Police warn about new phone scam

File photo / NZH

Police have warned against a new phone scam in which the caller tries to get people to divulge computer information.

More than 60 Wellington residents have reported receiving a phone call from a person claiming to be a Microsoft employee, willing to help them fix a virus on their computer.

The scam had already been reported to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs through its Scam Watch website, however the police central communications call centre received around 50 phone calls about the scam yesterday and Wellington police have received another 10 more today, from residents of Wellington City, Hutt Valley and Kapiti.

Police said the caller claimed to work for Microsoft and offered assistance to help get rid of a virus, by disclosing computer passwords. They said anyone who received such a call should hang up immediately.

- NZPA