to cut off your internet access. The scam may also show up in your inbox.

In a social media post, Sheriff Talton advised ignoring these alerts. This includes the loud, blaring warnings that repeat over and over. Talton also reminded residents that tech companies will never call you to tell you they’ve detected a problem and ask you to remotely access your computer. As for emails, delete the message and move on.

But what if the alert doesn’t go away when you close your Internet browser? The Houston County Sheriff says you can try restarting your computer. Hold down the power button for 20 seconds and let the device shut down completely. Then, turn it back on. If you still see an alert on your screen, contact a local IT service company.

If you have been the victim of a scam like this, call the Houston County Sheriff’s Office at (478) 542-2000 to file a report.