A & R Ross Products
Hockey Pick 'Em

Sunset Memorial Gardens
Roy Thomas Exhibit
Gore Motors
News
Click here to see more
Subscribe
Community Calendar
Click here for full listings.
Poll
There are now plans for at least four new hotels in Thunder Bay. Do you feel we need that many?



Total Votes: 277
View Results Past Polls
Survey
Surveys are not available.
Email
2012-02-07 at 13:39

OPP tracking computer scam targeting area residents

By tbnewswatch.com
Treat your feet at Stride Footwear!We treat feet! And this month, HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS are treated to 15% all footwear!Click Here for Details

Officials with the Rainy River District OPP are urging people in the area to be aware of an ongoing computer scam. 

Officials say it involves a cold-call to a potential online customer, advising them of possible software problems. 

Once the fraudster is given remote access to the computer, glitches begin to appear. 

The owner of the computer is made aware that the glitches can be fixed with a payment of $180.

Police say they use a legit looking website to reassure victims. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPP.
 

 

(CKPR Radio)

Click here to submit a letter to the editor.

Click here to report a typo or error

Tbnewswatch.com(15)

Comments

We've improved our comment system.
codvx87 says:
This just in, advertisements on websites promising millions and not delivering!

This isn't local news, these scams happen over a botnet all over the world. The OPP can do nothing about it; and are promising a fake illusion of security.
2/7/2012 4:22:15 PM
trent says:
Sad but true. Most of these scammers operate out of countries where consumer protection laws either don't exist, or aren't enforced. Good luck trying to get your $180 back from Nigeria.
2/7/2012 5:16:35 PM
TBDR says:
"Officials say it involves a cold-call to a potential online customer". The internet fraud can't be tracked, but the phone call often can.
2/7/2012 5:44:12 PM
pearlman says:
"An illusion of security?"

They're simply informing the public of a scam that's currently hitting our area.

If the press release stops one person from falling for it, the 3 seconds it takes to read it was well worth the time, don't you think?
2/7/2012 7:10:43 PM
nvjgu says:
I got that call telling me there was something wrong with my comp. When I asked them for there phone number so I could callback in a few min ," They hung up. lol
2/7/2012 7:18:44 PM
sweetazmaple says:
if anyone is giving out there crdit card info to ppl who ask for it and you don't call the company to back it up ,, you my friend deserve everything you get
ohhhh and ps u better call your credit card company your credit card is now maxd out for fraudulant use ,,,, did you learn your lesson????
if not i have beach front property in arizona to sell you lol ( sacrasim)
2/8/2012 12:59:11 AM
Glyder says:
SARCASM...it's spelled S A R C A S M.

There, my good deed for the day.
2/8/2012 12:43:40 PM
unionbay880 says:
I think you mean "oceanfront" property. Beachfront property implies it would be on any water as there are numerous lakes in Arizona with beachfront property it makes it completly plausable that you could in fact have beachfront property for sale in Arizona. Ocenafront property in Arizona however would be impossible making it the scam you sarcasticly refer to.
2/8/2012 4:33:54 PM
Circular_Logic says:
Oceanfront; it's spelled O.C.E.A.N.F.R.O.N.T. Remember to deal with the log in your own eye; not the mote in sweetazmaple's. The spelling police strike again!!
2/13/2012 11:23:23 PM
yer joking says:
Ha Ha Somebody actually pays the OPP to do this. I'm glad they're not in charge of anything important.
2/8/2012 10:12:49 AM
codvx87 says:
These scams exist everywhere. This isn't hitting our area, it's hitting those who are vulnerable to a trojan horse/fake software, or simple social engineering over the phone.
2/8/2012 11:25:08 AM
stuck? says:
Got a few calls from people claiming the same thing. Parents would tell them that I'm their tech for personal and business work and they began to put me down and try to tell them that they are the choice to make.

Right. Trust a random phone call over somebody you've dealt with for years (whose also family). Decision made.
2/8/2012 12:25:06 PM
mamabear42 says:
I got a call like this yesterday the number was 000-000-0000...wt bleep, i let the machine get it
2/8/2012 6:23:04 PM
PC says:
I get calls all the time wanting info about my computer for maybe software problems.
I tell them I am not interested and hang up.
I hang up if I can't understand them as well so lots don't get to talk more than to ask for the computer owner.
Next time I will let them talk to my cats.
If anyone gives out access to their computer or info from their credit card is just plain stupid.
2/8/2012 6:50:45 PM
shake'n'myhead says:
It is unfortunate that there are people out there that use these scams to take peoples money. It also happens locally. A couple of years ago my father being the nice guy he was got scammed by a young couple who offered to take care of his lawn care needs. Seniors are the target for these scam artists because a lot of seniors live by themselves and find it harder to do what they use to be able to.
The scammers work in pairs. Usually a guy and girl. After mowing the lawn, a day or so later the girl will happen to be in the neighbour hood and have car troubles and needs to borrow money to get the car towed or fixed. Say good bye to your money.
There was a news article in the paper about this scam a couple of years ago.
2/9/2012 11:46:26 AM
Comments for this story are semi-moderated. Read our comment guideline.

Add a new comment.
You must log in to add comments.
Create a new account
Forgot password?
Log In
 
 
© 2012 Dougall Media.