Warning over internet scam
Hadleigh: Former church minister warns public not to fall victim to scam
Matthew Bunn
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
6:32 PM
A RETIRED church minister from Hadleigh is today appealing for others not to fall victim to fraudsters after she was conned out of £190.
Someone who claimed to be from Microsoft called Janice White, 63, on Tuesday, September 4.
“They said there was a problem with my computer,” said Janice.
“I thought it could be legitimate because my computer had been a bit slow lately. I asked how they got my number and he said it was when I’d bought my computer and registered it.
“I said I’d moved house since then but he had an answer for everything.”
“I was on the phone to him for an hour. He accessed a payment page on my computer screen and it looked secure – with the padlock icon. I was smart enough to use my credit card – but it didn’t feel quite right.”
The caller said he was working on the computer remotely and asked Janice to turn it on the following day for further work. Janice received another phone call later that day asking if she’d like to complete a customer survey regarding the call.
After realising that Microsoft wouldn’t cold call her and ask for money, she quickly changed her bank details and didn’t turn her machine back on.
“I wouldn’t call myself gullible but I was still taken in. If you get a call like this – just ignore it. Don’t be swayed. This has made me much more careful now.”
Suffolk Constabulary is reminding all residents to seek professional advice if you’re not sure about a cold call. You can read more about such scams by search for ‘Microsoft scams’ on the internet.
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2 comments
These so-called "callers" are not good at all. When challenged they become flummoxed and often resort to abuse before hanging up. I've had a couple do this to me. Also, one doesn't need to be in possession of too many brain cells to wonder why "Microsoft" would telephone an individual to ask them for money in order to "fix" a non-existent problem. What's more interesting is why these scammers are allowed to operate out of premises in West London and haven't been closed down by Trading Standards.
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bigger niche
Thursday, October 4, 2012
I've read about this Microsoft scam at www.callercenter.com several times and I'm afraid that these scammers are really good liars. I can attest to that because I got a call myself and when I spoke to the caller, I almost thought he was a legit tech because he talked well. He sounded professional, had all the right terms and very conversational. You would really think he got all those traits from being trained in a legit call center. But I happened to be aware that such a scam is going around. So I told he caller I knew what he was up to and called the bluff. And he just chuckled and disconnected the call. Had he argued back and defended himself, I would have allowed him access to my computer and disclosed my credit card number. Phew!
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Michael Dwells
Thursday, October 4, 2012