Police have recently been made aware of an incident where victims have been using their computer at home when a message box pops up from ‘Microsoft’.
This message states to the victim that their computer has been frozen and they need to call the phone number in the ‘Microsoft’ message to unfreeze it. Calling this number obviously calls the ‘hacker’, who will pressure you in a convincing way to provide your details.
In one case, after the victim has called the phone number, they have then provided the call taker with his driver’s licence number, name, address, phone number, and bank account details, as well as his credit card number and the 3-digit pin on the rear of his card.
The hacker has then asked the victim to download an app called “Anycase”, which the hacker has then been able to control the victim’s mobile phone and computer. The victim has also downloaded an app at the request of the hacker and scanned their fingerprints to the hacker.
Please read and be aware of the above information and at no time – give out any personal details at all.
For more information on current scams and how to protect yourself from scams visit www.scamwatch.gov.au.
