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Computer virus scam back with a vengeance

March is Fraud Prevention Month and the Competition Bureau has compiled a list of the top 10 scams over the last decade. Kelly Hayes / Global News

KELOWNA — The so-called Microsoft scam is making the rounds in the Okanagan again.

The ruse involves someone calling on the phone claiming to represent a large computer company such as Microsoft.

The caller says there’s something wrong with your computer and that a virus has been detected.

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With your permission, the scammer takes over your computer and offers to fix the problem for a price.

“While there is probably nothing wrong with their computer, the scammer has tricked the person into believing a problem exists,” says Kelowna RCMP Cst. Kris Clark.

“This leads to your credit card information being compromised as it is given to the scammer. In some cases, the service they offer may even be the installation of malware or spyware, making your computer a fountain of information for them.”

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Clark say four people have recently come forward saying they’ve received a call from the scammers. In some instances, they’ve called back multiple times.

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