We are receiving more and more reports from our customers of computer scams in the area. Basically they all start the same way, the phone rings and a fraudster tells you that they are from a microsoft accredited company, or associated with your broadband provider. They then tell you that they have reports of a virus on your computer and persuade you to switch it on asking you to visit various web pages so they can show you the virus warnings. In some cases they will also ask you to download remote access software so they can take control. They will always say that the anti-virus software you have is inadequate, and that they can recommend better options.
The aim of the call is to persuade you to part with some cash when they repair the "problems" they've highlighted to you, the rub here is that these problems never existed in the first place. However there are also concerns that they may actually infect your computer with viruses and malware searching for personal data.
These scams take hours to set up, operate under various different names, but seem to have in common an 0203 telephone number. These are bought in an attempt to make themselves look legitimate, however these numbers are cheap and easy to buy and can be accessed from around the world. They offer no guarantee that the person on the end of the phone is calling from London.
It's an easy and cheap fraud to set up, but shutting it down seems much harder. The only way to ensure that you stay safe from these scams is to hang up if you receive an unsolicited call.
Think about it as you would your own door, if someone called unsolicited asking you information about your PC or laptop you wouldn't let them in...don't do it over the phone or internet either!
If you think you may have fallen victim to one of these scams drop in to chat to our resident gadgetman.
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