The Regina Police Service is warning the public of fraudulent telephone solicitation of anti-virus software for computers. In this scheme, the victim receives a telephone call stating that the victim’s computer is running slow or has a virus and that the caller has been made aware of this problem through Microsoft. The caller then instructs the victim that he/she can fix the computer over the Internet with installation of software. The victim pays for the software with a credit card and often times the software allows for remote access of a computer, providing the fraudster with access to sensitive information. Other variations of this scam involve the victim responding to pop-up ads offering anti-virus software.
To protect yourself, the Regina Police Service recommends being aware of unsolicited calls representing computer companies, callers requesting access to your computer, urgent solicitations indicating a threat to your computer and credit card charges from foreign banks.
If you think you have been a victim of this crime, get your computer checked out by a professional company for any viruses or malware that may be installed on it. Also, the victim can check with their credit card company for possible reimbursement from fraud.
Regina Police Service would like to remind the public to never give out personal information, such as credit card numbers, to a company that they have not initiated the contact with. If you receive a call like the one described above, simply hang up. Report all incidents to the Regina Police Service at 777-6500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
For more information about this scam and other scams, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre Website at www.antifraudcentre.ca “