Fraudsters take money in telephone scam

The Office of Fair Trading is warning people about a scam which targets computer users over the telephone.

The OFT says it’s been receiving calls from people who have been taken in by the scammers, and is advising consumers and businesses to be wary of cold-callers.

In the latest fraud, people get phone calls saying their computers have a virus and an offer to fix it.

However, despite the caller claiming to be from Microsoft, it’s a con to get people to pay up to £80 for nothing.

Jason Roberts reports (text, below, from attached audio file):

The OFT says a number of people have handed over cash but received nothing for their money.

An OFT spokesperson says it’s important to checks on cold-callers before agreeing to any services they offer.

The advice is to tell callers you don’t want to make a decision immediately, ask for full contact details and don't provide financial details or pay before you have decided to accept the offer.

There is also advice on how to avoid telemarketing.

You can opt out at tpsonline.org.uk