Scammers seek credit card details via computer con
(CNS): The Financial Crime Unit is warning the public of a new scam where con artists are trying to get credit card details from their victims posing as representatives from Microsoft. The financial cops report that a small number of people on Island have reported receiving a call from someone purporting to be from Microsoft stating that they have received an error message relating to their computer. Offering to repair the computer system remotely the scammers request the victim provides credit card details. Officers from the RCIPS said.the story about the error message is, of course, fictitious but the victims who have been sucked in by the con have found that anywhere from $99 – $200 has been taken from their credit card account.
“This takes scamming to a new level in the Cayman Islands,” said Detective Chief Inspector Claudia Brady.
“ The scammers are becoming much more sophisticated and that’s why people need to be much more vigilant when they take such calls. We have made all the necessary checks with Microsoft representatives and we can assure people that no-one from the company would contact them directly.”
Brady explained that any contact with Microsoft in relation to computer error issues would be initiated by the computer user and not the company.
“Once again, we are urging people not to give out their credit card / bank details over the phone, or over e-mail, under any circumstances. Do not start off 2012 being a victim of a scam,” she warned.
Anyone who wishes further information about how to avoid becoming a scam victim should contact the RCIPS Financial Crime Unit on 949-8797.
Category: Crime
Well just dispute the card charge with your bank.
I had a similar experience. A supposed bill collector left a message for me to return his call. When I returned the call and asked for the details of the bill he said he couldn't give it to me without verification of my details such as Social Security Number, address etc. I responded that I was merely returning his call and would not give my personal information without an explanation of the matter. He then hung up.
they called me to. Sounded like an Indian fellow saying he was responding to a report about my windows computer.
I asked what Operating system and when he said CP and i didnt have it, i knew it was suspicious, when I said I didnt have such an OS, they just hung up!
Anyone who falls for these things not only deserves whatever they get but should also be charged a “Stoopid Tax” by the Government.
For starters, why should the government get a "Stoopid Tax" it has nothing to do with them.
Sencondly, with regards to someone giving someone credit card details to a person over the phone with out any prior knowledge of who that person is is ignorant/naive, however with regards to believing/falling for someone calling because you are experiencing computer issues is not always black & white are you are implying in your post.
In some cases some people may legitimately be having problems with their computers and believe that this call is for real – there are cases when if word/excel shuts down a warning message comes up asking if you want to report it.
I also received one of these calls from someone sounding Indian, but had been prewarned about it. I questioned them as to where they got my number and they hung up. I called the Financial Crimes Unit and they were made aware of this last week and were investigating. Why it has taken them a full week to make people awarer of it isbeyond me.
this is not just a Cayman problem it is worldwide.
The FCU is paid for from the public purse. They don’t need to be wasting their time with suck frivilous child-like scams.
The suckers who are drawn in should be made to pay for this waste of resources. Hence the need for a Stoopid Tax.
I also got such a call. I told him I didn't believe him and did he have some way to verify that he was calling from Microsoft (who doesn't have some problems with their computer?). He told me he had my Microsoft registration number (I don't think I even know what it is). I asked him how he got my phone number (he called on my cell phone) and he said it was part of my registration information (my Microsoft program is registered to the person who gave me his computer). I asked him for a number and said I would think about calling him back; I didn't — women's intuition is a formidable force. I will make a report to the police and give them the number he gave to me.
Thanks for keeping us alerted to these scams.
Oh yeh like the number he gave you is going to check out
I got such a call, and since I had been having problems with my computer nearly fell for it. Luckily my husband told me to hang up!!!! I don't doubt that they also don't intentionally infect your computer prior to calling you so they can easily prey on you!!!!!!