The Oliver RCMP is warning residents to beware of a suspected telephone scam regarding computer repair services.
The detachment received a complaint from an Oliver resident who reported a problem she’s been having with a telephone solicitor.
For the past two years the complainant has been contacted and “harassed” by a so-called Microsoft representative.
The complainant believed the contact was a scam and advised the caller regarding her suspicions. She warned that if the calls continued, she would be reporting the harassment to police.
Coincidentally, the complainant purchased a new computer and began experiencing problems with the machine.
The purported Microsoft agent contacted her again, and due to the fact she was having computer problems, she relented and invited the representative to assist her.
At this point it was requested that the woman pay $299 to allow the agent to access to her computer and solve the problem.
“The complainant made the payment to Microsoft and now she is unable to access her hard drive at all,” said Sgt. Ken Harrington from the Oliver RCMP.
The officer believes these circumstances are suspicious, noting that Microsoft does not solicit, as far as he knows.
