Microsoft has called in British police to stop an e-mail
scam that urges users to call a special number to get help securing
Windows.
The number, which connected the caller to a real Microsoft
number but charged more, was disconnected yesterday (6
February).
A Microsoft spokesman confirmed the company was "working with UK
police to investigate the e-mail scam".
"We don't think it is appropriate that somebody should defraud
our customers and, of course, it is our obligation to pursue any
such action," the spokesman said.
E-mail messages claiming to be from "Microsoft Technical
Support" and told readers to call a national rate number in the UK
to obtain a "vitally important" Windows security update first
appeared late December.
Charges for calling a national rate number vary by phone
operator, but are typically between 8p and 10p a minute. The owner
of the number would typically only get a small part of that, a
spokeswoman for UK telecoms regulator, Oftel said.
The scam is small, generating only several hundred pounds for
the perpetrators. Microsoft has asked the telephone carrier
involved that proceeds will be frozen pending police
investigation.
Even though the 0871-750-1250 phone number in the e-mail can
only be reached from inside the UK, the e-mail has been sent to
users around the world and has caused some confusion.
Microsoft advises users to always use a trusted reference when
contacting the company such as numbers listed in manuals or the
official Microsoft website.