The FBI’s Portland, Oregon office has published two back-to-back advisories on building a digital defense against digital device repair scams. As noted in the first of the advisories, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is receiving increasing amounts of reports involving this type of scam. Here’s one version of how the scam works: you find someone online to fix your problem and pay the requested amount for the repair services. Shortly after, you receive a call from a scammer saying you are getting a partial refund on your money for one reason or another. At this point, the caller asks for access to your computer, and you watch as he supposedly transfers money into your account. However, just as the scammer hits “enter,” it appears as if additional zeroes were added to the total amount of money transferred. The scammer pretends to panic and begs you to transfer the extra money back to the scammer so he doesn’t get in trouble with his boss. The victim wants to help and authorizes a transfer of several thousands of dollars back. Only later does the victim discover that it was all a scam. As described in the second advisory, another version involves fraudsters tricking people into believing they have a serious problem with their computer. Then, using high-pressure tactics, they persuade the victim to pay for tech support services that he or she doesn’t need in order to fix a problem that does not exist. Frequently, these scammers will ask for payment in the form of a gift card or a prepaid card or via a money transfer app. Both advisories include lists of tips and recommendations for how to spot these scams and protect yourself and your devices. Read the first and second advisories at the FBI.