Scammers!

Computers are wonderful. The Internet is magical. It opens up the world enabling us to be in instant touch with friends and family who live thousands of miles away, on other continents. We are able, at the lick of our mouse, to send a letter whirling out across the ether to arrive seconds later at its destination. The internet enables us to do almost everything without ever moving out of the house - in fact, without moving away from our desks. We can shop online, bank online, meet new friends online, book a flight on line, look for love online. The magic of the internet is unprecedented, unlimited. Magic indeed. But with that magic comes the very real fear of danger because lurking out there are the scumbags. The paedophiles who target and stalk our innocent children, robbing them of their childhood and so much else, and the theives who invade our privacy, stealing our identities and our saving. The Scammers are very real and we should all be alert to their tricks.

Last night, my friend Sue was on her computer when the phone rang. The caller introduced himself as Sandy Gordon from Microsoft Technical Services, telling her that her computer was heavily infected and in danger of crashing. Sue is not a tech-phile and not computer savvy so she was immediately anxious about her and open to his 'advice'.

Soon he was controlling her computer 'remotely' accessing all her personal details, no doubt.

As she grew suspicious, he became abusive. He told her he had installed a anti virus programme and would be billing her for it. When her partner took the phone from her, he was insulted and called a 'Mother F***er'.

Having googled the telephone number he gave, turned out he was calling from India (or maybe the USA or even UK) and a company called 24-7 PC Care. Definitely NOT Microsoft.

Although this information has now been handed over to the police, it is as well to be aware
and alert.

If anyone receives a called from 'Microsoft Technical Services' - hang up immediately.

The Internet may be magical but like all kinds of magic there is also a dark side ...