Head of Service: Stephen Cooper / Environment & Building Services
Executive Director: Gordon Greenhill / Infrastructure Services Department

PRESS RELEASE

/ Grantfield
Lerwick
Shetland
ZE1 0NT
Telephone: 01595 744887
Fax: 01595 744804

www.shetland.gov.uk
If calling please ask for
David Marsh
Direct Dial: 01595 744862
Date: 07 September 2010

Beware of Microsoft Telephone Scam

Trading Standards are warning folk to be aware of a telephone scam. The caller may claim to be from Microsoft or to be working on behalf of Microsoft.

The caller sounds very believable, but Microsoft make it clear that they do not make unsolicited phone calls to request personal or financial information or to fix your computer.

Trading Standards Service Manager, David Marsh, advises: “The scam caller will know your name and address, most likely having got your details from the phonebook. Usually they ask if you are having problems with your computer, for example “Is it running slow?” They will say this is due to a virus and offer to talk you through the fixes, but in actual fact you could be giving them remote access to your computer. They will then charge for the ‘service’ they have just carried out.”

Councillor Iris Hawkins says: “Don’t be afraid to put the phone down. Never give out your personal details to anyone who phones you out of the blue.”

If you believe you have allowed someone access to your computer, change your passwords and report the incident to your credit card company and Microsoft.

Ends ……..

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Council’s Trading Standards web pages at www.shetland.gov.uk/tradingstandards have information about dealing with scams, together with general consumer advice and information and links to other useful websites.

For advice on any consumer issue (either as an individual or on behalf of a business), people in Shetland can call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06, Citizens Advice on 01595 694696, or Trading Standards on 01595 744887.

The Trading Standards Service is based at the Council’s Grantfield offices, where they can also be contacted by email to or by fax on 01595 744804.

David Marsh, Shetland Islands Council’s Trading Standards Service Manager, is available for interview if required – please contact or call 01595 744862 or 07887 592821.

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