Call Centre Scam

I'm sure most people are aware of the scam where you get a phone call from someone, claiming that they have traced a security issue to your PC and try to extract payment for fixing it - but there seems to have been a recent update to the scam!

If you have 'Caller ID' you will see that the call originates from a UK number, and the caller speaks with a clear English accent.

They ask you to visit a particular website, which appears to run some tests on your PC and reports a number of problems. The caller then asks for a modest payment to fix the problems, but of course, if you give your card details, it will cost you a heck of a lot more!

This type of scam has been doing the rounds for years now, but now it seems that the 'Call Centre' is no longer blocking their phone number, are using a UK based number (which is actually tied to an IP service - probably Skype), and using English operatives as opposed to people with strong Indian accents!

It is even possible that the operators that contact people, aren't actually aware of the scam themselves - they think they are working for a legitimate company and simply receive a list of numbers to contact, and pass on the card details to receive a 'commission' payment.

Naturally, they will never get paid - and you could get your bank account emptied!

Be careful out there!