miller_Barb

Q: A security alert is requesting I call 808-725-3292, is this a valid Mac Support number?

I received a security alert while browsing the internet. It has locked my MacBook and asks that I call Mac Support at 808-725-3292. I have searched Apple for that number to verify if it is a valid support number or a scam. I can't find it listed. Is this valid, what do I do?

Posted on Aug 7, 2015 10:01 AM

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Q: A security alert is requesting I call 808-725-3292, is this a valid Mac Support number?

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  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Aug 7, 2015 10:02 AM in response to miller_Barb
    Level 9 (55,477 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 7, 2015 10:02 AM in response to miller_Barb

    No. It's a scam.

     

    Force quit the browser.

  • by Niel,Solvedanswer

    Niel Niel Aug 7, 2015 10:02 AM in response to miller_Barb
    Level 10 (312,620 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 7, 2015 10:02 AM in response to miller_Barb

    It's a scam. Choose Force Quit from the Apple menu, close Safari, and then launch it with the Shift key held down. If the message reappears, disconnect the computer from the Internet for long enough to erase that site from the browser history.


    It's possible but unlikely that this issue is caused by adware; if so, download and run MalwareBytes for Mac, using a different web browser if needed.


    (131388)

  • by miller_Barb,

    miller_Barb miller_Barb Aug 7, 2015 10:10 AM in response to miller_Barb
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 7, 2015 10:10 AM in response to miller_Barb

    I called the Mac Store when they opened this morning. It is a scam and I can't get rid of the message requiring a trip to the store to have it cleaned! I'd like to hang these folks by their XXXXX!

  • by miller_Barb,

    miller_Barb miller_Barb Aug 7, 2015 10:14 AM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 7, 2015 10:14 AM in response to Niel

    Thanks for the advice, just saved a trip and saved money too!

  • by Cassandrak89,

    Cassandrak89 Cassandrak89 Aug 12, 2015 3:03 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 12, 2015 3:03 PM in response to Niel

    My dad had gotten this message on his laptop and he had also called the number and gave them the error code and he told me that they had remotely accessed his computer.  I told him to immediately shut it off and not turn the laptop on.  Could anyone tell me what I could do from this point? Do I take all the pictures and documents off the computer and clean sweep it? Or do I bring it to an authorized dealer to have it cleaned? If anyone could give me advice on this!

    I am completely lost!!! Thanks in advance!

  • by acverma,

    acverma acverma Aug 13, 2015 9:33 AM in response to miller_Barb
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 13, 2015 9:33 AM in response to miller_Barb

    Hey, so I had the exact same thing happen to me last night. Except in the state of panic and lack of sleep, I went ahead and force quit several times and re-started my computer, only to find that the safari upon opening still gave several alerts. I didn't know what else to do so i called the number... got through the call and some guy assisted me and made it seem all very professional etc.... basically he got into my computer screen and helped me get out of the alert etc. and told me about some Koobface virus in my computer. Asked me a few times the use of my computer and what I generally do on it.

    Then he said he had to talk to his senior consultant as far as how to approach the fixing of the viruses in my laptop. Took a few minutes (I am afraid in those few minutes he basically hacked everything in my computer??)

    At the end of the few minutes, he opened my notepad and stated I had to pay $198 advanced fixation tools, and right then (I am so stupid, should have realized this sooner) figured that this was a big hoax/scam and I got blazed by a hacker. I said I will not be paying that fee at this moment as I share this computer with my husband. I also asked what these tools were so I could do some research. He said no that would be a bad move as my computer may or may not turn on because of the viruses and its strongly advised I proceed to purchase the tools. I refused. He mumbled a little bit (had a bit of an Indian accent) so I couldn't understand what he said but I saw that he proceeded to open my FaceTime app on my computer, and I moved it immediately to face the wall. Strangest thing ever I asked why he was opening FaceTime on my computer... he mumbled again and disconnected my call. I panicked and turned my laptop off immediately. Turned my wifi off incase he was still tapped in.

     

    How screwed am I? What can I do to fix this? I feel so violated and stupid all at once unnamed-2.jpgunnamed-1.jpgunnamed.jpg

    I am attaching 2-3 images of the things I got from the convo.

  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Aug 13, 2015 9:47 AM in response to acverma
    Level 9 (55,477 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 13, 2015 9:47 AM in response to acverma

    Erase the hard drive and re-install OS X. Restore your data from a backup made prior to the intrusion.

    Change ALL of your passwords.

    Notify your bank and contest the charges on your card, and have the card replaced as it's been compromised.

    It would probably be a good idea to sign up for identity theft protection as well and possibly report the incident to the police.

  • by acverma,

    acverma acverma Aug 13, 2015 10:13 AM in response to KiltedTim
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 13, 2015 10:13 AM in response to KiltedTim

    No charges on any of my bank accounts, yet thank god.

    I downloaded norton immediately and ran a scan with that.

     

    Changed bank account passwords. There is no way of tracking who these people are/company it is by just the number, right?

  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Aug 13, 2015 10:21 AM in response to acverma
    Level 9 (55,477 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 13, 2015 10:21 AM in response to acverma

    Norton is completely worthless. The longer you delay, the worse the problem could potentially be. Your machine is compromised. ALL of the information on your machine has potentially been compromised.

  • by thomas_r.,

    thomas_r. thomas_r. Aug 14, 2015 5:27 AM in response to acverma
    Level 7 (30,919 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 14, 2015 5:27 AM in response to acverma

    Because you gave remote access to a scammer, your computer should be considered compromised. You will need to do exactly as KiltedTim has advised. Trying to install Norton as a means of avoiding the unpleasantness of wiping your system clean will not work.

  • by Christoph Vonrhein,

    Christoph Vonrhein Christoph Vonrhein Aug 17, 2015 3:44 PM in response to acverma
    Level 1 (40 points)
    Aug 17, 2015 3:44 PM in response to acverma

    Please excuse my language.... but:

     

    I can't believe how people can be!

     

    - Apple will never ever "warn" you about viruses or malware. That's not Apple's job.

    - They will never ask you to call any kind of a number.

    - A domain like "apple-secure.info" is definitely NOT from Apple. Apple's domain is: "apple.com". That's it!!!

    - Apple will not ask you to pay almost $200 to fix any kind of problem that does not even exist.

    - Even if Apple would do try to keep you safe, then they would not do it by bugging you with a popup window that reappears every time you close it.

    - And most importantly: Stay away from those websites that you were trying to access. These scammers are placing their scripts only on illegal webpages that "provide" you with p*rn, torrents files and other things like bootleg copies of commercial software. What were you trying to access when this popup was showing up?

     

    <Edited By Host>

  • by thomas_r.,

    thomas_r. thomas_r. Aug 14, 2015 5:47 PM in response to Christoph Vonrhein
    Level 7 (30,919 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 14, 2015 5:47 PM in response to Christoph Vonrhein

    It is not necessary to visit p0rn sites or piracy sites to see these kinds of pop-ups.

     

    As for calling other people stupid, let's see you back here when you can honestly say that you've never made a mistake before.

  • by Doralv13,

    Doralv13 Doralv13 Nov 28, 2015 4:54 AM in response to miller_Barb
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 28, 2015 4:54 AM in response to miller_Barb

    this just happened to me! I got the pop up and freaked. after I made the call I regretted. But thankfully im broke and I didn't give them my card to pay for anything. I'm currently erasing and reinstalling OS X Yosemite and changed all my passwords. Hopefully the bank is open today. Since I bought this laptop about 2  months ago, it didn't have much of my personal info. But I'm still being cautious and trying to take every protective measure I can for my stupidity.

  • by tom1567929,

    tom1567929 tom1567929 Feb 2, 2016 12:43 PM in response to miller_Barb
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 2, 2016 12:43 PM in response to miller_Barb

    Hi, I had the same pop-up.

     

    I force quit the browser and didn't call the number. I also installed walwarebytes and that couldn't find anything.

     

    Is my mac clean?

    I assume long as you don't call the number and click some kind of pop-up to give them access to the computer then your okay.

    Am I correct in thinking this?

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