PC scammers targeting Orkney again

With over ten reports in the last two days, the OIC’s trading standards services is warning that a scam involving home computers is targeting Orkney residents again.

Callers pretending to be from Microsoft Windows are making unsolicited telephone calls to homes, claiming that they have detected a PC error message and offering to take the owner through steps needed to fix or diagnose the “problem”. But there are concerns that these steps may be installing software that allows third parties access to the computer, possibly enabling them to track personal details such as account numbers and passwords.

The scammers also ask for bank account details to pay a service fee – with the claim that this will insure the computer for its lifetime. It is believed that the calls are made in India.

Anyone targeted by this scam, or who suspects they have been the victim of any other scam, can contact trading standards on 873535 or by e-mail to trading.standards@orkney.gov.uk for further advice.