More victims of ‘Microsoft’ scam: cops say it’s the ‘tip of the iceberg’
Michael Brown from Batley has been scammed by people pretending to be from Microsoft calling him about a virus on his computer. He said he wouldn't have fallen for it, had his hotmail not been hacked six week's before.
ELDERLY and vulnerable people are being targeted by fraudsters – but the News has already saved some people from being caught out.
As reported in last week’s News, Michael Brown fell victim to the scam, when bogus callers claiming to be from computer software firm Microsoft told him they could get rid of a virus on his system for £15.
Instead they tried to take more than £400 from his credit and debit cards.
Since our story, several readers have been in touch to say they’d had similar experiences.
Alan Kitson said the story saved him from becoming a victim when he was contacted by the fraudsters on Saturday night.
“I said it was a scam and hung up, but they phoned straight back and said if I did not turn on my computer and let them fix the problems they would cut off my connection,” he said.
“They were very insistent and the whole experience was quite frightening. Thank you for your article, I hope it helps other people as it did us.”
Unfortunately, Lynda Wigelsworth’s 82-year-old mother wasn’t so lucky.
She was called over the bank holiday, and lost £161.
Mrs Wigelsworth said the bank was being supportive and trying to get the money back, but the experience had left her mother feeling foolish.
She said: “Mum cannot believe that there are such people in the world. She loves her computer and Kindle, they’re a real lifeline.”
Batley Neighbourhood Policing Team co-ordinator Martyn Lee said: “It’s shocking that this is more widespread than we first thought, and this is still the tip of the iceberg.”
He urged all people contacted in this scam to call the police via 101 or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
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Wednesday 22 May 2013
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