Fraudulent call couldn’t catch this consumer out
QI AM 78 and a widow. Because I read this column regularly, I was prepared when I had a phone call which said it was from TalkTalk, warning me that I had a computer problem.
TalkTalk provides my phone and broadband – both working as they should so I had no complaints and had not noticed any difficulties.
This was a fraud call, just as you have warned about.
I put the phone down on that one, after telling them that if I had a problem, TalkTalk could write me a letter, setting out what the trouble was and how the firm intended to solve it.
I looked at the TalkTalk website which told me to report the fraud attempt. But I did not get a reply.
About three weeks after the first call, I had another one which was just the same except it was a woman phoning. I told her in no uncertain terms that I had an Apple Computer and they do not have the problems she said I had. She put the phone down.
I worry what would have happened if they had found my neighbour – she’s a recent convert to the internet and I don’t think she has read your warning.
So I told her to be very careful!
Can they know that I am an elderly widow living on my own? Maureen G
AFRAUDSTERS have name and home phone numbers but not much else.
It’s easy though to guess you’re with TalkTalk or BT or Sky because these and a few other internet service providers (ISPs) dominate.
They don’t know your age but sometimes you can guess by the voice – and they often ask subtle questions to work out you live alone.
People in your position are more likely, fraudsters believe, to be trusting and to hand over the money.
They assume everyone has Microsoft operating systems.
But if you tell them you have Apple or Linux, that won’t stop them from trying to con you into handing over your computer so they can remotely lock it up and charge you £300 or more to unlock it.
It’s good to warn your neighbour. She would otherwise be a target.
As for TalkTalk not replying, other than acknowledging your email, there is little it can do.
But telling your ISP helps remind you to warn your friends and family, so that is good. Send your question to askwhich@which.co.uk