Crime News

I have been contacted by a couple of coordinators today who have received or know people who have recently received calls from people purporting to be from Microsoft.  These callers may use a number of scripts but in general appear to suggest that there is some kind of fault with your computer - possibly that it is running slow or that they have had a report that there is a virus in your computer.  In essence they will try and get you to provide them with money in return for providing a fix for your computer.  Unfortunately, some of these callers may be very proficient at convincing people that there is a major issue by slipping in computer jargon and confusing people with technical details and fixes that the average computer user might be unfamiliar with.  The callers telephone number is usually withheld in these calls should you try '1471' after terminating the call.
As this appears to be a current issue I have been onto the fraud pages of the Microsoft website and found a statement that the company have posted there about unsolicited calls.  This statement is copied below for your interest:
Microsoft does not make unsolicited phone calls to help you fix your computer

In this scam cybercriminals call you and claim to be from Microsoft Tech Support. They offer to help solve your computer problems. Once the crooks have gained your trust, they attempt to steal from you and damage your computer with malware including viruses and spyware.

Although law enforcement can trace phone numbers, perpetrators often use pay phones, disposable cellular phones, or stolen cellular phone numbers. It's better to avoid being conned rather than try to repair damage afterwards.

Treat all unsolicited phone calls with scepticism. Do not provide any personal information.

If you receive an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft Tech Support, hang up. We do not make these kinds of calls.
As confirmed in this statement, Microsoft do not make unsolicited calls  and would never contact you in this manner.  As such if you receive any calls of this nature please hang up and never provide any credit / debit card or personal details to anyone purporting to be from Microsoft.

 

A home watch coordinator has recently emailed me in relation to the email that was sent earlier in the week with regards to unsolicited calls from people claiming to be linked to microsoft.
He has kindly forwarded me some information from a recent article that he has read that suggests that people have also been receiving unsolicited call from people pretending to be from NTL or Dyson.  As with the microsoft scams the callers are trying to convince people that there is some sort of problem with their service / Dyson product and are trying to persuade the home-owner to part with their cash or bank details.  As with many such calls, it is unlikely that the caller actually knows that someone is an NTL or Dyson customer but similar to the phishing bank emails - due to a saturation of calls it is likely they will eventually reach someone who does have NTL or a Dyson at home.
At this time, I have not had any reports of anyone in this area being targeted by people purporting to be from Dyson or NTL.  However, having checked online there have been a number of reports of this elsewhere in the country, as nearby as Staffordshire.  In the articles that I have read they make reference to statements that have been made by Dyson where they confirm that they never cold call their customers in this manner and would not turn up at a customers home unless a customer has arranged the visit with them beforehand.
Is anyone does receive any telephone calls that they believe to be suspicious from these or any other company please report this directly to Cheshire Trading Standards Consumer Direct via 08454 04 05 06

 

 

Assault on Man in Crewe

Date of Incident: Wednesday 17 November 2010
Location of incident: Davenport Avenue area of Crewe

Police are appealing for witnesses after a Liverpool man was assaulted as he made his way through Crewe on Wednesday 17th November 2010.

The victim, who is 25 years of age, had travelled from his home in Liverpool by train to Crewe, to visit a friend who lives in the area. He got off the train at around 10.30am at Crewe railway station, and began walking to his friend's house.

At 11:54am he was found in a confused, but conscious, state by a passer by who alerted the emergency services. He had suffered a blow to the head.

He was taken by ambulance to Leighton hospital, and transferred later the same evening to North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary where he underwent surgery for a depressed fracture to the skull. He remains detained in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Police are keen to piece together how the victim came by his injury. It is thought at this stage, that the victim was struck on the head with a hammer, or similar instrument, by a white man wearing a black hooded top as he walked in the Davenport Avenue area of Crewe. However, the exact time at which the attack occurred, and the exact location, have yet to be firmly established, and police are appealing for information from the public who may have witnessed the attack itself, or be able to assist in piecing together the chronology around it. The victim had property missing following the attack, consisting of a Samsung mobile phone, cash, and a packet of cigarettes, and police are considering robbery as a possible motive.

Can you help?

Police are appealing to anyone who may have any information to contact:

• Detective Sergeant Claire Jesson on 0845 458 0000.
• Alternatively, information can be left anonymously on the Crimestoppers hotline 0800 555 111