Scam call warning

A WARNING has been issued after a Widnes resident received a scam telephone call from a con artist who claimed to be from Microsoft.

A Halton Borough Council spokesman said the caller, whose first language was not English, told the resident that his computer had been hacked.

The resident suspected it was a scam and put the phone down.

Microsoft does not send unsolicited email messages or make unsolicited phone calls to request personal and financial information or to fix computers.

Residents can find out more about how to protect themselves by visiting Microsoft’s Tech support scams page at www.microsoft.com and then searching ‘tech support scams’.

Those who themselves or know somebody who has been caught out by a con artist can call specialist officers on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775 who are already working with people in Halton.

Contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline or 0345 404 0506.