Conmen take control of home computers

The conmen are thought to be cold-calling hundreds of people in the area every day, claiming to be from Microsoft and warning them they have a computer virus.

They then convince the user to click on a web link which allows them remote access to the computer, enabling them to copy data including bank details.

One woman from Southside, who did not want to be named, received a call last week while she was checking her e-mails.

The 38-year-old said: "My computer was coming up with warning messages saying there were some connection problems and then the phone went and it was a woman with an Indian accent, although there was a good connection.

"She said she was from Microsoft helpdesk and that I had been sending error messages to them. She told me to go through various steps on the computer and then said that the problem was quite serous and I needed to do something about it, otherwise my hard drive could crash and I would need to spend a lot of money getting it fixed. The woman said there was a year-long contract with the Microsoft helpdesk which incurred a charge of 69."

By taking the woman through the various steps, the caller was able to gain remote access to the computer and installed software on it in an attempt to obtain the woman's bank details.

She was also passed to a man, who also had an Indian accent and claimed to be the caller's supervisor.

"He was really pushy and said, 'Just shut up and listen'. He said he was a Microsoft expert and nobody else would know about the system and that I should listen to him.

"I said I was going to go now and I hung up, feeling quite stressed."

The woman, who hasn't been on the internet since the 40-minute call and plans to have her computer checked by an expert, said: "I was just a bit naive, it seemed convincing to begin with but it didn't after about 20 minutes. I shouldn't have let them gain access to my computer but I suppose hindsight is a great thing."

Edinburgh-based media, internet and technology consultant Geoff Lynn, 39, said: "The scammers are cold-calling and taking the chance that the person answering has a computer and is on the internet.

"They cannot access your PC unless you click on a link they send you or go to a website they give you the address for."

A message on Microsoft's website warns that the company never makes unsolicited calls.

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Police added: "Our advice to avoid falling victim to fraud would be to never engage with someone who cold calls out of the blue and give them access to your computer. If you have concerns about your computer security, ask a known and trusted expert to assist."