Computer repair scam

Trading Standards Officers at the Comhairle are advising consumers to be aware of a computer repair scam.

Consumers are contacted by telephone by a company who state that that they have detected a serious problem in the consumer’s computer.

The caller sounds authorative and may claim to be from Microsoft or a service provider. Consumers are asked to log onto a website where the caller can remotely access their computer.

“Payment details”

The consumer is also asked for their bank account details, and a payment is deducted for an expensive maintenance contract.

Trading Standards are advising consumers not to provide unknown callers with any information or personal details.

A spokesperson said: “Scammers are clever and will try to con you out of money.  Scammers will try and dupe you into believing that their offer is unique, and often you are contacted out of the blue and put under pressure to make a quick decision.

In this particular scam as well as  providing someone you don’t know with bank account details, for a maintenance contract that doesn’t exist, more importantly, by giving the cyber criminals remote access to your PC they may be able to access passwords and online payment details stored on your computer.”

Further information is available at:

http://www.microsoft.com/protect/fraud/phishing/msname.aspx

http://www.techeye.net/security/microsoft-scam-comes-to-a-phone-near-you

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