Warning over computer scam

COMPUTER users are being warned about a new scam involving telephone calls from people claiming to be from Microsoft.

Dozens of local people have been called by people wanting them to change passwords and allow them access to their computers, claiming Microsoft has found a fault.

The scam follows another fraud which saw people offered fake anti-virus software, which is itself a virus, then being charged £180 to get rid of it.

A Thornham reader said he was alerted when he got a call. He said: “It was an Indian sounding or Asian voice, asking me to go into my computer and get new anti-virus software fitted. He wanted the computer security settings.”

When he became suspicious and asked questions the caller became evasive and declined to give him a telephone number to call back on. Another reader had a similar call but the caller put the phone down when challenged.

James Hulse, from Shaw Computer Centre, said: “I’ve had dozens of people who’ve had these calls. They telephone people probably trying to hack in and over-ride their firewall to try to download software which does their computer damage.

“Just ignore these people and tell them where to go. What they are trying to do is also illegal in this country and it’s a nightmare.

Complain
“Another scam is to download the fake software on to the computer which becomes inactive and then people have to pay up to £180 online to get rid of it.

“You could complain to Ofcom but these people are based outside the country.”

Oldham Trading Standards officers said they had not had complaints about the scams but advised anyone who gets a call to telephone them 0161-770 3470, and give them the information, but ignore the callers and do nothing with their computer.