Computer scam 7/2/12
Trading Standards Officers at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar are warning householders to be vigilant of callers claiming to be from Microsoft, or other Computer firms, who are attempting to gain access to their home computers.
In recent months, Trading Standards have seen an increase in reporting of such incidents.
An officer said: “Residents need to be aware of what is, in many ways, a very sophisticated type of scam. Callers will often claim that there is a problem with the resident’s computer and that in order to rectify this they require specific details, such as the computer’s license number. Provided with these details, they will then be able to obtain remote access to residents’ computers.”
North Lochs resident Kelvin Reed was contacted recently by a caller claiming that his computer was ‘generating errors.’ The caller claimed that this was probably a result of Mr Reed’s Computer having been ‘hijacked’ and that in order to fix this he was required to give the caller his 20 digit license number.
Mr Reed told officers: “Fortunately, I realised very quickly that this was a scam, but the person did sound genuine and seemed to know what he was talking about. He attempted to lead me through a process that would have allowed him to gain remote access to my computer. I have since contacted Microsoft and received confirmation from them that they do not phone people’s homes in this way, so it’s clear that any such call as this is going to be a scam.
Stornoway resident Mary McCormack was contacted last week by a man claiming to be from a computer firm.
Mrs McCormack said: “The man asked me to confirm my name, Mary McCormack, to which
I replied, ‘yes.’ He proceeded to ask about my computer. I told him that I don’t
have a computer -
Despite this, the caller continued in his attempt to glean information from me and asked for my address. He was insistent in this attempt and it was clear that he was trying to ‘railroad’ me. The caller appeared to be reading from a script, though he did sound professional. His final question was: ‘How is your marital status?’ I took this as an opportunity to end our conversation.”
• The Comhairle advises NOT to ask for the callers number as a method of getting rid of them as some actually leave contact details to make the scam appear more genuine. Sometimes the number they leave is not even their number.
Consumers have also checked the callers number either through caller display or the 1471 service. The number may appear to be in London, or elsewhere in the UK, but may be registered in, (and the call is transferred to) another country.
They say the advice is clear: just put the phone down, Microsoft will not contact you by phone.