WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) -- Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden warned Delaware residents Thursday about scams involving fake computer repair calls and fake consumer debit card issues.
In the computer repair scam, potential victims receive unsolicited emails or phone calls claiming to be from a help desk representative, customer service representative or technician from Microsoft or another well-known technology company.
The scammer claims the consumer's computer was compromised with a virus and offers to help by getting remote access to the machine to analyze and upgrade the security software of the computer.
Scammers who successfully convince the computer's owner into believing the claims use the remote access to install malicious software that steals personal data, make the machine more vulnerable to threats and take the victim to fraudulent websites that attempt to obtain personal credit card information.
The consumers targeted in the scam also report that the scammers request credit card information so they can bill for the fraudulent support.
Biden's Consumer Protection Unit received multiple reports of the scam, which is currently targeting consumers nationwide.
Another scam being reported in nearby states involves unsolicited calls or text messages warning consumers of a problem with their bank's debit cards. The calls and texts report that a consumer's debit card is locked and requires phone reactivation.
When victims call the number, the scammer obtains their account information to purportedly unlock the card.
The attorney general said the scam is nothing more than an attempt to trick consumers into providing personal financial information to scammers.
Delawareans receiving unsolicited emails, phone calls or other messages that may be a part of the scams can report the incidents to the Consumer Protection Unit, Biden said.