A COMPUTER repair shop in Parkstone has received an increasing number of queries from customers who have had calls from people claiming to be from Microsoft.

Paul Betteridge from The Laptop Fixers, on Penn Hill, says they have been aware of the scam for some time.

He said: “In the past two weeks, we’ve been getting two to three calls a day from customers asking us what to do.

“We advise them to say that they already have antivirus software installed and hang up.”

Some, Paul says, have allowed the ‘scammers’ to access their computers after being shown the Windows error log, which is a legitimate part of the Windows operating system, but told that what they see are viruses.

“One of our customers was asked for £250 to protect his system, which he refused to pay, saying that he could not afford this as he was an OAP. They instantly reduced the price to £130.

“He refused and contacted us to check his computer out as they left his system with all the desktop icons missing.

“What they ask people to do is go to a website, a remote access site, which is actually legitimate, but they then go to the error log, where the things shown are probably nothing to worry about.

“There are sometimes big warnings with red crosses, but they are nothing to worry about.

“For example, on my computer, I have a warning saying that the computer needs to be rebooted due to new software updates. That just means I skipped the reboot before.”

“Microsoft themselves have no knowledge of your computer or what is on it. They will never contact you in anyway. If your computer actually isn’t working, go to someone you trust, like a computer shop.”

“You shouldn’t have to deal with a call out of the blue, then and there. If you need the help, you should be contacting someone instead.”

“Penn Hill is a small area and if we are getting these calls, imagine how big the problem really is. It could be a world-wide issue.”

The Laptop Fixers are offering a free diagnosis of any problems experienced since a scam caller accessed the computer.

Contact them on 01202 805000.