Computer technical support scam warning
Trading Standards Officers are urging residents to be extra vigilant against potential fraudsters following a surge in complaints regarding unsolicited telephone calls.
In an apparent repeat of a similar scam last summer, computer users report having received persistent and sometimes aggressive calls from individuals with Indian accents claiming to be from a technical support company who have detected a ‘critical error’ on the individuals’ computer system. The consumers had not logged any computer issues with anyone, and it appears that they were targeted at random.
The callers’ attempt to convince the consumer to purchase security software and technical support, ask for personal and financial details. The company have threatened consumers that their PC’s would be at risk should they refuse their services and have even tried to persuade customers to allow them remote access to their systems. One Warrington resident, after following the callers’ instructions, reported her mouse cursor moving of its own accord and navigating itself through her computer files, threatening to delete files unless monies was paid out.
