Forum Topic

Virgin scam alert

Received a call about an hour ago from a lady going by the name of 'Mary Desouza' claiming to be from Virgin and trying to tell us that our internet was compromised. No details were asked for and when questioned she gave what she said was her Virgin employee number I.D. VE852056, then said we should go on to our computer and she would talk us through what to do. We said thanks but no thanks - we'll check you out first and if Virgin confirm what you are saying give us number to contact you back on - that number seems to be located in Australia! And was different from the one she called on. She could have been Filipino judging by the accent. Virgin confirm it's a load of baloney - consider yourselves warned.

Vanessa Smith ● 2038d6 Comments

I suspected so. You have confirmed it, thanks.

Nicholas Beard ● 2038d

Don't respond to the calls. It simply places you on a list of 'live' numbers which the scammers sell on to each other to try again with a different scam on a different day.

N V Brooks ● 2038d

Received two e-mails and a (missed) phone call today, saying our Office365 Business subscription was about to expire. We paid in November. Rang Microsoft: they said it's a scam, scam, scammity scam. We've changed the password - a security breach somewhere. I'm hoping they call again so that I can tell them to bog off.

Tracie Dudley Craig ● 2038d

Anne (if I may) the scam either relies on somone vulnerable or gullible enough to pass over 'confirmation' account details orconvincing the 'target' to allow the installation of "a small security file" on their phone or computer which they can subsequently use to reveal all passwords and any unencrypted account details.These are then used to either download a virus (which can be removed upon payment of a 'ransom') or to simply break into the target's financial accounts and transfer cash.If you get the computerised 'this call is from BT' voice, just put the phone down.

N V Brooks ● 2038d

I have had these calls about 8 times from people claiming to be from BT (my provider). What I would like to know is - how do these people end up extracting money or whatever from you should you be unfortunate enough to believe what they are saying and go along with what they are asking you to do?

Anne England ● 2038d

The call could have come from anywhere as the scammers use 'spoofing' software to produce a ficticious number.This is illegal in the UK but they can do nothing to stop it happening on calls from abroad.Normally they claim to be from BT but I have had calls from both Virgin and Talk Talk and I am a customer of neither.

N V Brooks ● 2038d