Beware of computer scams

[colinbowen]

Rose has asked me to write about some common scams in which the scammers phone you or email you with an attempt to get money from you. These scams are numerous, but here are some examples:

Microsoft scam. Someone "from Microsoft" phones you to say that you have a virus, an unlicenced copy of Windows, or some other problem. They log in to your computer and show you spurious error messages, then suggest you pay for a maintenance contract or new licence, usually around £200.

Police/MoD/Council scam. Someone calls your saying they're from some sort of government department or similar, and again says there's something wrong with your computer and offers to help out. They are convincing, and eventually asks for some money.

Emails from delivery companies, Companies House, HMRC, etc. They usually contain an attachment that is a virus, and suggest that money or packages are waiting for you. You either open the attachment and infect your computer, or click a link in the email which leads you to a fake or infected website.

There are many more scams, to numerous to mention. The key thing to remember is:
If you weren't expecting an email or telephone call, then the chances are it's a scam and you should delete it or hang up

For warnings about potential threats, please visit my website at [
www.BowenRacing.com/category/IT or visit my facebook page at www.facebook.com/ColinBowenITservices

[tee]

Great post Colin

I've added some useful links to help/ inform everyone:

www.actionfraud.police.uk/fraud-az-microsoft-frauds

www.microsoft.com/en-gb/security/online-privacy/avoid-phone-scams.aspx

www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/consumer_e/consumer_protection_for_the_consumer_e/consumer_scams_e/consumer_common_scams_e/consumer_computer_and_online_scams_e/top_tips_to_avoid_online_scams.htm

Always make sure your anti-virus software is up to date
Don't open email spam- delete it!
Don't give out personal information
Unwanted caller? Hang up and ensure line is clear (get dial tone) before dialling out

[colinbowen]

Thanks Tee

Good links, but I think the adviceguide.org.uk page doesn't advise thoroughly enough. For example, it says "only allow someone to remotely access your computer if they are from a trusted source, such as your internet service provider". However, what it should say, in my opinion, is never allow anyone to access your computer unless you initiated the process.

By that, I mean that if someone calls you purporting to be from your internet service provider, do not trust them! It could be a scammer. In fact, never trust anyone who phones you. In today's world, unless it's family or friends (and even those too sometimes), no one will call you unless they want something from you, usually money in some form or other. Only trust someone if you phoned them first, or phoned them using a number from a trusted source (your own records, a friend, or google.co.uk).

If you receive a call from anyone, tell them you will call them back. Don't use the phone number they supply, go online to www.google.co.uk and search for the organisation who phoned. Make sure you get to the correct search result, not an advert, and look for the Contact Us page. Use that number to call the organisation.

Always be suspicious! Even if the caller is who they claim to be, they are probably calling to sign you up to a new deal, maybe more expensive, maybe with a new minimum term. Take some time before calling back to think about what you will actually get from calling them back, and what you will have to give them in return.

Sorry to be so negative, but too many people are too nice and too trusting, and nice people don't deserve to be caught out.

[tee]

Great advice!

In this day and age we all have to be suspicious, and no-one should consider it impolite to check credentials. Doing a google search for the company or organisation, or looking the phone number up in the phone book are all good practices and a reputable company or person will have no objection to this.

If its too good to be true, then it probably isn't.