Britons targeted by cold callers pretending to be from Microsoft phoning to fix a fake computer problem. Beware cold callers – especially those claiming your computer has a virus (Headline from guardian.co.uk ON 18th July 2010)
I have personally had 3 phone calls recently and thought I had better post this alert as I know this scam is growing. I have read that it is being run from call centres based in Kolkata.
Each time I have had a call from someone with an Indian accent saying that they are either from a computer support company or in some cases they are saying they are from Microsoft. Each time they have told me that they have had a report from my internet service provider that I have a serious virus problem on my computer and that if I do not put it right (with their help) the computer will crash. They have then asked me to turn my computer on and click on start and open a program called “Windows Event Viewer”. They say they will guide me through step by step to fix the problem.
I am pleased to say that I am suspicious of any cold calls and trust no one. I did not go into the program. Had I gone along with what they were asking me to do I would then have been directed to a website and told to download a program that hands over remote control of my computer, and the caller can install whatever they like on my computer that they claim will fix the problem. In effect you are giving them access to all your personal documents and bank details.
In some cases I have heard they have directed people to the “Windows Event Viewer” which can be quite worrying if you are not used to computers as they look like a long list of errors, some labelled “critical”. They then say they will guide you through the steps to fix it but want a credit card payment of £185 or a similar amount otherwise the computer will crash.
I know there are always scam alerts going around on the internet and some are hoaxes but this one is very real (as I have had personal experience of it). If you google “phone scam re computer virus” you will find plenty of information on it.