Police Warning Wethersfield Residents of Phone Scams about Computer Problems

WETHERSFIELD, CT — Wethersfield police are warning residents about a phone scams involving a fake message from "Apple Support," saying its computers have detected suspicious activity in cloud storage.

One officer said in the past four days, he has received the call "at least three times" at his home and once on his department-issued cell phone.

"They are truly masters of the cold call. They tell you not to use your computer until contacting them by either calling a given 800 number or pressing 1 for assistance, police said. "This is a scam. No computer company is ever going to call you about any alleged suspicious activity on your computer."

Police said anyone getting a call from anyone claiming to be from Apple, Microsoft, or any similar company should hang up.

"Do not provide any information whatsoever," police said. "These scammers trick you into providing personal information. They acquire remote access to your computer and then take it over. This hijacking of your computer keeps you from being able to re-access it until you pay what amounts to a ransom. The remote access also provides scammers the ability to access personal and private information on your computer."

Photo Credit: WPD