A tech support rep calls and offers to fix a computer bug you haven’t even noticed, or a popup warning appears on the screen instructing you to dial a number for help. In this con, scammers pose as tech support employees of well-known computer companies and hassle victims into paying for their “support.” 

Within the last year BBB Serving Central Indiana has received numerous Scam Tracker reports from consumers losing more than $5,000 to tech scams. 

How the?Scam?Works: 

A call comes through on the Caller ID, a popup on the computer screen or you receive an email from someone claiming to be with tech support from a well-known software company. Microsoft, Comcast, Norton and Dell are all popular choices. The scammer ceates a sense of urgency—the computer is sending error messages, they've detected a virus, or your computer is about to crash causing a massive loss of data! 

Rest assured the tech support employee can fix the problem but only if they're allowed to remote access the troubled machine. Once access is granted, the caller will often run a “scan” and claim the computer is infected with viruses. The offer is made to fix and repair the machine for a fee. That may not be the end of the scam. If you allow remote access, malware may be installed on your machine. Malware often scans files in search of personal information, which scammers then use to commit identity theft.? 

According to a recent BBB Scam Tracker report, a Bloomington woman reported losing $1,400 to this tech scam. She called the number in a pop-up message after her computer screen went black. At the time, she believed she was speaking to a technician at Microsoft. “He then told me that he will download an ad blocker Adguard and cleaner and charged me $699 for the software - I thought this was a good way for me to protect my information online, so I wrote out a check for $699.” Later, she realized additional charges had been taken from her account and that’s when she knew she had been scammed. She is now taking steps to shut down her bank account and file a police report.  

Tips to spot this scam:

• Never give control of your computer?to a third party unless you are absolutely certain it is the representative of a computer support team?you initiated contacted. 

• Legitimate tech support companies don’t make unsolicited phone calls. A popular way for thieves to get in touch with victims is through cold calls. The callers often claim to be from a tech company. Scammers do and they can spoof official looking phone numbers, so don’t trust Caller ID. 

• Look out for warning screens:?Nearly half of tech support scams begin with an alert on the victim’s computer screen. This pop up will have a phone number to call for help. Instead, disconnect from the internet and wi-fi connection by? shutting off the device and restart it with an antiviral scan. 

• Be wary of sponsored links.?When searching online for tech support, look out for sponsored ads at the top of the results list. Many of these links lead to businesses that scam consumers. 

• Avoid clicking on links in unfamiliar emails.?Scammers also use email to reach victims. These messages point consumers to scam websites that launch pop-ups with the fake warnings and phone numbers. 

If you are a victim of a tech support scam: 

• Contact the bank immediately to report the incident and describe exactly what happened. 

• Take the laptop, tablet, mobile device, or computer that was infected to a trusted local business and have it checked out. 

• Remove any software that authorized remote access to the device. 

• Change all of the passwords used to access bank accounts, social media and other websites that contain personal information.? 

• File a report with?BBB Scam Tracker?and with law enforcement authorities, such as the FTC? 

Learn how to protect yourself, go to “10 Steps to Avoid Scams” and?sign up for scam alerts.? 

Learn more about?BBB Accreditation Standards?and?BBB Standards for Trust. 

Read BBB's complete study?with more details on who is behind tech support scams, how they are requesting money, and whom they are victimizing, as well as BBB’s recommendations for dealing with the problem.

The Northwest Shelby County Concerned Citizens Coalition submitted the following invitation to the public to meet candidates for Shelby County Commission / Council at an event on March 5.

The Northwest Shelby County Concerned Citizens Coalition will meet on Saturday, March 5, at the Fairland Fire Station, 400 West Carey Street, 1:00 to 3:00 pm. All candidates for County Commissioner and County Councilor who will be running for office in this election have been invited to speak, and Shelby County citizens from the entire county are invited and encouraged to attend.

The primary election is May 3, and for candidates with opponents of the same political party, the primary is THE election. Voters in Shelby County, and especially those in the northwest quadrant, have had some real issues to monitor. The NWSC-CCC has grown to hundreds of citizens since its inception in January.

In the past, many residents had no idea who they would vote for until they arrived at the voting booth. This is the chance to know the candidates and make an informed decision at the polls. It’s also the chance to let the candidates hear what you have to say.

You are important. Your viewpoint is important. Your property values and your quality of life are important. The future of this county is important. That’s what this is about.

To submit a question in advance, please email to: nwsc-ccc@outlook.com or call Donna Dugan at 317-213-6804.

The NWSC-CCC is a group of citizens advocating for transparency and integrity from our political leaders. We appreciate the candidates taking time to meet with their neighbors and potential constituents.

The Indiana FFA Association and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture will celebrate all things blue and gold for National FFA Week from February 19 - 26, 2022. National FFA Week remembers more than 94 years of FFA tradition and history while also highlighting and celebrating the success stories of the 735,000 members of the national organization.

“I am incredibly proud of the work FFA members do year-round to support and promote Indiana agriculture,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Secretary of Agriculture. “National FFA Week is a great opportunity for our FFA members to show their community, schools and neighbors what FFA and serving others is all about. I am excited to see the work completed by these young leaders during this weeklong celebration.”

Starting in 1948, the National FFA Board of Directors designated a weeklong celebration to recognize George Washington’s example and legacy as a leader and farmer. For the past 74 years, FFA members across the country have taken part in agricultural, leadership and service-based activities during National FFA Week.

“FFA has a strong history in agriculture and in community service,” said Bruce Kettler, Indiana State Department of Agriculture director. “This week is a great opportunity for FFA members to give back to their community and their school and to recruit new members to join this outstanding organization.”

Tamara Ketchen, Director of the Indiana FFA Association, is looking forward to seeing all the work done this week in FFA chapters across the state.

“National FFA Week is a time for local chapters to highlight their programs showcasing their success and passion for agriculture,” Ketchen said. “We also use this as an opportunity to recognize community supporters and broadcast the mission of the organization.”

During the week, chapters host a variety of events to educate, advocate and celebrate the agricultural industry. From a school petting zoo to a farmer’s breakfast, these activities pay homage to the dedication and commitment of today’s agriculturalists. During National FFA Week, the Indiana FFA State Officers travel the state to participate in activities with local FFA chapters and their communities.

FFA encourages the next generation of leaders who will change the world. FFA members are our future leaders, our future food suppliers, our future innovators and more! Whether it is through service projects or community gatherings, National FFA Week is a time for FFA members to raise awareness about agricultural education and the role the National FFA Organization plays in the development of agriculture's future leaders.

The Shelby County Chamber is hosting the first of two Legislative Updates this year. Chamber members and the community are invited to the Friday, February 18 lunch meeting. The lunch will begin at noon in the lower level of the Blue Bear Golf Club in Shelbyville. State Senators Jean Leising and Michael Crider will be speaking at the luncheon.

“The Legislative Luncheons are always a popular event hosted by the Shelby County Chamber.  These important meeting give our business community and county residents a chance to hear present Leising and Crider talk about important bills that will impact us. Leising and Crider are eager to answer questions from the audience.

Simply submit your questions to the Shelby County Chamber at chamberinfo@shelbychamber.net. All questions must be submitted prior to the meeting. Be specific when asking your questions so the limited time we have can be used wisely. We ask that everyone be respectful,”  said Nathan Runnebohm, President of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.

Lunch is free to Shelby County Chamber members, and $10 for non-members. The Blue Bear Golf Club will be providing the lunch. If you plan to attend, please RSVP as soon as possible due to limited tickets.

To register or to submit questions, emailchamberinfo@shelbychamber.net or call the Chamber office at 317-398-6647.

Don’t forget to follow the Chamber on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIN.

PK U.S.A. will provide up to six weeks of paid parental leave to employees following the birth of an employee’s child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption or foster care.

“PK continues our strong commitment to our associates by implementing our Parental Leave Policy. The purpose of paid parental leave is to enable the employee to care for and bond with a newborn or a newly adopted or newly placed child,” states Bill Kent, Vice-President.
 

This policy will run concurrently with Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave, as applicable, and will be in effect for births, adoptions or placements of foster children occurring on or after March 1, 2022

Purdue University announced Wednesday (Feb. 2) that all in-person class meetings on the West Lafayette campus should be moved online if possible or canceled on Thursday (Feb. 3) and that all nonessential personnel should work remotely if possible. Forecasts call for continued heavy snow and deteriorating conditions, which may make travel unsafe for faculty, staff, and off-campus students, prompting the decision. Note that planned virtual meetings of online/hybrid courses may continue as scheduled.

Purdue administrators and public safety officials are working with city and county personnel to actively monitor the winter storm, and they ask everyone to remain aware of changing conditions. The campus operating status for Friday (Feb. 4) will be communicated via email, social media and area media as soon as possible.

Instructors of impacted courses should communicate plans and expectations (e.g due dates, remote meeting methods, exams/quizzes) directly to students. Students should check their email and Brightspace frequently for updates from their instructors. 

Predesignated essential personnel should operate under their department procedures. Nonessential personnel should work remotely if possible and not report to campus for any shifts between 4 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 2) and 11:59 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 3). The campus adverse weather procedures are available online (pdf). 

University officials continue to monitor area road conditions - and encourage employees to do the same - to be aware of any local travel restrictions that might remain in place. Those planning to travel on area roads should monitor their county travel status.

To check on the status of CityBus operations, you can download the app or search for the MyCityBus app in the Google Play or Apple App Store, or check the CityBus website. 

Purdue officials also are working in conjunction with local and state emergency responders to provide assistance locally.

Any additional updates will be available on the Purdue campus emergency page.

Purdue University announced Wednesday (Feb. 2) that all in-person class meetings on the West Lafayette campus should be moved online or canceled beginning at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, and all non-essential personnel currently working on campus today are dismissed at 4 p.m.

Purdue administrators and public safety officials are working with city and county personnel to actively monitor the winter storm and ask everyone to remain aware of changing conditions.

The campus operating status for Thursday (Feb. 3) will be communicated via email, social media and area media as soon as possible.

A significant amount of snow and deteriorating conditions may make travel unsafe for faculty, staff, and off-campus students, prompting the decision. Note that planned virtual meetings of online/hybrid courses should continue as scheduled.

Instructors of impacted courses should communicate plans and expectations (e.g., due dates, remote meeting methods, exams/quizzes) directly to students. Students should check their email and Brightspace frequently for updates from their instructors. 

Predesignated essential personnel will be operating under their department procedures. Nonessential personnel should not report to campus for any shifts after 4 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 2). All nonessential personnel currently working on campus today are dismissed at 4 p.m. The campus adverse weather procedures are available online (pdf). Plans for Thursday (Feb.) 3 will be announced as soon as possible.

University officials, in partnership with city and county personnel, continue to monitor area road conditions - and encourage employees to do the same - to be aware of any local travel restrictions that might remain in place. Those planning to travel on area roads should monitor their county travel status.

Cars parked on campus or West Lafayette snow routes must be moved or they will be towed at the owner’s expense.

To check on the status of CityBus operations, you can download the app or search for the MyCityBus app in the Google Play or Apple App Store, or check the CityBus website. 

Purdue officials also are working in conjunction with local and state emergency responders to provide assistance locally.