The Evolution and Impact of Tech Support Scams: A Comprehensive Overview
Tech support scams involve criminals impersonating technical support personnel to trick individuals into believing their computers are compromised by viruses or hackers, leading to financial theft. These scams, which began over a decade ago, have significantly evolved and diversified. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the number of tech support scam cases grew by 13%, and the average financial loss per victim increased by 140% compared to 2019, rising from $4K to $9.5K. The most recent statistics states that victims reported the highest average financial loss to tech support scams in 2022, with losses averaging $24.8K per victim.