User:Duncan Drummond/sandbox/UK TalkTalk Fraud scam

Current Talk Talk Fraud Scam new article content ...

Having been hacked and lost a number of Talk Talk customer details, there is a scam that now attacks the financial aspects of these customers. I have recently been duped by this and wanted to let others know how vulnerable you are.

The first call comes from a call centre where there are 'problemns' with your internet router. I asked the individual to verify that they were from Talk Talk and they gave me details of my account to appear credible.

They then ran some diagnostics!! which showed me the extent of the 'issues' on my pc that needed to be resolved.

As a result of this they thern told me I was entitled to a refund of £200 to my account.

I was then asked to install some software so that they could take control of my desktop to carry out procedures to correct the situation, and during this they also committed to my being delivered a new router, and even booked me an appointment for an engineer.

I was told that in order to not damage any other equipment such as mobile phones and laptops I should turn these off (effectively isolating me from other means of communciation).

When I asked how long the process wa likely to take I was told that an engineer was working on my router and connection in the background as we were talking.

HERE'S THE SCAM PART!!

They need your details to pay you the refund, but when you provide them, they are able to hack into your bank account and produce a version of your statement on your pc or laptop.

This is then used throughout the scam, so you are looking at a false (and very accurate copy) of your bank account.

BUT they make an error, and rather than refund £200 they refund a larger amount.

THEN there is the opportunity for you to need to provide their Financial Officer with details so that the overpayment can be rectified.

All you will see is the false account on your screen as they then attempt to make multiple transactions, removing the same (or a similar) amount a number of times.

In total, I was on the phone for much of the morning (as my supposedly faulty router was worked on by an engineer).

You are also repeatedly told not to sign onto the internet, and the installed software (Team Viewer 12, AMMY and talktalk backup) allows them to run your desktop and to stop you from opening other internet sites. This effectively stops you from checking your bank account during the conversations. THey also tie up your telephone line asking you to stay on the line so that your bank is unable to phone you during these transactions.

My bank contacted me via my mobile, but as I gave them the one time passcode for the payment to make the correction (which hadn't been paid into my account at all), the scammers took two payments and I had effectively authorised these. Luckily, the third payment raised eyebrows at my bank, and their fraud team are now investigating on my behalf.

As a result of this my account has been depleted somewhat and very quickly, especially at this crucial time of year.

I feel very foolish, but would rather that people knew and avoided the pain and loss that has hit me today.

Fingers crossed my bank's fraud department can act