SINGAPORE - Beware of conmen who pretend to be calling from major software companies and try to trick victims into paying for additional software, the police have warned.
The callers would tell victims that their computers have been compromised and used for illegal online activities, before getting victims to download and install one or more software from the Internet.
The victims would also be asked to provide their software user account identification codes and passwords; some were also instructed to enter commands into their computers.
Some of the computers were then remotely controlled. The callers would then convince the victims to buy additional software by making online payments or by providing their credit card details.
The police have advised members of the public to hang up the phone if they receive such suspicious calls, and to not make any payment or give out credit card details.
If any information, such as passwords, has been given out, one should immediately change the computer's log-in password and all other passwords associated with online accounts, such as e-mails and social media accounts, online banking and credit card passwords.
They should also scan their computer to make sure malware has not been installed.
Any information related to such scams should be reported to the Police hotline on 1800-255-0000 or online at www.police.gov.sg/CrimeStopper.
