Microsoft Support Scam Accusations Levied by Pol-SU
In a concerning incident, a 71-year-old man from the town of Much was deceived by a scammer on March 18, 2023. The scam, which posed as a call from Microsoft, targeted the senior while he was using his computer around midday.
The scammer, claiming to be a Microsoft employee, convinced the senior that they had found three unauthorised transactions while searching for viruses on his computer. To reverse these transactions, the scammer needed the senior's online banking TAN.
The scammer then remotely accessed the senior's computer after a message appeared on his screen. In a bid to comply with the scammer's demands, the senior provided his banking information. As a result, three transactions totalling 250 euros were made.
The Rhein-Sieg District Police Headquarters has advised the public to remain vigilant against such scams. They urge individuals not to follow any links mentioned by suspicious callers, nor to disclose any personal information such as passwords.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, the police advise not to comply with the caller's demands and to end the call immediately. They also recommend not making any payments, such as providing credit card details, and not installing any software as instructed over the phone.
In case you become a victim of such a scam, the police advise reporting the incident to your nearest police station. If necessary, they also suggest disconnecting your computer from the internet.
For further inquiries or to report such incidents, you can contact the Rhein-Sieg District Police Headquarters or their Press Office. It is crucial to remember not to note down phone numbers from suspicious callers.
The police have stated that the fraudsters who initiated the scam calls have not been publicly identified. However, they remind the public to stay vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
Stay safe, and remember, Microsoft or any other legitimate company will never ask for your personal information or banking details over the phone.
