23July 2018
Brits being targeted by fake BT engineers who access computers remotely and empty bank accounts
IT’s bad to talk Brits being targeted by fake BT engineers who access computers remotely and empty bank accounts
Financial adviser Joanna Coull was scammed out of £7,800 when she received a call from what she thought was a trusted company By Charlie Parker 22nd July 2018, 9:30 am Updated: 22nd July 2018, 10:03 am SCAMMERS posing as BT engineers are fleecing Brits of nearly £8,000 using new con tactics that let them access victims’ computers remotely.
Those affected, including pensioners, receive calls on their landline phones from fraudsters claiming there are security problems with their internet or bank account. Facebook Joanna Coull was conned out of £7,800 last year
David Couldwell’s NatWest savings account was drained of £7,767 by a fake BT engineer who took control of his computer.
The 73-year-old was told his router had been hacked and urgent security tests were needed.
He agreed to the tests and felt reassured when the caller got his router to ‘flash’.
But he then accessed David’s computer and the pensioner was told he would be given £500 for his inconvenience.
He provided his account details and £5,000, not £500, was placed in his account.
David was told he needed to refund the money, which he did, but the cash had in fact been transferred from one of his other accounts and wasn’t a new payment.
When he alerted his bank, NatWest, the criminals had taken £7,767.
The computer takeover fraud works by gaining unauthorised online access to victims’ details, allowing them to empty accounts at the click of mouse.
Criminals use “social engineering” tactics to deceive and manipulate people into divulging personal information. Reuters Hackers manipulate victims, gaining their trust as well as remote access to their computers and bank accounts
They pose as employees of a trusted organisation, like a person’s bank, the police, a government department or utility firm.
In many cases they ring up claiming there has been suspicious activity on the victim’s bank account or an internet problem that needs fixing.
The scammers then claim the only way to solve the phoney problem is if the victim provides their details.
Once acquired, they can remotely access accounts and plunder money. Investment scam recruiter Dan Lea is confronted by The Sun’s Jake Ryan
David, a retired computer manager, told the Mail on Sunday : “Maybe I should not have allowed myself to be tricked, but at the time I was convinced I was dealing with bona fide BT employees.”
On Friday, NatWest said: “We appreciate this has been a distressing experience for the Couldwells.
“We take our responsibilities seriously in preventing fraud and remind customers to remain vigilant against scams.”
It added: “Customers should never give anyone remote access to their computer and not divulge security details to someone over the phone. MOST READ IN THE NEWS GAGGING FOR SEX Married England ace bedded busty tourist – then PAID her £2k to cover it up CAST ADRIFT David Beckham’s broke nephew says he’s been ‘frozen out of the family’ dragged like a rag doll Safari park visitor poses with lion SECONDS before it attacked her KID ACID HORROR Boy, 3, deliberately attacked with acid in Home Bargains as cops hunt 3 men MOTORWAY MADNESS Brits face traffic hell as 9m dash to the beach to bask in 35C temps CRASH TRAGEDY Boy, eight, killed and three more seriously injured in horror car smash
“They should decline and report it to their bank immediately on a phone number they can trust.”
Last year, the newspaper reported a near identical case involving financial adviser Joanna Coull, who was scammed out of £7,800.
Katy Worobec, at UK Finance, said: “Criminals have become adept at impersonating legitimate organisations such as banks and utility companies to trick people into giving away their bank details.
“Never let someone else have access to your computer remotely, especially if they have contacted you via an unsolicited phone call.”
BT is working with law enforcement to crack down on the fraudsters, according to the paper.
According to trade body, UK Finance, banking fraud has seen £121million removed from customers’ accounts illegally.
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