[Link]

See the above link which describes how it works in detail….. I was alerted to this listening to ‘Radio 4 Today Programme’ this morning….. [Link] - Report starts at about 37ish minutes in from the start.

This is just a sophisticated extension of the Phone Computer Error Scam - where an Indian bloke called “Graham” (or another English sounding name) rings you and says he is from Windows Error Centre and attempts to hoodwink you into giving him remote access to your computer and try to extort money from you. He is not called Graham and he doesn’t work for Windows.

If you get a “pop-up” message on your computer screen telling you that your PC is infected and not to switch it off, but ring the telephone number………. DON’T RING THEM!

Instead, switch off your PC/Laptop/Device and reboot it.

Once it’s rebooted….. Run a virus scan (you should have virus protection installed on your computer – AVG is free/good) and a malware scan (Malwarebytes is a free program easy to install which will detect and remove any other nasty items hiding in your system).

Probably best to run a virus/malware scan on a weekly basis to keep your system free of nasty bugs.

If you get a pop-up or a phone call…………. It will be a scam…… don’t fall for it!

As for the phone I guys I tell them to “Foxtrot Oscar” and put the phone down …… just ignore the pop-up messages and follow the guidelines above.

Please distribute this message to as many of your contacts as you can……….. You have been warned!

This has been going for ages.

"Windows" will never ring you.

Also watch out for "banks" who phone you and get you to confirm by calling the bank back. They don't hang up and then use a fake dialing tone so you thing it is the bank you are talking to but it is still them.

Crafty buggers.

Live a pastoral existence in the woods, only ever encountering people who think hermits dish out good luck and sage advice.

Then see how often fraudsters manage to con you with their computer virus trickery.

Yes... the Windows Error Message Centre guys phoning you is an old scam.

My warning is about the latest extension of this scam with the dawn of the "pop-up" scam warning message on screen. It freezes your computer and the message looks like it has come from your ISP.

Just trying to make people a bit more savvy against being scammed Hrolf.

hoof, thanks for the warning. I have been contacted this morning and followed the standard HOL advice of keeping the caller talking for as long as possible - to protect others. The thought of living where these people cannot make contact does appeal.

COYP

Originally posted by Part Time James

Live a pastoral existence in the woods, only ever encountering people who think hermits dish out good luck and sage advice.

Then see how often fraudsters manage to con you with their computer virus trickery.

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There is an organisation which arranges burials in woodland - the fraudsters seem to be suitable customers