Close the ‘Window’ on this scam
Don't be fooled by this internet/phone scam.
A PENSIONER is warning the public to be extra careful, this after she was caught by a ‘Microsoft Window’s Service Center’ scam last Friday. This scam, which has been around for as many years as the Nigerian money transfer scam, has struck again.
This time a 67-year-old woman from Umtentweni recently received a phone call on her landline at about 2.30pm. She described the callers as being convincing, and speaking quickly in an Indian accent. The caller said he could help her upgrade her computer’s security, and upgrade from Windows seven to Windows eight.
The woman, who can’t believe how naive she was at the time, said the caller asked her to turn on her computer, and type in www.ammyy.com. He asked her to leave her computer on for 40 minutes for the upgrade to take place. She also gave them her internet password.She said she could see on her computer screen that it was being remotely operated.
They told her the upgrade would cost $79 dollars for a year’s security upgrade or $225 dollars for two years, and if she wanted to do so, she must fill out a form. The woman informed the caller that she didn’t have the money, and didn’t do online banking. The caller replied that he would give her two months’ free if she left her computer on while it upgraded.
Realising it was a scam, the woman later checked her computer and saw that no upgrade had actually occurred. She has since had to contact her bank’s fraud department and have her computer checked and a new anti-virus installed. The woman said while she was on the phone the call was transferred between a woman and four men.
When cyber criminals have access to your computer, they can trick you into installing malicious software that could capture sensitive data, such as online banking user names and passwords. Among many things, they can also take control of your computer remotely and adjust settings to leave your computer vulnerable.
According to a website, ammyy is an entirely legitimate company and is in fact a victim of these ‘call centre’ scammers. Ammyy has put up an official warning on its website requesting users not to install their software if asked to do so by someone they do not personally know.
