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.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.
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...
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.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.
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.
Hey Guys,
The portable Hard drive was attached to the computer at the time, Is this likely to be infected as well?
LOL you need to immediately sack your nanny for total idiocy and incompetence.
What a tool....
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.
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
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
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.
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
LOL ...... you have a Nanny?
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.
~
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
That's a very patronising statement. It's somewhat unreasonable to assume that anyone over 55 is suddenly going to become incompetent!It may be worth considering having a test or medical for seniors before they are allowed do internet banking.
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