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Warning over computer scam
Angus Council trading standards are warning the public to beware of a scam where bogus callers trick people into paying money to repair a nonexistent fault on their computer
Trading standards officers were contacted by a member of the public in the Montrose area who received a telephone call from an unknown person claiming to be from Microsoft.
The bogus caller claimed the member of the public’s computer was infected by viruses and advised this was causing problems for Microsoft.
A trading standards spokesperson said: “The consumer was asked to turn on his computer and log in, but luckily he was already aware of the scam and refused to do so, but other consumers, not aware of the scam, might do so.
“The bogus caller claims to show the consumer a list of errors, offers to resolve them and takes over the consumer’s laptop.
“This usually only takes a couple of minutes but the consumer then feels pressurised to pay a large amount of money for the service.”
Trading standards confirmed that this scam has been in circulation since 2008.
Microsoft has stated that they do not undertake unsolicited telephone calls, so anyone in any part of Angus receiving an unexpected call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft should treat it as a hoax.
For further advice, contact trading standards through the council’s ACCESSLine on 08452 777 778.
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Weather for Brechin
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 17 C
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