OMG!!! I think my Nanny just got scammed

[drsmith]

Hey Guys,

My Nanny has been receiving phone calls for about a week from some one who said they are from windows, and that they need credit card number plus online access to her computer to clear out "Error's and viruses".

I told Her to hang up on them, But today the called again and she cracked and gave them her details and allowed them to access her computer online.

Until recently I have been getting swamped with cold callers trying to sell their wares, with a high proportion being holiday promotions. My response typically was either to hang up, sometimes with two short words prior to hanging up.

Recently though I have changed tack and now advise that I wish to unsubscribe and not to contact this number again. Since doing that, the number of cold callers that I get has thinned somewhat.

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

Hey Guys,

My Nanny has been receiving phone calls for about a week from some one who said they are from windows, and that they need credit card number plus online access to her computer to clear out "Error's and viruses".

I told Her to hang up on them, But today the called again and she cracked and gave them her details and allowed them to access her computer online.

Now I don't know what to do, she says they spent about 30 min playing with her computer over the net ( who knows what they have installed ) she still kind of believes it may be all above board, What should I do from here?

I have told her to turn off her computer and disconnect the internet.

Any suggestions on what to do, How can I clear any dodgy software they have loaded?

Has this happend to anyone else?

You have two options TB.

Getting rid of her computer is one of them.

The other is to take an injunction out on Nanny forbidding her from any dealings with the public at large other than the exchange of small coin for her food or failings.

gg

Hopefully you are having a joke; there is no need to get "rid" of the computer, gg...

I just feel that a computer in the hands of Nanny is a bit like having a loaded weapon, it may go off at any time.

Nanny would be better off selling chook raffle tickets of a day at the local bowls club rather than chatting to Nigerian scammers in front of her iMac or on her tablet.

It is just a suggestion to save Nanny's bank account and an attempt to have her engaged more usefully with the wider community.

gg

 

[Julia]

I am not that tech savvy, How would I go about clearing her computor, Can I do it myself or should I get a professional to do it.

Despite Lost My Shirt's assurances that there's little to worry about, I'd be calling a professional since you concede you're not tech savvy, something I get absolutely.

It seems to me there are two issues here. The first is any unwelcome stuff they have had your nanny install on her computer.

The second is that you say she has given them all her details. Imo this is way more of a worry, so I'm glad to know she has contacted the police. Might also be worth contacting the credit ratings agencies with an explanation of what has happened.

As Pixel says, it's just a very unpleasant thing to have happened and hopefully now she'll be a bit more awake to never, ever giving anyone her details over the net.
She will be upset and worried, however, so imo it's absolutely worth spending a $100 or a bit more to get a professional job done and give her the reassurance all is OK.

I suppose she'll be one of thousands. No wonder the scammers keep going.
I get one of these calls about every fortnight plus the email messages that my XXX bank a/c has been compromised.
Good luck with it all, Tyson. Very nasty.

 

[LostMyShirt]

Despite Lost My Shirt's assurances that there's little to worry about, I'd be calling a professional since you concede you're not tech savvy, something I get absolutely.

It seems to me there are two issues here. The first is any unwelcome stuff they have had your nanny install on her computer.

The second is that you say she has given them all her details. Imo this is way more of a worry, so I'm glad to know she has contacted the police. Might also be worth contacting the credit ratings agencies with an explanation of what has happened.

As Pixel says, it's just a very unpleasant thing to have happened and hopefully now she'll be a bit more awake to never, ever giving anyone her details over the net.
She will be upset and worried, however, so imo it's absolutely worth spending a $100 or a bit more to get a professional job done and give her the reassurance all is OK.

I suppose she'll be one of thousands. No wonder the scammers keep going.
I get one of these calls about every fortnight plus the email messages that my XXX bank a/c has been compromised.
Good luck with it all, Tyson. Very nasty.

Julia, you make a valid point. It was wrong of me to assume that everyone had the know-how to conduct a fresh windows reinstall with the format option. Though there is nothing much to worry about pertaining to the machine itself; you bring up the fact that the nanny has given personal details. I hope they did not obtain credit card details...

Tyson; if you know how to format a computer using the Windows 7 disc, then do so and have no fear. Though if you do not, call someone to do it for you. There is very little you can mess up - and as long as you have your backed up documents etc. there is not too much damage you can do besides the hassle of learning the process through trail and error.

 

[So_Cynical]

Hey Guys,

My Nanny has been receiving phone calls for about a week from some one who said they are from windows, and that they need credit card number plus online access to her computer to clear out "Error's and viruses".

I told Her to hang up on them, But today the called again and she cracked and gave them her details and allowed them to access her computer online.

LOL you need to immediately sack your nanny for total idiocy and incompetence.

What a tool.

------------------

what's needed is a format of all drives and a reinstall of windows....its the equivalent of " I say we take off and nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."

Hey Guys,

The portable Hard drive was attached to the computer at the time, Is this likely to be infected as well?

Was it on? if not its a non issue...just disconnect it before formatting (turning on the parent PC)

if it was on and connected...it also needs to be formatted.

 

[pixel]

I would like to commend Julia for her sympathetic and measured response.
Maybe it's because I am getting to that "certain age" myself; and I definitely know many retirees in the upper age bracket, for whom a computer and Internet connection is often the only way to stay in touch with loved ones, kids, grandkids, and friends from days past.

I find it unpleasant and inconsiderate in the extreme to judge a "Nanny", who has just been conned by heartless thugs, as being non-compos or unqualified to own or use a computer. Those commentators that find her experience hilarious and worthy of ridicule: Imagine it's your Nanny; or worse, it could be you in a couple of years, when some technological gizmo has evolved beyond your feeble comprehension. Would it still feel so hilarious to be told "Sit back in your LazyBoy and don't touch this" if "this" happens to be your only window to see a smiling grandchild that happens to live on another continent?

 

[sails]

LOL you need to immediately sack your nanny for total idiocy and incompetence.

What a tool....

I took this as being TB's grandmother - what is it with some people who jump to the worst conclusion about other people...lol

 

[trainspotter]

LOL ...... you have a Nanny? Anyhooooo Spyware Doctor or similar to check for bugs/viruses. Try a system restore to a date prior to intrusion as well. If this does not work then you will need to do a complete product recovery and reinstall.

 

[Tysonboss1]

If it were me I would

1. Remove the hard drive and reinstall operating system on a new one.

or

2. Just buy her a new computer ($500 or so should do her nicely)


Just NOT worth the risk of letting the trojan they put onto her computer getting her other details.

Also, she is NOT to use the computer / internet until this is done

MW

PS a portable hard drive is about $60

It depends on the way it's formatted and being used.
If it's only a data disk, a Trojan may be difficult to hide and easy to detect.
But why take the risk? Like mw said, it may cost more than the $60 for a new disk, if you have a reputable virus sleuth investigate and give your old disk the All Clear. I would only do that if the data on that disk were valuable enough to wear the overhead.

It's not so much the cost of the portable hardrive I am worried about, I was just hoping on saving some of the photo's if it was safe to do so.

 

[Tysonboss1]

I just feel that a computer in the hands of Nanny is a bit like having a loaded weapon, it may go off at any time.

Nanny would be better off selling chook raffle tickets of a day at the local bowls club rather than chatting to Nigerian scammers in front of her iMac or on her tablet.

It is just a suggestion to save Nanny's bank account and an attempt to have her engaged more usefully with the wider community.

gg

The Computer has been great for Nanny, We have taught her to use emails, facebook and skype which has been good as her family is spread around the country and it helps her keep in touch with the family.

One of her sons has put a bit of fear in her now because he has told her the scammer must have found her on facebook. I am trying to tell her it is more likly they found her in the phone book.

 

[sval62]

I just feel that a computer in the hands of Nanny is a bit like having a loaded weapon, it may go off at any time.

Nanny would be better off selling chook raffle tickets of a day at the local bowls club rather than chatting to Nigerian scammers in front of her iMac or on her tablet.

It is just a suggestion to save Nanny's bank account and an attempt to have her engaged more usefully with the wider community.

gg

gg you break me up what a classic, but I wonder what you would do if she was this type of Nanny

 

[Tysonboss1]

Despite Lost My Shirt's assurances that there's little to worry about, I'd be calling a professional since you concede you're not tech savvy, something I get absolutely.

It seems to me there are two issues here. The first is any unwelcome stuff they have had your nanny install on her computer.

The second is that you say she has given them all her details. Imo this is way more of a worry, so I'm glad to know she has contacted the police. Might also be worth contacting the credit ratings agencies with an explanation of what has happened.

As Pixel says, it's just a very unpleasant thing to have happened and hopefully now she'll be a bit more awake to never, ever giving anyone her details over the net.
She will be upset and worried, however, so imo it's absolutely worth spending a $100 or a bit more to get a professional job done and give her the reassurance all is OK.

I suppose she'll be one of thousands. No wonder the scammers keep going.
I get one of these calls about every fortnight plus the email messages that my XXX bank a/c has been compromised.
Good luck with it all, Tyson. Very nasty.

Thanks Julia,

Yes, I think I am going to get a professional to look at it. I have told her not to turn it on or connect the internet cable till we can sort it out on monday.

Unfortunately she did give her credit details and they did process a transaction, But the bank has closed the card and reversed the transaction.

It is a nasty thing, I suppose the ones who fall for it most are the most trusting people.

 

[Tysonboss1]

Julia, you make a valid point. It was wrong of me to assume that everyone had the know-how to conduct a fresh windows reinstall with the format option. Though there is nothing much to worry about pertaining to the machine itself; you bring up the fact that the nanny has given personal details. I hope they did not obtain credit card details...

Tyson; if you know how to format a computer using the Windows 7 disc, then do so and have no fear. Though if you do not, call someone to do it for you. There is very little you can mess up - and as long as you have your backed up documents etc. there is not too much damage you can do besides the hassle of learning the process through trail and error.

I think I will get a professional, My knowledge of computers does not extend into the technical side, i am an avid user but thats it.

 

[Tysonboss1]

LOL you need to immediately sack your nanny for total idiocy and incompetence.

What a tool.



.

Ha Ha,... No So_c , She is a grandmother, Not an employee who cares for children.

I took this as being TB's grandmother - what is it with some people who jump to the worst conclusion about other people...lol

Yes, you are right. But I can see where people may be confused.

LOL ...... you have a Nanny?

Yes.

 

[So_Cynical]

Ha Ha,... No So_c , She is a grandmother, Not an employee who cares for children.

Eeerr sorry TB i have never heard of a nana being called a nanny....lots of technology can be dangerous in the hands of the inexperienced, computers, cars, phones etc etc.
~

 

[sails]

Eeerr sorry TB i have never heard of a nana being called a nanny....lots of technology can be dangerous in the hands of the inexperienced, computers, cars, phones etc etc.
~

lol So_Cynical - When reading the header, I initially thought Nanny was a paid nanny, but reading the context made it pretty clear it was TB's grandmother...

TB - I would think your photos would be safe but would run a spyware check over those files to be sure. However, I am not a techie guru so take the suggestions of those who are more knowledgeable than myself.

It's good that Nanny is keeping up with the times. Hopefully this won't put her off her social networking but will help her understand to never, ever, ever give out details, click links in bad emails, etc. She sounds pretty smart so she should fairly quickly learn the risks.

One of my granddaughters is just starting out on facebook and she is being taught about internet safety while facebook use is being monitored carefully. As I told her the other day, it just like learning road safety and there are some safety rules to learn with a big dose of common sense. One rule is to understand that you never really know to whom you are chatting and may have nothing to do with the nice looking kid in the avatar.

All the best TB and hope Nanny is up and running with her computer again soon. Good for her to give this a go...

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

Thanks Julia,

Yes, I think I am going to get a professional to look at it. I have told her not to turn it on or connect the internet cable till we can sort it out on monday.

Unfortunately she did give her credit details and they did process a transaction, But the bank has closed the card and reversed the transaction.

It is a nasty thing, I suppose the ones who fall for it most are the most trusting people.

It may be worth considering having a test or medical for seniors before they are allowed do internet banking.

There must be many folk out there who are bait for Nigerian scammers.

A trusting nanny could be lethal to a family's wealth.

gg

 

[Calliope]

It may be worth considering having a test or medical for seniors before they are allowed do internet banking.

There must be many folk out there who are bait for Nigerian scammers.

A trusting nanny could be lethal to a family's wealth.

gg

There has no system yet devised that will protect the gullible from from the scammers. The gullible are usually motivated by dreams of wealth, love or fear, and they are not always the elderly, or the unsophisticated.

 

[Julia]

It may be worth considering having a test or medical for seniors before they are allowed do internet banking.

That's a very patronising statement. It's somewhat unreasonable to assume that anyone over 55 is suddenly going to become incompetent!

1. There's nothing complicated about internet banking for anyone of any age.

2. This thread is not to do with internet banking but the miserable scammers who prey on vulnerable people.

3. The scammers impersonating Microsoft are very polite and quite convincing. To someone who has only fairly recently become involved with a computer, the fear that they may have some nasty virus could be enough to disarm their usual wariness.

I have neighbours in their 30's, one a teacher, who were initially taken in by the "Microsoft" adviser, and woke up just in time.

 

[pixel]

Well said, Julia;

I didn't want to go into details, but among my clients there are many younger people, who are - or should be - tech-savvy. The person, for whom my general warning had come too late was also in her 30's, and a journalist at that.

So, if teachers and journos can be sucked into scams like this, and if GG wants to ban every potential victim from using a computer, how many of us would be left?

Maybe the IBM Analyst was right after all, who opined in the early 1950s that IBM should not waste any money on developing an electronic calculating device. His rationale was, the need for those contraptions was very limited; he believed no more than five computers would ever be needed world-wide.