The National Consumer Agency's helpline has recently received a series of complaints about cold calls claiming to come from an online service that fixes problems with PCs.
The callers claim that your PC has a virus, system crash or similar problem. They may also insist that they got your contact details because you completed an online questionnaire, even though you know, or strongly believe, that you did not.
They then say they can resolve the "problem" with your PC remotely - if you give them your credit card details and/or remote access to your PC.
Sometimes the callers give a website address which is very similar to the address of a genuine company. For example they may give Online PC Support | Online PC Repair, Computer Tech Support Online | Remote PC Repairs and Technical Support from Online PC Doctors (with an "s"), although there is a well-established business with the address Welcome to the Online PC Doctor! (with no "s" in the name).
Always be wary of these kinds of calls. A legitimate business would be very unlikely to know about problems that you have with your PC without your knowledge.
The NCA is aware that a legitimate company called pccare.ie has reported the matter to the Gardaí, while Welcome to the Online PC Doctor! has posted a warning about its site being spoofed and pointing out that it does not make cold calls.
The NCA urges consumers to be extremely cautious about giving credit card details over the phone to strangers - particularly to a business that you have never heard of before and that has initiated contact with you, rather than you with them.
If you have lost money to this or any other type of scam, contact the Gardai.
The callers claim that your PC has a virus, system crash or similar problem. They may also insist that they got your contact details because you completed an online questionnaire, even though you know, or strongly believe, that you did not.
They then say they can resolve the "problem" with your PC remotely - if you give them your credit card details and/or remote access to your PC.
Sometimes the callers give a website address which is very similar to the address of a genuine company. For example they may give Online PC Support | Online PC Repair, Computer Tech Support Online | Remote PC Repairs and Technical Support from Online PC Doctors (with an "s"), although there is a well-established business with the address Welcome to the Online PC Doctor! (with no "s" in the name).
Always be wary of these kinds of calls. A legitimate business would be very unlikely to know about problems that you have with your PC without your knowledge.
The NCA is aware that a legitimate company called pccare.ie has reported the matter to the Gardaí, while Welcome to the Online PC Doctor! has posted a warning about its site being spoofed and pointing out that it does not make cold calls.
The NCA urges consumers to be extremely cautious about giving credit card details over the phone to strangers - particularly to a business that you have never heard of before and that has initiated contact with you, rather than you with them.
If you have lost money to this or any other type of scam, contact the Gardai.