These are the most common scan active at the moment, the presentation may change but the end result is always the same,
You WILL lose money & Lots of it! if you listen to them!
So take a few minutes, read this page and be aware of the con and avoid it, then tell others.
It is important to remember that you Bank, Building Society Credit Card Company etc, will NEVER call you and request details, if in doubt end the call and call them back but from a different phone
If you click on the links you will see an official description of the scam and suggestions on what to do if you have been a victim of these scammers.
Always treat any cold call as suspect
Do Not confirm any of your details to prove who you are, If they are insistant, ask them to write you a letter,
a real company will have no problem with this.
Remote Access scam
Recently been sent this by the bank, thought it was worth sharing, pre-warned is pre-armed.
A Remote Access scam is when criminals contact you out of the blue, pretending to be the representative of a reputable organisation. This may be a telephone or internet provider or sometimes a bank or other service provider.
Once the criminals have your attention, you’ll usually be offered services such as;
- fixing, upgrading or protecting your computer or device, internet service or the websites you use
- help getting you a refund for an overpayment
- help stopping a payment from leaving your account
In order to provide you with their ‘help’ criminals will typically ask you to assist by allowing them access to your computer or mobile device. To do this, they may ask you to download software to your computer, or download an app to your mobile device, and accept their request for access. After successfully gaining access to your computer or mobile device, criminals may ask you to log onto your Online Banking.
They may have told you a story about why you need to make a payment or they’ll set up the payment themselves if they have access to your Online Banking; to complete their scam they’ll need you to take some action. Usually, they’ll ask you to share codes sent to your phone (OTPs) or authorise activity yourself through the Mobile Banking app.
The Telephone Call Scam
I have updated this as the “Microsoft” support call scam seems to be overtaken by numerous other versions of this scam.
You are just as likely to get a call from HMRC, TV Licensing, Local Council The list is endless. Treat any unexpected call as a potential fraudulent call until you confirm it is genuine.
There are many website offering support and advice on these scams but you can always do a google search for information on the call you have had.
This con starts with a phone call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft / Windows or such like, But these are not limited to computer type companies, some of my customers have had calls from BT, Sky, Vodafone, Free-view and most other large companies or suppliers.
They explain that your computer is infected with a virus or some serious problem such as your broadband being cut off unless you act now, and they can help.
They will sound very convincing with scary sounding claims regarding your personal information.
They will ask you to visit a web site to give them access to your personal data on your computer. This is then used for such things as identity theft, or fraudulent use of such things as your Hotmail / Gmail accounts or even your credit cards
This type of con has now started being pushed on Skype with a caller name of System Support – Urgent
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- It’s always a CON
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- Microsoft will not call you about a virus!
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- These people do not know anything about you or your computer!
- They only want access to your personal details!
Fake Antivirus Scam
This con is started by being prompted to click on a link for a “Free Scan” “Speed Up Your Computer” “Update Your Drivers” link in a website, usually very prominent and appears to be a valid link.
Recently this is also started by a pop up on your screen telling you there is a problem and giving you a Customer Support number to call.
The result is the same, its a CON.
Once the program has been installed it will appear to do a scan of your computer then show you have hundreds of infected files, also warning you that unless they are deleted you could be in trouble with your wife, your boss or even the Police.
This is of course rubbish, the makers play on your fears to make you give them your credit card details, which is all they want
It will offer you a fantastic deal for anywhere from $9.99, the main give away is that it is in dollars!
All they want is your Bank / Card details.
Phishing email Scam
This con starts with an email from your Bank / Building Society / Credit Card / email company etc
Explaining that your account has some sort of security problems and you are required to confirm all your details on a form.
If you fill in and send this form, you have just given them ALL the details they need to steal you identity.
If you get one of these mails either delete it or if you are concerned and you have an account with the bank etc mentioned, call them yourself to check it out.
