Sheriff's deputies warn of customer service scam

COEUR d'ALENE - The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office is alerting the community to a new computer scam affecting residents.

According to Community Service Office Gary Shults, an individual is calling residents, claiming that he is with the "Microsoft Windows Service Center." After identifying himself, Shults said, the caller tells residents there is an issue with the resident's computer and the problem can be fixed by downloading an application.

"If the citizen does go to their computer at the caller's request, the caller will advise you of what you are seeing on your screen and ask you to sign-in to 'logmein.com,'" Shults said. "The caller will now have control of your computer."

During the conversation, the caller asks for information such as the last four digits of your Social Security Number.

"The caller will also alert you to your Windows certification being expired with you needing to pay them $395 or the computer will be 'locked,'" Shults said. "If you refuse to pay, your screen will go black with only a cursor for a password."

The estimated cost to repair a computer infected with this "Rogue Trojan High Jacker" is $125, Shults said.

Shults suggested that residents not follow any of the caller's instructions until they do the following:

* Get the caller's name, identification and telephone number.

* Perform an Internet search of the caller's telephone number.

* Search "scams" using the business name the caller stated they represent.

* Call the actual company the caller states they represent, not the telephone number the caller gives.

* Call your local law enforcement agency and ask them about the call.