WILTSHIRE Police are warning of a scam which would have claimed two Westbury victims last month if it wasn’t for the quick thinking of staff at the Post Office Counter in the Co-op.
“Victims are cold called, usually by phone and told that there is a problem with their computer and for a nominal fee the suspect can fix it,” explained a spokesperson for the Police. “The suspects often claim to be working with Microsoft who have identified that the computer has been infected with a virus and offer an update or fix. They will give what seem to be viable employee details and telephone numbers when challenged.
“The victims are talked through the logon steps in order for the fraudster to gain remote access to the computer. The victims will then often witness the mouse moving and changes being made to the display. They then pay a fee (anything between £100 and £300 has been reported to Action Fraud) and are told the problem has been resolved. They now have your Bank details.
“The victims are then told that they are entitled to compensation but in order for this to be processed they need to send a Moneygram transfer, the address given was in Thailand!
“We had two potential victims of this type of Fraud in Westbury and both were asked to send £2,700 but due to the quick thinking of Linda at the Post Office Counter in the Co-Op she recognised it as a scam and refused to issue the moneygrams.”
The Police advice on how to protect yourself is:
• Do not allow remote access to your computer.
• Hang up the phone when you identify that the call is uninvited.
• Never divulge passwords or pin numbers.
• Microsoft or someone on their behalf will never call you.
• Never give your Bank details over the phone to a cold caller.
