Police Chief Warns Of Telephone Computer Scam

If someone calls, identifies themselves as a Microsoft employee and asks to repair your computer remotely, don't believe it.

That's the warning Police Chief David A. Paprota has after a reported incident of telephone fraud at 3:20 p.m. on April 20.

A Laurel Boulevard resident contacted police about a male who called and identified  himself as a Microsoft employee. The man said there was a problem with the resident's computer and that he needed to access the computer remotely to make the repair, the chief said.

The caller’s phone number appeared as 315-625-1818.  The phony employee asked the resident questions, then put another man on the phone who identified himself as a Microsoft supervisor, Paprota said.

"This subject advised the resident that he could not repair the computer remotely unless the resident first rendered payment," the chief said. "The resident realized the call was suspicious and hung up. He later contacted Microsoft, who advised him they never had anyone call him."

The phone number that appeared on the caller ID was not in service, Paprota said.

"Residents should be aware that it is has become more common for companies and individuals to mask their telephone number and set the caller ID information to read something to suit their purpose," he said. "In this instance, the information was a phone number that was out of service, whereas the fraudulent caller may also set the caller ID information to read a company name."