Telephone Tech Support Scams

Tech support scams on the phone are common social engineering attacks otherwise known as "Vishing".

These social engineering attacks start in one of two ways:

1. Malware on your machine prompts you to call a number for "Support"
2. Someone cold calls your phone and tells you they are from "Support"

These alleged support staff associate themselves with the name of a particular company to give you the idea that what they're offering is legitimate; these attackers often pose as "Microsoft Support" "Apple Support" and even "University Support" and sometimes simply "IT Support".

Impact of these social engineering attacks vary, but most are after either your login information to sensitive accounts or finacial details such as:

• Credit Cards
• Banking Information
• Online payment vendor information (such as Paypal or Stripe accounts)

Giving any information to these criminals can lead to serious financial impact or fraudulent activity.

If you believe you've been infected with Malware that is asking you to call a phone number, please visit our Anti-virus and Anti-malware support page.

In any support case, do not attempt to negotiate with IT support vendors that do not have a verifiable, physical location in the city.

If your computer is maintained by the University of Regina IT Support, please contact them with any and all issues. If your computer is not maintained by IT Support, you can choose to visit on campus vendors for IT support.

View our Anti-virus and Anti-malware support page.

Visit the Government of Canada Anti-Fraud website for more information on tech support scams.

You can also read more about common phone scams at the Microsoft Blog

Please contact the IT Support Centre if you require assistance:

In person at ED 137 or Archer Library Main Floor Commons

Phone 306-585-4685
Email IT.Support@uregina.ca
Webform https://www.uregina.ca/is/forms/ticket.html
In person at ED 137 or Archer Library Main Floor Commons