Oklahomans Hit By Scam Targeting Computers With Viruses

Emily Baucum, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Some people in Green Country have been victims of a scam targeting just about anyone who owns a computer.

The phone call begins with what seems like an innocent offer to fix a computer infected with viruses.  But it's an extortion scheme, where the scammers try to get as much personal information from the computer owner as possible, plus hundreds of dollars to fix a computer that probably wasn't broken in the first place.

The scammer says he works for Microsoft. He knows your name, what kind of computer you have, and what version of Windows it runs.

Listen to a phone call between a scammer and a computer owner

So when he said Darlene Bailey's computer was about to crash and send out a virus to everyone she knows, she believed him.

"I'm thinking, 'Oh my, that's the reason my computer was running slow.'" Bailey said. "He said, 'Okay, I need you to let me have access to the computer so that I can turn the switch off.'"

Bailey gave the stranger remote access to her computer, handing over the keys to her life: emails, bank accounts, maybe even credit card numbers.

"He said, 'Wait a minute. Your Windows version has expired. You're only allowed to use Windows for five years," she said.

The scammer made her an offer: $130 to use Windows for one more year or $500 for lifetime use.

"I'm thinking, 'That's not right. That is a scam for sure," Bailey said.

"Microsoft's never going to call you and tell you your system isn't secure or out of date," Damon DoRemus, with Geek Rescue, said. "It costs them too much money and they're just not that interested."

Geek Rescue repair teams say a handful of Tulsa customers have shown up, computers in hand, saying they fell prey to the scammers.  What worries them is how much time and money scammers are spending on lengthy phone calls with potential victims.

"That's pretty targeted and a little scary," DoRemus said.

Bailey's computer is now fixed. As for her financial records, the damage may be done and she has a message for others in cyberspace.

"Don't be so gullible," she said. "I didn't think it was going to happen to me."

Geek Rescue says it costs around $150 to clean up the mess the scammers leave behind.