Possible computer scam. Need advice

[Pacific]

My DH may have fallen for a computer scam. He received a phone call from an obviously foreign call centre. They had him on the phone for about 1 and 1/2 hours running files and stuff. He is computer illiterate so just did what he was told.

They said they could fix our slow running computer and amongst other things he was being asked to press the 'windows' button together with other buttons but cannot remember which ones.

He cannot tell me any more about what happened, as I say, he fell hook line and sinker and would have done whatever this guy told him to.

I have cancelled all my bank cards in case the can get info about them. I have switched off the computer and disconected it from the internet.

Can anyone tell me what this scam is and what I should do now?

TIA

Information on this kind of scam here

Basically, they call up, get you to press various buttons and then tell you that X is wrong with your computer and you need to buy Y software from them to fix it. What has actually happened is that they have instructed you to download software which is designed to search your computer for personal information, and in the meantime you may well have also handed over your credit card details in order to 'purchase' the fix from them.

Cancelling your cards sounds like the right thing to do, you probably also need to run some anti-virus software that finds things like keyloggers and trojans to try and get whatever has been installed on your PC off your PC.

I had one of those phone calls this week. I told him he was speaking sxxxe and to go somewhere not very nice.

Have a look on the actionfraud website which is useful. Get your computer cleaned up as well.

He may well have also unwittingly followed the instructions that allow a remote computer operator to take control of your computer.

hi. Thanks for this info. This is the exact scam he fell for.I have alerted my bank and fortunately DH did not hand over credit card info.

I am going to take the PC to a computer shop tomorrow to see if it is possible to wipe the memory back to the operating system which will be a nuisance.

MoreBeta. DH did say that the scammer was moving the cursor remotely. Can you give any more information?

thank you

Pacific - go to your computer and look up Windows Remote Assistance under the Help section.

This is a brief summary below. Obvioulsy, inviting someone to access your computer directly allows them to look at files and data as well as just move the cursor.

Just disconnect it from the internet and obviously they can't. They could have just sat watching DH access his bank account online. How long after the contact was it before you disconnected teh PC? What did DH do inbetween?

What is Windows Remote Assistance?

Sometimes the best way to fix a problem is to have someone show you how. Windows Remote Assistance is a convenient way for someone you trust, such as a friend or technical support person, to connect to your computer and walk you through a solution?even if that person isn't nearby. To help ensure that only people you invite can connect to your computer using Windows Remote Assistance, all sessions are encrypted and password protected.

Remote Assistance connection between two computers

By following a few steps, you can invite someone to connect to your computer. After he or she is connected, that person can view your computer screen and chat with you about what you both see. With your permission, your helper can even use his or her own mouse and keyboard to control your computer and show you how to fix a problem. You can also help someone else the same way. For more information, see Get help with your computer using Windows Remote Assistance and Help someone with a computer problem using Windows Remote Assistance.

Hi Morebeta. This is really helpful stuff.

It was a few hours when I came in from work, I shut down the coputer and disabled the internet access. I immediately phoned the bank and credit card and cancelled my cards which are the only ones which have been used on line. We do not use either internet or telephone banking. I have not cancelled DHs cards on the same joint accounts because he has never bought anything online.

I am taking the computer to a repair shop today to try and get it wiped.

This all happened on wednesday and so far our accounts have not been touched.

I am bit worried about Paypal. Can that be accessed?

Thank you

Any login accounts on the computer that automatic login access (ie where the computer stores the password like when you login automatically to MN) might have been accessed or the password stored for future use by the person who called DH.

The only way forward is to wipe the hard disc, after storing any files you want, reinstalling everything fresh and then I would strongly recommend you change all online passwords. Sometimes these people keep the data for several years before using it.

Thank ou, moreBeta. Have taken PC to get wiped. I have changed Paypal password and will change all the others too. They are only website passwords, there are none that would allow access to payments.

Thank you for all your help.

omg someone actually fell for this !