Scam Alert

Computer 'fixer' scammers going global.

Phone call. Scamwatch continues to receive reports of cold calls from computer 'fixers' originating from overseas and wanting to gain remote access to your computer.

The BBC recently reported on this scam which is rampant in the UK.

In the latest twist in New Zealand, the scammers had sent a letter from the "FBI" telling the consumer that her computer was infected and was damaging other computers, and giving her written instructions as to what she was required to do on her computer to fix it, which of course involved handing over control of her computer to the scammers.

Our advice remains the same: anyone who receives a call like this should hang up straight away. Remember, you have the power in a telephone conversation to hang up and shouldn't be afraid to do so.

See here for more scam alerts.