Hacker 'helpers' trash man's computer

A Post Falls man admitted he fell for a scam that has been targeting North Idaho residents lately.

He received a call on May 19 from an individual claiming that hackers were invading his Windows Internet Explorer.

The 85-year-old man allowed the caller to access his computer from another location.

"That's a big mistake," the Post Falls man said. "They took over my computer and totally, totally wrecked it. It won't even boot up anymore."

Realizing after the call that he had been scammed, the man said he called his bank and asked for his account information to be taken off-line so the offender couldn't access it.

He is worried about other personal information the caller may have retrieved, he added.

"Once they have control of your computer, they can get into everything you have on your computer," the man said.

He has already bought a new computer for $400, he said. He believes he will need to purchase a new printer and scanner that are compatible with the new computer, he added.

"I had to buy a new computer. I had no choice," he said.