Police warn of bogus Microsoft calls

Dyfed Powys Police is warning people to be aware of a sophisticated telephone scam where fraudsters claim to be calling from Microsoft and offer to ‘clean up’ their computer.

The fraudsters, who recently approached a victim in Crymych, direct their victim to a website where they unwittingly give permission to allow the bogus caller control of their computer. The fraudster then remotely controls the victims’ computer. 

Victims are defrauded in several ways, firstly they are charged a fee for the bogus service - their computer is not cleaned; secondly, the fraudsters can potentially access private details such as banking information etc and fraudsters could also infect the computer with a virus.

Crymych PC Christine Lewis said: "If ever you’re in doubt about a telephone cold call ask for the persons name, job title, and department then find a genuine number for the company they claim to work for and call them back. If they are who they say they are they will be happy to comply with your request.

"If you’re still in doubt for any reason then don’t do business with them, don’t give out any private details and report the call immediately to the company and/or the police via 101.”