The Bismarck Police Department is alerting residents to the existence of a scam that attempts to get the victim to allow the caller access to their computer. The scam is a new version of a scamming method called phishing, which is one way a scammer uses to get access to someone’s financial information, passwords and other sensitive information. In the most recent method, the victim is contacted via telephone by an individual who says they are a computer technician with Microsoft and that they have detected a virus on the victim’s computer. The caller then attempts to get the victim to open up their computer to allow the caller remote access in order to get rid of the virus. If the scammer is allowed access to the victim’s computer any sensitive material stored on it will be at risk.
A good rule of thumb to follow is to never give personal information, account numbers, passwords or your social security number to anyone over the telephone or face to face unless you initiated the contact. If you are skeptical of the person or doubt the validity of their intentions break off contact with them immediately. If you feel you have been a victim of a scam report it to the police, as well as any financial institution that you believe the scammer will have access to.
For more information on how to protect yourself from scams go to the ND Attorney General web site at www.ag.nd.gov and click on Consumer Protection.