The Quesnel RCMP would like to alert the public about an anti-virus computer scam which has surfaced in the community.
During the past week, several Quesnel residents have received phone calls involving fraudulent solicitation for anti-virus software. Victims have received unsolicited calls from someone posing as a computer repair technician. The caller then advises that the victim's computer has been infected by a virus and then requests remote access to the computer. The caller tells the unsuspecting victim that they must take immediate action to resolve the problem. The caller walks the victim through a step by step process which allows the caller to gain control of the computer remotely - giving access to the victim's files and personal information. The caller demands credit card payment for the computer repair services payable to foreign accounts in amounts ranging from $35 to close to $500.
The Quesnel RCMP would like to remind the public to be extremely cautious of any service provider who calls and offers to upgrade your computer's anti-virus software remotely over the phone. Allowing someone to remotely access your computer is dangerous and can leave you vulnerable to a variety of frauds. For more information on how to recognize fraud before you become a victim, visit the Government of Canada's Anti-Fraud Centre's website www.phonebusters.com.
If you are the victim of fraud, report it to the Quesnel RCMP at 250-992-9211 and the Government of Canada's Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
