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Is it a scam? Here’s how to tell.

Plain-English help for seniors, families, and anyone who has had a phone call, email or pop-up that didn’t feel right.

It already happened to me

If they contacted you first, hang up.

Then call the company yourself, using a number you already trust: the one on the back of your bank card, on a bill, or on the company’s own website. A real company will never mind. A scammer will.

Scams happening right now

These are the ones we hear about most in Calgary.

The “virus on your computer” call or pop-up

“This is Microsoft. Your computer is sending us errors.” Or a loud warning screen with a phone number to call.

The truth: Microsoft, Apple and your internet company never call you about a virus. A real warning never shows a phone number. Close the window or turn the computer off.

The bank or tax call

“Your account has been hacked. Move your money to a safe account.” Or: “You owe taxes to the CRA. Pay today or the police will come.”

The truth: Your bank will never ask you to move money or read out a code. The CRA never takes gift cards or bitcoin, and never threatens arrest by phone.

The grandchild in trouble

“Grandma, it’s me. I’m in trouble and I need money. Please don’t tell Mom.”

The truth: Scammers can now copy a voice from a short video online. Hang up and call your family member on the number you always use. A family code word helps too.

The text about a parcel or refund

“Your parcel is on hold. Pay $1.99 here to release it.”

The truth: The link is there to steal your card number. Don’t tap links in texts you weren’t expecting. Go to the company’s website yourself.

The online friend who needs help

Someone you met online, who is lovely and always has a reason they can’t meet, suddenly needs money or wants you to invest.

The truth: If you have never met someone face to face, never send them money. Not once, not a little.

The prize or “sure thing” investment

“You’ve won! Just pay the fee.” Or: “Guaranteed returns with cryptocurrency.”

The truth: A real prize never costs money to collect. Nobody can guarantee an investment.

Six warning signs

If you notice even one of these, stop and check before you do anything.

  • They contacted you first, out of the blue.
  • They say you have to act right now.
  • They ask you to keep it secret, even from family.
  • They want gift cards, bitcoin, a wire transfer, or cash at a bitcoin machine.
  • They want to connect to your computer or have you install an app.
  • They ask for a password, or a code that was just sent to your phone.

How to know it’s really us

Scammers sometimes pretend to be local companies. Here is exactly how Rhiza Tech Consulting works, so you can tell the difference.

We will never

  • Call you out of the blue about a virus or a problem with your computer.
  • Ask for gift cards, bitcoin or a wire transfer.
  • Ask for your card number by phone, email or text.
  • Ask for your passwords or a code sent to your phone.
  • Connect to your computer unless you contacted us first and asked for help.

We always

  • Take bookings and payments through Square only.
  • Use one remote support tool, REMOTE TOOL NAME, and only when you started the conversation.
  • Tell you the price before any work starts.
  • Happily let you end the call and reach us yourself by email through our Contact page.

If someone says they are from Rhiza Tech and asks for anything on the “never” list, it isn’t us. Hang up and let us know.

Already clicked, paid, or let someone in?

It happens to smart, careful people every day. These are professional criminals. Do these things now, in this order.

  1. Stop contact. Hang up. If they were on your computer, turn it off by holding down the power button.
  2. Call your bank using the number on the back of your card. Tell them exactly what happened.
  3. Change your passwords from a different phone or computer. Start with your email and your banking.
  4. Report it. Report the crime to the Calgary Police Service, then to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. You can start both online.
  5. Have your computer checked before you use it for banking again. We can clean it and make sure it’s safe.
Report to Calgary Police Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

If you are in danger, or a crime is happening right now, call 911.

Not sure a tool is really from us?We publish every tool we use. If someone claiming to be us asks you to install anything else, it isn’t us.See our tool list

Not sure about something? Ask us before you act.

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