Four Things Reputable IT Support Services Will Never Do

By Chris A. Harmen

Many businesses rely on IT support whenever they have a technical, network or computer problem to overcome. Most of these companies partner with an outside company that they call only when or if they have a specific problem to address rather than keeping in touch with them on a daily basis. While it may seem practical and cost effective to call someone just when there is a problem, there are pitfalls to this approach that can put them at risk of scammers who prey on individuals or companies that don't have a regular, tech-savvy presence. These scammers take a variety of approaches, none of which would be used by a reliable, professional service. Watch out for these signs that you may be getting scammed.

Make An Unsolicited Call To Let You Know Your Computer Is Infected

An unsolicited phone call from someone claiming to be an IT support specialist should always be a red flag. Just how did they discover that your computer was infected or your network was compromised? Unless you call your tech help desk yourself, they shouldn't already know about a problem you aren't aware of. You should be calling them and telling them you suspect your machine might be infected, not the other way around.

Ask For Your Account Or Log-In Information

This works much the same as the fraudulent calls some people get asking for their bank account information or other personal information. Once you've given out that information, the caller can access all kinds of personal data and wipe out your bank account, your computer files and much more. If someone calls and claims to be from a help desk or IT support group, ask to call them back; in most cases, they will balk. Even if they give you a phone number, check it against the numbers listed on an official website; they've probably given you a bogus number.

Ask To Log In Remotely To Your Computer

Although there may be legitimate reasons for someone to log into your computer remotely, these reasons are few and far between, and this action should always be the result of your own call to IT support, never the result of an unsolicited call from them. Once you give someone you don't know access to your computer, they can literally do anything they like, including finding your log-ins and passwords, installing malware on your PC or crashing the system. They can even harvest your files for confidential information about your company's clients and associates.

Request Immediate Payment For IT Support Over The Phone

Reputable IT support services will bill you for the work they do; they won't demand credit card information up front before they will do the work. They also won't try to sell you additional services before they take care of your concerns. If they refuse to do the work unless you pay up front, it's a fairly safe bet they aren't who they are pretending to be.

To avoid problems regarding IT support for your business computers and network, interview several possible providers and choose one that fits your needs so that when you do have a problem, you'll know who to call.

VitalTech Solutions provides Chicago area businesses with vital technical support through partnerships based on common goals, expertise and proactive solutions. To learn more about VitalTech's Chicago IT support services, read about their experience and latest developments athttp://www.vitaltechsolutions.com/easyblog/latest.

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