Professionals targeted in ongoing computer internet scam.

Dyfed Powys Police are warning people in Powys to be aware of a sophisticated telephone scam where fraudsters claim to be calling from Microsoft or the victims broadband provider and offer to remove viruses and “speed up” their computer.
 
The fraudsters direct their victim to a website where they unwittingly give the fraudster permission to access the victims’ computer remotely. 

More recent reports suggest that both experienced computer users and beginners are at risk of falling for this scam because the fraudsters are very convincing.
 
Victims are being charged for the bogus service via credit card and private details such as banking information could be accessed. They could also infect the computer with a virus or malware used to collect user passwords.
 
"It’s a worrying trend that even those who use computers all the time and would be considered to know better are falling foul of this scam,” said Detective Inspector Diane Davies. “All I’d ask people is to think very carefully any time someone calls offering such a service.

“Never access your computer following a request made via an unexpected telephone call and don’t give out any private details relating to your computer. If access has been given, disconnect from the internet and take the computer to a reputable computer repairer to have any remote software and malware removed before reconnecting to the internet.

“Advice and more information can be found at www.actionfraud.org.uk  or on 0300 123 2040. Or you can get in touch with your local neighbourhood policing team who can offer advice.”