Many people report having been called from the international number 002538020308.
The scenario is like this:
Always an english speaking foreigner (Indian sounding). Different name used on each call - Jess, Smith, Stephen, Wayne, & others.
Different Company names have included: Windows security center,
Creative Solutions, MPC Help, Windows Service Center, Windows Security Maintenance, 24/7 PC Help, etc.
Sometimes they say they are calling "on behalf of Microsoft", or offer to do a free PC health check, or even directly tell you that your system has been compromised and it has got viruses.
Is this a SCAM?
The New Zealand Internal Affairs Anti-Spam Compliance unit is
reiterating it’s warning about a cold caller who offers to fix a
problem with home computers. It has received several calls and
emails from people who have received similar calls.
Senior
investigator Toni Demetriou says a Dunedin computer company had
received an infected PC for repairs from a customer who had been taken
in by the scamster and police were investigating.
“We now believe
the calls are being made from overseas, not from New Zealand as
originally suspected, and quite a lot of people are receiving them,” Mr
Demetriou said. “The caller can be quite convincing. On one occasion he
handed the conversation across to a ‘supervisor’ in an attempt to make
the call sound more professional and convincing.
“He also gives
various explanations for the calls such as phoning from a reputable and
well-known international company, maybe a security and anti-virus
vendor, suggesting the PC has been infected by a virus and needs
repairs.
“The sole purpose of the call is to convince someone to
login to a website. They are given a website name and once they are at
the website home page they are then given a six digit code to log into
that website.
“Essentially what then happens is that the person
is handing over control of their computer to the person they are talking
with. If you follow the instructions you will be allowing and
authorising remote access to your computer. Just about anything could
then happen.
“Viruses, malware, key logging software could be
installed onto the computer. Any information on the PC could be taken
and any sensitive usernames or login credentials and passwords may also
be logged and obtained as you continue to use your computer in the
future. If you log into your bank the information could be captured and
your account compromised. The computer may also become part of a
botnet and used for spamming activities.”
Mr Demetriou said
unauthorised access to a computer system is an offence under the Crimes
Act. Similarly, if the computer is infected through that unauthorised
access and used for spamming activities, the Department of Internal
Affairs, which enforces the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act, would
investigate.
If anyone believes their PC has been infected
and compromised the Department recommends that it is inspected and
repaired by a computer servicing company.
