At Junk Mail we aim to keep all our users in the know. When we release a new Junk Mail service you are the first to know. We realize that you are sometimes too busy to read up on all the latest news. So we bring the news to you through our regular blog updates.
As you know, the Junk Mail Scam Busting Team take scams very seriously and we are always on the look-out for the new scams that are making their rounds so we can inform you before you become a victim.
A Junk Mail user recently sent us a message to inform us about a new scam that has been circulating during the festive season. We would like to take this time to bring this fake computer maintenance scam to your attention.
How the Scam Works: A person finds your details on the Internet or in the telephone book and phones you saying that they are from Company X. They go on to say that they need to check your computer as they are doing routine website maintenance for Company X. He asks you to go onto the Internet and connect to the company’s website (because you use it regularly). He then says you need to download a programme that helps to increase the speed of your computer so you can use the website better. Once this is all complete, he asks you in a clever way whether you have Internet Banking and whether you have made a payment on the company site. The programme you downloaded is able to get your Internet Banking details and then he has access to your bank account.The main thing to watch out for is the number that shows on your phone if you have IdentiCall. It starts with ’000′ and a lot of numbers” or “out of order”. It is clear that this people are trying to get access to your PC to get your Internet Banking details and they are very smooth talkers.
Rule of thumb: Never trustanyone who asks for your banking details or asks you to access your computer remotely without you requesting maintenance.
What to do:
(1) If you don’t have IdentiCall and you receive a call from a stranger claiming they are from a certain company doing routine computer maintenance you have the right to phone the company in question and ask whether they are doing maintenance. If they are not doing computer maintenance explain the full story of what happened to you so they can send a message to all their clients alerting them of these fraudsters. By doing this you may help many unsuspected victims of the scam before they get caught.
(2) You must remember to ask the caller for their name, title, work phone number and ID number. If they refuse to provide these details you have the right to tell them that they must not call you again as you don’t require their services and promptly put down the phone.
The Junk Mail team would like to take this opportunity to thank Johan for making us aware of this scam. Junk Mail would like to confirm that we are not doing computer maintenance and if you get a call from someone from “Junk Mail” that is claiming to offer you this or other computer maintenance services, please make sure you tell him that you know he is a scammer and you will report him to the police as you have his number on IdentiCall. This should give these con artists the message that the game is up and that we have their eye on them.
Johan has not only taken the time to give all of you great scam avoidance lessons but has also made sure you are more aware of this type of scam. Johan worked in a Detective branch for many years (so he is better trained at spotting these types of cons) but he felt it was his duty to warn our users so that they did not fall victim to this scam. We are very thankful that Johan cared enough to share his experience with us and I am sure you are too.
Now it is your duty to make sure you are always in the know by checking our blog for more informative updates so that you can continue to trade safely online. If you do come across a scam on our site make sure you contact our customer care team immediately at ccc@junkmail.co.za so that our Scam Busting Team can deactivate the advert. If you have spotted a new scam and would like to share this story with us please e-mail us so we can make the entire Junk Mail community aware. We ask that you please share this post with your Friends on Facebook and Twitter and make sure that they are also aware of this con and don’t get swindled out of their hard earned cash.
Check out these related posts in the Safety & Security category on the Junk Mail blog:
A person is advertising a 2004 Land Rover 110 TD5, well below market value. When you ask about it, he says that the transaction will be concluded over eBay as he is in the UK. This is the same modus operandi and verbatim email used last year. The link below shows the same scam being played in 2011. http://answercenter.ebay.com/question/Trust-Safety-Safeharbor/Buying-Car/1000286712 Do not fall for this trick!
Thanks for informing us about this! We will be removing the adverts for the 2004 Land Rover 110 TD5 that are listed on our website ASAP.
Toyota Hilux 3.0 D4D Double Cab Johannesburg
ID: 25819823
– See more at: http://www.junkmail.co.za/motoring/toyota/gauteng/johannesburg/toyota-hilux-3.0-d4d-double-cab-25819823#sthash.eYch8x2l.dpuf
Thanks for sharing this advert
Ad no. 29645019 is a scam. I asked for a quote on DVDs and paid what they quoted but they refuse to deliver. They also do not reveal ANY identity. Please investigate
Motorhomes advert id 33077669
The guy selling a mercedes motorhome for only 40 000.
Using the sama modus opperandi
living in Uk Divorced. Ebay
menthod op payment. Only replies by email. You cant see the vehicle and must pay and if not happy you can get your money back. ha ha ha (after 10 days ) ????? be aware
Ride on lawn mowers ID 33371407 it is a scam I lost R14000 be awere.
ID: 35137907,061 4708905. http://realgadgetselectronis.wozaonline.co.za#sthash.sCU4lXJ1.dpufcameras, D70 canon, + many other cameras & lenses, one big scam. unfortunately they got me.
Hi Richard,
We are sorry to hear you’ve been conned.
Thank you for the information. Our Scam Busters are looking into the advertiser!
Thank you for using Junk Mail!
Kyk uit vir Ride on grassnyer adv.onder die name Leo,Dave,Jan,Alex en David! PASOP!!!!!! Ek is ingeloop met ‘n SCAM van R18100,00
Hi Kobus. Ons is baie jammer om te hoor dat jy ingeloop is. Wees asb so gaaf om die adverteerders te besonderhede na customercare@junkmail.co.za te stuur. Baie dankie byvoorbaat!
AD ID 39984168 REAL WENDYS David Sithole TEl 083 753 8356 We orded a log cabin, he asked for a R6000.00 deposit which we paid, Promised to deliver on Friday, then Saturday. Now he cuts our calls and has turned his phone off.
Hi Sue,
Thank you for the heads-up. All ads by this advertiser has been deactivated. Please make sure to open a case with your local Police station. Please also keep us in the loop with the case if you do not mind: CustomerCare@JunkMail.co.za.
I went to the police station to open up a case and they said that this is a civil case and they cannot help me. What would you suggest now we do?