Investigations are uncovering more computer repair shops than ever are wrongly diagnosing computer issues and consequently charging excessive amounts.

Even worse, some are doing this while attempting to steal data.

Such illegal and condemnable behavior comes as little surprise to Miami computer repair experts who work in the industry, but most consumers are probably still unaware the possibility exists.

In turn, you definitely need to be more little tech savvy.

By no means do you need to become an expert in computer repair, however, you should do your research before calling upon so-called PC repair specialists.

An independent Ft. Lauderdale computer repair will not lead you astray. However, a larger, loosely-regulated chain outfit might.

This is not to say every small shop is perfect, nor every big box computer retailer and repair outfit shady. But the patterns tend to skew that direction.

One recent account involved a technician loosening a notebook's memory chip to prevent Windows from loading. A repair would simply involve pushing the chip back in place.

A reputable computer repair store in Boca Raton found the problem and diagnosed it free of charge. They also repaired it free of charge. Sadly they were in the minority.

One Geek Squad fellow at Best Buy claimed a new motherboard would be required at a cost of almost $200. At the same store, surveillance saw employees browsing files and copying the client's personal photos onto a memory stick.

Inside one of the system's documents, another employee found fake bank login details and repeatedly attempted to access the customer's bank account.

If that doesn't make you cringe and think twice about who you trust with your Fort Lauderdale computer repair needs, we don't know what will. Please. Be cautious.

By no means do you need to become an expert in computer repair, however, you should do your research before calling upon so-called PC repair specialists.

An independent Ft. Lauderdale computer repair will not lead you astray. However, a larger, loosely-regulated chain outfit might.

This is not to say every small shop is perfect, nor every big box computer retailer and repair outfit shady. But the patterns tend to skew that direction.

One recent account involved a technician loosening a notebook's memory chip to prevent Windows from loading. A repair would simply involve pushing the chip back in place.

A reputable computer repair store in Boca Raton found the problem and diagnosed it free of charge. They also repaired it free of charge. Sadly they were in the minority.

One Geek Squad fellow at Best Buy claimed a new motherboard would be required at a cost of almost $200. At the same store, surveillance saw employees browsing files and copying the client's personal photos onto a memory stick.

Inside one of the system's documents, another employee found fake bank login details and repeatedly attempted to access the customer's bank account.

If that doesn't make you cringe and think twice about who you trust with your Fort Lauderdale computer repair needs, we don't know what will. Please. Be cautious.