Hackers made their way onto a Powell River woman’s computer, part of a sophisticated scam designed to elicit feelings of alarm and anxiety.
Sandra Hodgson, a senior citizen who lives in Wildwood, said she gave access to her computer over the phone to someone who called to tell her most of her system was corrupt. “They wanted to show me all my corrupt files,” she said. “That’s when I let him in.”
Hodgson allowed the caller to connect to her computer. But when it came to money, she balked. The caller asked for her credit card number to pay for fixing her computer. “I
said no way, I got angry and I hung up.”
The next morning, Hodgson called Telus, her Internet provider, who tried to help her. However, she didn’t unplug her computer after she allowed access to it and it was now running slowly. She has to have it cleaned out and repaired, which she will have to pay for.
Hodgson said she didn’t have any banking information on her computer, but she is concerned because the scammers have her name and address.
In a bulletin, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre said there has been an increase in the number of complaints received involving fraudulent telephone solicitation for anti-virus software. In the scheme, company representatives cold call individuals and state, for example, that their computer is running slowly or has viruses. They then offer to repair the computer over the Internet, which can involve the installation of software or customers allowing the representatives remote access to their computer. Payment for the software or repair service is handled via credit card.
Allowing a third party to download software or remotely access a computer carries inherent risks. Keyloggers or other malicious software could be installed to capture sensitive data such as online banking user names and passwords, bank account information and identifying information. Callers often reference Microsoft, Windows or Online PC Care.
Readers who believe they or someone they know has been a victim of fraud should contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1.888.495.8501.
