Police have warned Surrey and Sussex residents about an increase in computer software service fraud.
Since the start of the year, there have been just under 200 reports of this fraud made to Sussex and Surrey Police. Many of the victims were women over the age of 75.
Common scenarios include callers pretending to be from reputable organisations such as BT Engineering or Virgin Media, saying they need to access the victim’s computer remotely, or asking for bank details.
Police have issued some advice:
- If you receive a call like this hang up. Take Five and verify the call via a trusted method, not the numbers given in the call.
- Never allow anyone to remotely access your computer
- Do not download software on the request of a phone caller
- A genuine service provider will never call you out of the blue regarding issues with your computer or broadband.
- Microsoft will not request your banking information or personal details to validate Windows software on your devices.
If you or someone you know is vulnerable and has been a victim of fraud call:
- Surrey or Sussex Police on 101 or visit www.surrey.police.uk
- Report fraud or attempted fraud, by contacting Action fraud at;
- http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or call 0300 123 2040.