‘Windows’ scammers catch Collie couple

An elderly Collie couple have been left out of pocket following a recent phone scam.

The ‘‘Windows’’ scammers, posing as Microsoft engineers, contacted David and Inez Saunders on Wednesday and conned them into forwarding several hundred dollars.

‘‘I was gutted, absolutely gutted,’’ Mr Saunders said.

‘‘We got a phone call from someone saying they were from Microsoft Windows and they asked if we were having trouble with our computer speed.

‘‘He sounded really convincing and told us we needed to renew our maintenance warranty on our computer.’’

Mr Saunders then put his trust in the scammer and transferred nearly $200 before realising he had been conned.

To think we’ve been violated in this way is quite upsetting,’’ he said.

Mr Saunders gave some advice to anyone that receives a phone call from someone they don’t know.

‘‘Ask them for a phone number and tell them you will call them back because they will most likely hang up,’’ he said.

Consumer Protection South West regional officer Tresslyn Smith said the Saunders’ were not alone with the ‘‘Windows’’ scam going around for a long time.

Mrs Smith said the scam was arguably the most reported Consumer Protection has ever seen.

‘‘We have had hundreds of callers from all over Western Australia warn us about this,’’ she said.

‘‘All of a sudden it has popped up again in the South West over the last couple of weeks.’’

Mrs Smith said the ‘‘professional conmen’’ were exceptionally well prepared and warned the public not to let a third party access their computer.

‘‘If these people keep bothering you like a lot of people have, change your phone number,’’ she said.

‘‘That is drastic and you shouldn’t have to do that but you’ve got to protect yourself.’’

To report a scam, visit www.scamnet.wa.gov.au