Computer scam targeting Muskoka costs victims ‘thousands of dollars’: OPP

A woman works on a computer with her cell phone nearby in this file image. (generic)

Residents in Muskoka are being warned about a trending cyber fraud targeting the area that police say has cost victims thousands of dollars.

Provincial police say the scam involves pop-ups that appear to come from either Microsoft or UltraViewer about a computer hack or virus and directs the person to call the number provided.

Police say the caller is then told they have to pay to have the ‘virus’ removed. “Victims have lost thousands of dollars as this is a scam,” Huntsville OPP warns.

“If this happens to you, do not call the number provided or click any links. Take your computer to a computer servicing company to have it addressed,” the police service stated.

OPP says Microsoft also confirms it does not send unsolicited email messages or make phone calls for personal or financial information or provide technical support to fix a computer. “If you didn’t ask them to, they won’t call you to offer support,” OPP noted.

Additionally, Microsoft says it does not include contact numbers with pop-up error messages.

“Microsoft will never ask that you pay for support in the form of cryptocurrency like Bitcoin or gift cards,” it added.

Huntsville OPP urges residents to report suspected fraud immediately to local authorities and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online via the Fraud Reporting System.