Belfast - Hundreds of computer users have been conned in a telephone scam operated by offshore fraudsters.
The full extent of the scam cannot be determined as many of the victims are not aware they have paid for a service that was never provided.
The fraudsters operate by cold-calling householders using a telephone directory, and claiming to be from Microsoft or another legitimate technology company.
The caller usually has either an Indian or American accent and tells the householders they have a problem with their computers.
The caller offers to sort out the difficulties and, after a brief conversation outlining what action can be taken, asks the potential victim to log on to a website to download a file to help solve the problem.
Satisfied that he has gained the trust of the householder, he then asks for credit card details and organises a payment of between €100 and €200.
In some cases, a further transaction, costing €800 or €900, is carried out later. But in others, victims are left with the impression that the “problem” has been solved and do not realise they have been defrauded.
Microsoft Ireland's customer experience manager Mary Ashe Winton said last night: “We are advising customers and consumers to treat all unsolicited phone calls with scepticism and not to provide any personal information.
“Anyone, who receives an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft, should hang up. We do not make these type of calls, offering a technical support package,” she added.
She also warned that apart from accessing personal details, the fraudsters can infect computers with damaging viruses and spyware.
Ms Ashe Winton agreed that the callers could be persistent - but she suggested that householders hang up and contact the gardai and national consumer agency.
Det Insp Denis Heneghan, who is in charge of the credit card section in the garda national fraud bureau, advised consumers who gave out their details to get in touch with their credit card company immediately.
“I believe that the card has been compromised and should be changed immediately to prevent the danger of further illegal transactions being carried out,” he said.
Gardai are investigating a number of complaints that have been made in connection with the scam and, with the help of Interpol, have been in contact with several police forces overseas in a bid to track down the gangs organising the frauds. - Irish Independent