Nation's No. 1 computer scam hits Windsor-Essex
Canada's No. 1 fraud is a computer scam that has gone viral throughout Windsor-Essex.
Windsor police Staff Sgt. Gerry Corriveau, with the financial crime unit, said he received hundreds of calls in 2011 from consumers who describe someone calling them claiming they are able to help protect their personal computers from viruses.
One scenario involves a caller claiming they are from Microsoft or another reputable software company. Consumers say the scammers strongly suggest purchasing an antivirus repair service by credit card over the telephone.
"Unless you initiated the call, don't give your credit card number out. It's as simple as that," Corriveau said.
Scammers also use a scare tactic as bait for the scam.
"One of the hooks that they'll be using is saying somebody is sending child pornography out from your IP address. How much more harmful and shocking to the public can you get than to receive a phone call saying that your computer is sending out child porn?" Corriveau said.
"So automatically they're afraid the police are going to get involved and so they agree to it. I can certainly understand how people would fall for it because it's a very credible scam. But it's just that - it's a scam."
Scammers have also requested personal passwords that they claim will allow them to download anti-virus software as a third party. It has been reported that instead, they have installed malicious software to capture sensitive data such as banking user names and passwords, bank account information and personal identity information.
The virus scam has become a national investigation conducted by the RCMP and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. It has "grown to epidemic proportions in Canada," according to a report released in September by the CAFC. Between 70 and 80 per cent of frauds reported daily to the CAFC pertain to this specific scam.
Corriveau said what is problematic about the scam is the fact that although investigators believe the calls are originating outside of North America, the scammers are using voice over Internet protocol to essentially morph the call display to show a local area code.
"People rely on call display and the fact that it's accurate, but it's not. It's only accurate from a person you know," said Corriveau. "People should be aware that call display can be very easily faked, and that's part of this scam - they make it look like it's coming from somebody else."
Corriveau suggests if you have a problem with your computer, bring it to a repair shop. Microsoft will never call you; this is part of the hook of the scam, Corriveau said.
For more information about this scam, call the CAFC at 1-888-495-8501 or visit phonebusters.com.
To report a scam or provide any information that can help police with fraud investigations, contact the Windsor police financial crimes branch at (519) 255-6700 ext. 4330.
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