A surge in fraud has been fuelled by conmen posing as engineers for technology firms such as Apple and Microsoft.
Criminals pretending to be computer security experts phone unsuspecting users at home to warn them their data is at risk.
They then trick their victims into believing they have a technical problem with their devices which can be fixed remotely for a small fee.
Some users are then talked into handing over their debit or credit card details to pay for so-called ‘repairs’, after which their money is stolen.
The Office for National Statistics warned about the scam yesterday, as it revealed the number of computer service frauds in England and Wales has more than doubled year on year – from 10,784 to 21,978.
Head of crime statistics John Flatley said: ‘Someone will receive a bogus phone call at home from someone claiming they are an Apple or Microsoft engineer who says they have noticed a problem and that they can fix it remotely – if they can just get some credit card details so they can take a fee of £30 (R580).’
Other computer frauds include conmen claiming to be selling the latest anti-virus software, as well as pop-up notifications telling victims their iPhone or iPad has crashed and they must dial a support helpline.
In the year to March 2015, Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud, recorded a 9 per cent increase in the number of scams to 230,630.
These include credit card fraud, bogus online auctions, internet dating scams and fake tickets.
At the same time, there was a 5 per cent fall in theft and a 7 per cent drop in domestic burglary – suggesting many criminals are switching from street crimes to online and telephone financial fraud, which carries fewer risks.
However, there was also the first rise in recorded knife crime for five years, according to the ONS. Incidents involving all sharp weapons rose 2 per cent to 26,370, while the number of knife assaults hit 13,488 – up 13 per cent on the previous year.
Tougher penalties, due to come into force today, mean adults convicted more than once of possessing a blade face a maximum of four years in prison. – Daily Mail