RCMP say computer scam making its way to East Kootenays
By Nelson Daily Staff
The latest scam affecting many Canadians has popped up in the East Kootenays.
RCMP in Kimberley and Cranbrook have received reports from residents that have been locked out of their computer.
The scammers send a pop-up message which often has a photo of the owner, taken by their own computer, stating that their computer has been frozen by police for a criminal investigation.
In some cases the pop-up provides a list of possible offences, while in other cases the pop-up may list specific offences often from sites that denote images and depictions of content that is adult rated in nature.
The message then tells recipients to pay $100 via a payment service provider so their computers can be unlocked.
Police warn these messages claim to come from the RCMP or other Canadian government agencies but under no circumstances come from authorities.
RCMP say these types of messages, commonly known as Ransomware or Scareware, are designed to create such shock and anxiety that victims respond by sending money quickly.
The public is advised that sending money your computer will not unlocked the computer or retrieve any money originally sent.
Anyone receiving this type of message must realize this is a scam.
For more information about this scam, go to the Ransomware page on the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website.External link, opens in a new windowwww.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/english/ransomware.html
Tips to protect yourself:
• Never click on a pop up that claims your computer has a virus
• Update your anti-virus software often and scan your computer for viruses regularly
• Don’t click on links or attachments in e-mails sent to you by someone you don’t know
• Turn on your browser’s pop-up blocking feature
• Never download anti-virus software from a pop-up or link sent to you in an e-mail
If you’ve received a ransomware / scareware message, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501) to report it.
For more information and tips about scams and frauds affecting Canadians, please go to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website at External link, opens in a new windowwww.antifraudcentre.ca/
