Microsoft outage: UK warns of fake IT support calls

The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued a warning to the public regarding fraudulent attempts to impersonate IT support or Microsoft following a global Microsoft system outage. The NCSC cautioned that scammers often exploit significant news events to gain people's trust and pressure them into acting hastily. They recommended vigilance against scam calls and approaches impersonating IT help desks or Microsoft, and directed users to their website for guidance on recognizing and reporting suspicious messages and calls.

Cybercriminals frequently impersonate trusted entities such as banks, government agencies, businesses, and technical support providers. They now utilize more convincing language and professional communications to deceive individuals. The NCSC listed several warning signs that could indicate an attempt to defraud someone, including authority claims, urgency, emotional manipulation, scarcity tactics, and exploiting current events.

The NCSC advised individuals to contact organizations directly using verified contact details, obtain contact information from official websites, and avoid clicking links in suspicious communications. They also urged users to be cautious about sharing personal information online and to review privacy settings on social media accounts.