Hoax callers

If you receive a call from someone claiming to know that you have a problem with your computer be suspicious, unless you have requested a call from a reputable agent.

Microsoft never ring you unless you have specifically asked them to contact you.  TalkTalk, Orange, Sky, NTL World, BT and so one will never ring you, unless you ask them to call you back (and you'll have to survive on hold several minutes listening to "Your call is important to us" before they will speak to you!)

Broadband providers may contact you to try to up-sell their services, but they will never claim to know that your computer has a problem.

It is not possible for Microsoft to know that your computer has a virus or similar problem.

No matter how convincing they are, hang up.

We've had reports from some reasonably savvy people recently who have been taken in.  One was persuaded to pay nearly £200 to fix a "virus". 

Please ensure less computer savvy members of your club are aware of these hoax calls and unless they have specifically called PC World, Comet, etc they should hang up.

There are reports that once the hoax caller has your credit card details they are able to mis-use it again.  If they do gain access to your computer all your data - bank account information, etc, is vulnerable.