麻豆约拍

When Roy, 82, from Cheshire, received a phone call one day in July, he had no idea he was about to be targeted by scammers, who stole nearly 拢2000 of his savings.

Roy fell victim to what鈥檚 known as a remote access scam. These involve criminals exploiting remote access software to connect to a victim鈥檚 computer or phone. This potentially gives them direct access to their online bank accounts and payment apps.

Roy told 麻豆约拍 Morning Live: 鈥淚 thought it was a genuine phone call from Amazon. They knew my name and told me somebody had tried to buy an iPhone through my account for 拢855. The man said he could stop the payment. He asked me to download an app, which I did.鈥�

The scammers were able to access his PayPal account, and quickly stole over 拢1700. Roy said: 鈥淚 just didn鈥檛 think it was possible that this sort of thing could happen. Even though I鈥檝e watched TV programmes on scams, it didn鈥檛 enter my mind that it was happening to me. I thought it was a genuine call.鈥�

Roy was told by his bank that they had no control over the payment, and that it was down to PayPal to refund him. PayPal originally told him that there was no unauthorised payment, which left Roy really worried, but they have now issued a refund.

Paypal said they don鈥檛 comment on individual cases, but they have shared this general advice with the 麻豆约拍: 鈥淚f you receive a suspicious email, text message or call claiming to be from PayPal, don鈥檛 act on the message, click on any links or share any password details or personal data. Instead, open your browser, log into PayPal and check for any new activity. If we do need you to take any action 鈥� you will have a secure message waiting within your PayPal account鈥�.

The payment platform also passed on this advice for anyone receiving an unsolicited call:
鈥� If you get a call from someone claiming to be from a major brand saying they need to access your phone or computer to fix a problem, just end the call.
鈥� No genuine company will make an unsolicited phone call to ask for remote access to your phone or computer.
鈥� Never give anyone your personal or payment details, or online account information, over the phone 鈥� and be even more wary if it was an unsolicited call.
鈥� If you鈥檙e still unsure, call the company back on a number you know to be correct, or log into your account.

Show less