As we enter 2012, officers from the RCIPS Financial Crime Unit are issuing a warning about a new scam designed to obtain credit card details from unsuspecting victims.

A small number of people on Island have reported receiving a call from someone purporting to be from Microsoft. The caller tells his victim that Microsoft has received an error message relating to his/her computer and that Microsoft can repair the system remotely – but only if the victim provides credit card details. The story about the error message is, of course, fictitious but the victim then finds that anywhere from  $99 – $200 has been taken from their credit card account.

“This takes scamming to a new level in the Cayman Islands,” said Detective Chief Inspector Claudia Brady.” The scammers are becoming much more sophisticated and that’s why people need to be much more vigilant when they take such calls. We have made all the necessary checks with Microsoft representatives and we can assure people that no-one from the company would contact them directly. Any contact with Microsoft in relation to computer error issues would be initiated by the computer user and not the company. Therefore, once again, we are urging people not to give out their credit card / bank details over the phone, or over e-mail, under any circumstances. Do not start off 2012 being a victim of a scam.”

Anyone who wishes further information about how to avoid becoming a scam victim should contact the RCIPS Financial Crime Unit on  949-8797.