TalkTalk users vulnerable to scam

There has been a scam around for a while that is now being used to target TalkTalk customers who might be concerned about problems following the hack of TalkTalk’s website. Now, as you read this you are thinking “But I am not a TalkTalk customer”, however you may know of someone who is, particularly if they are older, so please mention this to them.

First things first, TalkTalk will not ring to tell you that you have a problem with your broadband or phone: you have to ring them. So it makes it even more improbable that if someone is on the phone from TalkTalk that they have rung to discuss a problem with your computer or laptop.

The caller will talk you through some steps which will show you that your computer has lots of errors on it. (This does not necessarily mean there are problems on your computer, as often it is just the way the reporting of activity is displayed in the logs.) Once they have done this they will walk you through a process, which will actually give them access to your computer. This is where things now get ‘nasty’ as you have no idea what they are doing.

The computer will be restarted and the next time it comes on you will be presented with an unusual looking request for a password. It’s at this point the person on the phone will tell you that they want money to give you the password to let you in!

So, the message is DON’T TALK TO THEM AT ALL IN THE FIRST PLACE.