News / Renewed warning of Microsoft scam
TRADING Standards in Shetland have renewed their appeal to islanders to be extra vigilant after a local businesswoman was phoned by internet scammers twice on one day, last week.
Helen Erwood, of ESPL Regulatory Consulting, based at Lunna, said the callers pretended to be from Microsoft telling her that her computer had a serious virus.
“This is a long-standing scam. They may possibly be working their way through the North of Scotland phone books,” she said
David Marsh of Shetland Islands Council’s trading standards said people needed to remember that a reputable company would not call to request personal or financial information, or offer to fix a computer.
“The scam caller will know your name and address, most likely having got your details from the phonebook. Usually they ask if you are having problems with your computer and say this is due to a virus.
“They offer to talk you through the fixes, but in actual fact you are giving them remote access to your computer – any ‘errors and warnings’ which they might show you are simply standard operating system logs. They will then charge for the ‘service’ they have just carried out.
“Don’t be afraid to put the phone down, and never give out your personal details to anyone who phones you out of the blue – and encourage your family, friends and neighbours to take the same approach to such callers.
“If you believe you have allowed someone access to your computer, change your passwords and report the incident to your bank and credit card company,” he said.
The Guardian newspaper reported on the long standing scam in some detail about six weeks ago: www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/18/phone-scam-india-call-centres
Microsoft has issued the following advice: www.microsoft.com/en-gb/security/online-privacy/msname.aspx
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