Microsoft warns users of 'tech support' call scam

Microsoft is again warning Internet users of a sophisticated scam, with the company most notably discussing tech support scams. In this particular type of scam, a caller will be informed of an infected laptop or PC, which can be cleaned up if the user pays a "hefty fee" for service.

A scammer that ran this type of Microsoft tech support scam operation in the UK and received a four-month suspended sentence - a lenient sentence that he likely wouldn't have received in the United States - with many scammers going unchecked by law enforcement.

"What's really alarming is that this type of scam shows no signs of slowing down," Microsoft said in a blog post. "Increasingly, we hear via our frontline support team, and even from friends and family, that these scammers are getting bolder, targeting not only individuals but also businesses. It is appalling that they're taking advantage of your trust in Microsoft in an attempt to steal your money. It's immoral, it's disrespectful and it's certainly illegal."

Many scammers are extremely opportunistic about their behaviors, including coordinated tax scams against regular users and medical doctors.