Scam Alert

Scam warning for all Skype users

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The Ministry of Consumer Affairs' Scamwatch site has received a number of reports of scammers targeting Skype users.

The cold-calling computer virus scam, which first surfaced late in 2010 and targeted hundreds of thousands of New Zealand households in 2011, is still running hot and now targeting Skype users.

The scam works by mass cold-calling New Zealand Skype users with a recorded message telling you to visit a website. A number of reports specifically identify the website as http://www.helpsr.com/index.php.

From this point it appears that this is certainly the computer virus scam as the website appears to provide the same information that the cold-callers do over the phone. Basically, there is nothing at all wrong with your computer and, as long as you are running an up-to-date virus checker, then you are not likely to have a virus as the website claims.

Remember, if someone calls you out of the blue (or Skypes you out of the blue) to tell you that your computer has a virus, it's a scam, just hang up.

If you are at all concerned about viruses on your computer then have a New Zealand based technician take a look at it to ensure that the service you receive is covered by New Zealand law such as the Consumer Guarantees Act.

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