Information Bulletin
Don’t Be Taken In By Computer Virus Scam
People in Shetland are continuing to report to Trading Standards that they are receiving phone calls claiming their computer has a problem with a virus.
The caller may sound very believable, but a reputable company will not call you to request personal or financial information or offer to fix your computer.
The scam caller will know your name and address, most likely having got your details from the phonebook. Usually they ask if you are having problems with your computer and say this is due to a virus. They offer to talk you through the fixes, but in actual fact you are giving them remote access to your computer – any ‘errors and warnings’ which they might show you are simply standard operating system logs. They will then charge for the ‘service’ they have just carried out.
Don’t be afraid to put the phone down, and never give out your personal details to anyone who phones you out of the blue - and encourage your family, friends and neighbours to take the same approach to such callers.
If you believe you have allowed someone access to your computer, change your passwords and report the incident to your bank and credit card company.