Scams, phishing and fake support calls

Most successful attacks start with a person, not a piece of software. A convincing email, text or phone call persuades someone to click, call back or hand over details.

Warning signs

• Urgency: "Act now or your account will be closed"
• Unexpected calls claiming to be from Microsoft, your bank, your broadband provider or the police
• Links that do not go to the website they claim to
• Requests to install remote-access software or move money to a "safe account"

If you have been caught out

• Disconnect the computer from the internet.
• Contact your bank immediately if money or card details are involved.
• Change passwords from a different, clean device.
• Call us - we can clean the machine and check your accounts.
• Report scams to Action Fraud and forward suspect emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.

Genuine companies do not cold-call to tell you that your computer has a virus.