SCAM ALERT Several residents in the City of New Brighton have been contacted by phone by an unknown person claiming to be from Microsoft reporting their computer was infected. The caller continues to say their computer has been infected and they need to download an anti-virus program to clean the virus off their computer. The alert New Brighton resident noted it was a scam and hung up on the caller. If they would have downloaded the program they would have had to pay a high fee to the scam artist for the simulated virus program. Once downloaded on a victim’s computer the program typically locks the user out until they pay a ransom to have their computer unlocked by the suspects. The NBDPS is reminding everyone to have a commercially available anti-virus program on your computer that is up to date. Furthermore, Microsoft or Apple do not call people and notify them their computers are infected. Anyone calling purporting to be from a company who requires payment for un-solicited services should be treated as very suspicious. If you have any questions about the validity of a company or an offer please call 911 or conduct an internet search on the topic.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Jul 2013 20:39:52 +0000