Consumers Warned About Bogus PC Doctors

Business & Finance - Consumer

Monday, 11 October 2010 16:48

Written by Noel Cotter

The National Consumer Agency says it has received reports of consumers receiving cold calls from people claiming to be from major PC and software companies, asking for personal details.

The warning follows complaints earlier this year about cold calls claiming to come from an online services that fix problems with PCs.

Some of the callers claim that your PC has a virus, system crash or similar problem. They may also insist that they got your contact details because you completed an online questionnaire, even though you know, or strongly believe, that you did not.

They then say they can resolve the "problem" with your PC remotely - if you give them your credit card details and/or remote access to your PC.

Always be wary of these kinds of calls. Be extremely cautious about giving credit card details or other sensitive personal information to businesses that initiated contact with you, rather than you with them.

If you have lost money to this or any other type of scam, contact the Gardaí.