Bognor pensioner netted by telephone computer scam

A pensioner from Aldwick, Bognor Regis paid out £250 to a company that telephoned him and tricked him into thinking his computer was full of viruses.

This scam, published by Which (Source: http://www.which.co.uk) on the 14^th December 2009, where it was reported, “Which? Computing has heard from consumers across the country who have been called by scammers pretending to be from the computer software giant Microsoft or an internet service provider. They say there's a virus on the consumer’s PC and take them through steps to fix the ‘problem’ which ends with the consumer allowing criminals remote access to their PCs. To add insult to injury, consumers are also asked to provide their credit card details in order to pay a fee for the repair.”

Mr.A, who has requested to remain anonymous, stated, “I have been fooled before by timeshare scams and should have seen this one coming. I contacted Pierre Towers of Bognor PC Doctor, who has now fully cleaned my computer and advised me to contact my bank to secure my card details, for which I am very grateful.”

Pierre Towers from Bognor PC Doctor (http://www.bpcd.co.uk) advises computer users to “ treat any phone call of this nature as highly suspicious and never give an unknown person access to your PC. We also recommend users have their computer checked and cleaned as soon as possible, should any slowness or abnormal behaviour be observed, to avoid cases of potential fraud or identity theft.”

Notes to editors

Bognor PC Doctor, Small Computer company recommended by Checkatrade (http://www.checkatrade.com) and approved by West Suusex Trading Standards Buy with Confidence (http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/trading-standards/buy-with-confidence/ ) is based at 101 Felpham Way, Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, PO22 8QB

Managing Director: Pierre Towers

Telephone: 01243 855755

Facebook, the New Virus Threat

With people in Britain spending 65% more time online than they did three years ago (source: UKOM, quoted in BBC News 19 May 2010), much of that using social networking websites such as Facebook, it is absolutely imperative that users have up to date, effective anti-virus software installed. The need for this has been highlighted in recent days at Felpham based business Bognor PC Doctor as owner Pierre Towers has seen a significant increase in the amount of computers being brought in with serious and potentially damaging virus infection.

"The usual source of virus infection is opening attachments on unsolicited email or visiting suspect adult websites," said Pierre, "But a check on the surfing history of computers that have been brought in to me with such infection has shown that the vast majority of my customers have been diligent in avoiding such actions. They have, however, been active users of social networking. One such customer, a lady who never opens attachments without knowing where they come from, came in with a laptop that was not functioning properly. She was shocked to find that there were over 114 different viruses on her machine. Although she had basic anti virus installed, it was not enough to combat these new forms of infection. "

This has led Pierre to believe that hackers are now using social networking websites to spread damaging viruses, through the sharing of "links" and applications. Not all creators of applications have good intentions in mind, Pierre believes.

Although practically all of his customers have anti virus software installed, much of it is not up to date, or sufficiently effective enough to deal with this new form of spreading viruses.

Pierre recommends that all computer users ensure that their anti virus software is regularly up dated and that virus scans are run at least once a month.

"This way", he says "people can stay online longer and not have to be without their computers while they are in having a complete reinstall in order to completely remove malicious viruses."

-ends-

Notes for Editors

Bognor PC Doctor has been in business since 2002, after the owner Mr Pierre Towers was made redundant from a major international company where he worked as a software tester. Initially starting up in his Haywards Close home, he now operates from a shop in Felpham Way, providing computer repairs, website building and hosting, training and much more.

Contact

Pierre Towers

Bognor PC Doctor

01243 855755

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Big Ideas for Small Businesses

01243 216135

Emma shoots for Black

Emma Harvey (http://www.emmaharveyphotography.co.uk ) , a keen young photographer from Ford, West Sussex is enjoying increased demand for her unique photographic skill following a recent photo shoot with up and coming Portsmouth musician Joe Black

Black, who claims his voice was obtained by living on a diet of “dust and tangerines” calls himself a “Pianist, accordionist and abuser of vocal chords”, and has shared the stage with a string of celebrities including Amy Whinehouse, Des O’Connor and Gary Numan. His album “The Bible of the Waltzing Cynic” released by Gilded Age Records, is likened to “Walt Disney, for the estranged”.

Emma, aged 16, is a student at St Philip Howard Catholic High School in Barnham .She started taking photographs of friends and relatives about a year ago. As word of her talent spread, she began receiving commissions for wedding, band and party shoots. It soon became apparent that her photography was becoming more than just a hobby. As a result, she set up her website, http://www.emmaharveyphotography.co.uk to showcase her abilities.

Emma’s session with Black, shot in Portsmouth, gave her the chance to demonstrate her creative skills, capturing the darkness of Black’s character whilst at the same time portraying a sense of fun. Mr Black was so impressed he now uses the results on his website and in promotional material.

To date, Emma has not had any formal training, allowing her natural talent to shine through. She does, however, plan to refine her skills by studying photography at college, while continuing to build her portfolio and making the most of any opportunities that may arise

Notes for Editors

Jpeg images are available

Emma can be contacted after school hours on:

Tel: 01903 731924
Mobile: 07967 336782

Email: info@emmaharveyphotography.co.uk

Website: http://www.emmaharveyphotography.co.uk

Alternatively, contact:

Pierre Towers

Tel: 01243 855755

Mobile : 07841 584522

Email: email@ptowers.com