This article is from page 13 of the 2012-06-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
COMPUTER users have been warned about a new electronic scam that targets people’s personal bank details.
Gardaí in Ennis have issued the warning after receiving a number of calls from concerned computer owners.
Sgt Joe Downey, Crime Prevention Officer, explained that in recent weeks people have received telephone calls indicating that their computers have viruses and then directing them to various websites.
The caller directs the person to input certain data and what is actually happening unknown to the person is that they are uploading a virus, which corrupts their computer.
The caller now has control of the person’s computer and is able to access personal information, especially information relating to bank account details.
Computer owners are being told to ignore these calls. The gardaí have issued the following advice to computer users: “Please do not accept this call and under no circumstances should you input data as directed by the caller. Hang up and ignore the caller, as legitimate computer companies do not operate in this manner.” 30/06/2012