Scam warnings to residents
Bridgend County Borough Council’s Trading Standards Service is warning residents about two scams in operation locally.
The first involves an unsolicited phone call, from a person claiming to be from Microsoft with an offer to provide your PC with protection against viruses and identity theft.
This is done by allowing the caller to gain remote access to the computer - but if the consumer does not agree to pay a ‘service charge’ of up to £200 then the caller claims the PC will no longer be accessible.
The advice is to disconnect the call immediately.
The second relates to an email being circulated in the name of National Statistician Jil Matheson. The hoax email entitled 'Population Census: a message to everyone - act now' demands individuals provide further personal information, supposedly for the Census and threatens fines for non-compliance. But it has no connection whatsoever with the National Statistician, the 2011 Census or the Office for National Statistics.
- You can report receipt suspicious emails or calls to Consumer Direct on 0808 156 6747, or via their website: consumerdirect.gov.uk.
- Last Updated: 01/02/2012
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