Prestbury man called three times in a week by same con artists
ELECTRICIAN Russell Glen is warning homeowners to beware of phone scams after being called three times by con artists in just one week.
The 54-year-old was called at his Prestbury home last week by a woman with an Indian accent who said she had just been alerted to a fault with his computer.
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TARGETED: Russell Glen of Prestbury, Cheltenham, has urged people to be on their guard
This was despite the father-of-two having not turned on his computer in three days.
He said: "They used a different name for the company each time. She was asking me to turn on the computer and go through the files with them.
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"I asked whether it was a scam and she hung up.
Annoying
"They've tried it with me three times and it's obviously very annoying.
"I expect that if I'd done what they asked me to they would have asked for my bank details at some point.
"I could tell it was dodgy. I'm worried elderly people might be caught out by them."
Gloucestershire Trading Standards has received numerous reports of this scam, which often involves the caller claiming the resident's computer is infected with a virus and about to crash.
Consumer advice and community development manager Martin Bruton said: "Please be extremely cautious should you receive a call from someone claiming they can solve a problem they have identified with your computer.
"The caller will claim your computer contains a virus and they can help to remove it. This is a scam.
"We have heard from people who do not have a computer who have received these calls.
"The aim is to get a payment from you for unnecessary or bogus work and to get access to your computer to look for bank account details, passwords or other personal information.
"We would advise anyone who receives a call like this is to not enter into any discussion with the caller and to put down the phone.
"Do not give your credit card details or log on to any websites suggested by the caller."
To report a suspected scam, call Trading Standards on 08454 040506.
Comments
by Diesel22
Thursday, December 20 2012, 10:15PM
“I had the same thing happen to me, a few months ago, i told him i was busy at that time,so could i have a number to ring him back, and he hung up,then a few days later he rings again, and i told him i was on my way out,again, i asked for a number, and he hung up! I knew then that it must be a scam, i live in Worcester.”
by Lord_Gaga_
Tuesday, December 18 2012, 5:55PM
“So thats what a telephone looks like... well i never.”
by Dr_Hfrrrrr
Tuesday, December 18 2012, 10:16AM
“'I asked whether it was a scam and she hung up' - how can these dastardly swarthy con artists ever hope to win when they are up against this kind of detective work?”
by Matt1006
Tuesday, December 18 2012, 9:52AM
“Had a few of these calls myself a couple of months ago. Always Indian callers (male & female), never identified where they were calling from even when I asked them a direct question. Was immediately suspicious, so on the 3rd time of asking I hung up as soon as I heard an Indian accent mention the words "problems with your computer". Not heard from them since.
Sadly some people presumably do fall for this sort of scam, or otherwise those responsible wouldn't be doing it. The chances of identify those responsible is extremely slim I suspect, so best to remind people that such scams are out there, and to not fall for them.”
by Willow_Wisp
Tuesday, December 18 2012, 9:30AM
“...or do what I do with them all now - drives 'em nuts - answer "Yes" to every single question - no exceptions and no deviating...my record so far is 17 responses.”
by bonzaharris1
Monday, December 17 2012, 11:08PM
“People could always follow my elderley Mothers lead. The other week when we were visiting her, she had a phone call, which was obviously from one of our overseas call centres. She pressed the hands free button, and a voice asked if this was Mrs Brown .... yes she replied, before pressing the off button. Admittedly this was not a scam call, and she is as deaf as a post. But I was comforted to know that with that attitude, she will never be a victim of these scam calls.”
by Willow_Wisp
Monday, December 17 2012, 10:53PM
“If you google, you can find the script these con artists use....it is quite funny - they even have the "gasps of horror" scripted for when you tell them some basic details about the programmes on your PC.
Otherwise known as the "Event Viewer" scam - it's old, it's stupid, but people continue to fall for it.
Glad you had your head screwed on, Russ!”