(Springfield, Mo – June 19, 2012) BBB of Southwest Missouri has received calls from consumers who have received phone calls from individuals asking to gain access to their home computers.
Callers claim to be from well-known companies such as Windstream, who tell the consumers they need to remote access their computers to do a cleaning after reported viruses or fraud in their systems. This tactic is a scam.
BBB in Lafayette, La issued a similar release in May warning its residents of similar calls from the same phone number claiming to be from Microsoft. The phone number showing up on consumers’ caller IDs is 949-210-9072.
“Consumers are reminded to never share passwords or give remote access to anyone they don’t know,” said Judy Mills, President/CEO of BBB of Southwest Missouri. “These scammers will do anything but clean and repair your computer.
If your computer has been hacked or infected with a virus, BBB suggests you take the following precautions:
- Immediately unplug your computer from the internet connection, whether it is a telephone line or an Ethernet line.
- Contact your internet service provider (ISP) immediately to report the incident
- Contact the FBI’s Internet Crime division at www.ic3.gov.
For more information about this scam or to check out a business or charity call 417-862-4222 or go online to www.swmo.bbb.org.
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