Huron County man almost lost $18,000 in computer scam

BLYTH — A Huron County man narrowly avoided getting scammed for $18,000 thanks to his bank.

The scam was a long and convoluted one, designed to win the trust of the less-than tech savvy.

The scam started when the man in his 70’s called a phone number after a pop-up message on his computer told him his computer had a virus. The pop-up gave him the number and the scammer said he needed to remotely access the computer to install anti-virus software. The man paid $400 US for the privilege. But the scammers didn’t stop there.

After supposedly installing the software, it appeared to be working as advertised. However, after a few weeks the scammers called back to say they could no longer provide the service, and would refund the man his money.

After a few days, they called back again, and this is where the true scam was revealed. The scammers said they’d refunded the man too much: $18,000 too much as it turned out. Could he send them back the money? They even showed him his online account as proof.

But the bank flagged the transfer. As it turned out, the money was from the man’s own lesser-used accounts. The scammers, with remote access to his computer, had just moved the money over to his chequing account.
How to protect yourself from this digital trickery? Don’t engage, is the advice from Huron County OPP. If a random number calls saying your computer has a virus, hang up. If a pop-up on your computer says you have a problem and to call a certain number, don’t.

Some basic computer hygiene works as well. Don’t open links from people you don’t recognize; don’t send wire transfers to people you don’t know; don’t give anyone your credit card or banking information; keep your anti-virus software up to date; if you think you have a problem, reach out and contact a computer professional you trust.