Warning issued from Cheshire Police as scam phone calls purport to be from Microsoft

Police in Cheshire have issued a warning following several reports of scam phone calls purporting to be from Microsoft. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The scammers, who are posing as workers from Microsoft, claim to be computer security engineers, telling residents their computers are at a security risk. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

They say a security check needs to be performed and if the victim agrees, the scammers can then gain remote access to the computer. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

This allows them to obtain personal details, including bank account information. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Detective Sergeant Chris Jacques, of the Economic Crime Unit, said: “This is a particularly heinous crime whereby scammers target the most vulnerable in society. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“This scam has seen a resurgence over the years but as time goes on, fraudsters can use more sophisticated techniques in order to persuade victims to hand over money or gain access to their computers. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“These fraudsters are often extremely convincing and pose as working for a reputable company as it gives them more credibility. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“We are doing all we can to tackle all types of fraud and I would urge anyone who believes that they have been a victim of this scam to please report it to Cheshire Constabulary and Action Fraud.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

David Keane, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said: “Fraud not only leaves victims without their hard earned money, it also has a significant emotional impact. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“As Police and Crime Commissioner, I will continue to ensure that action is taken against scammers who are so heartlessly targeting the vulnerable in Cheshire. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“I would urge residents to follow the key advice and please continue to educate and inform elderly family members about these scams.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Cheshire Police gives this key advice to all residents in the surrounding areas: ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Computer firms such as Microsoft do not make unsolicited phone calls to help fix your computer or fix a security risk. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Treat all unsolicited phone calls with scepticism and never give out any personal information. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Computer companies will not ask for credit card information to validate copies of software or ask for ID such as a driving licence or passport. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Anyone who believes they have been contacted fraudulently or have been a victim of fraud should call Cheshire Police on 101 and Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Information can also be reported online to: https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report/ ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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