This sounds very suspicious to me, can anyone confirm it's a con please?

[IggyStooge]

Hi guys,

I had a phone call from my auntie earlier saying she had been called by someone claiming to be from AOL who said she needed to do something on her PC or they would disconnect her internet. I actually didn't think my auntie was with AOL anymore to be honest but she didn't seem to be sure who she was with when I asked her.

She is 73 years old and only knows the basics of using a PC. She said she was on the phone to a man for an hour trying to do what he asked her to do but she couldn't as she didn't understand. She was asked something regarding ALPEMIX which I had not heard off. I just looked it up and it is something used for remote accessing a PC. Would this be a way for a conman to gain access to her system to look for personal info? The whole thing sounded like a con to me from the off and I said I would try to find out for her. If it is she's been very lucky she didn't know what she was doing.

Can anyone confirm that this is an attempt at a con please?

Thank you very much for any info you can give me.

 

[IggyStooge]

Thank you very much for the help guys. I will now attempt to explain it to my auntie, I just hope she hasn't give them any information over the phone that she hasn't told me about.

 

[IggyStooge]

Thank you. If only my aunties generation were as suspicious as mine.

 

[IggyStooge]

In the past I have visited regularly and kept an eye on the pc and make sure updates were done, ran scans, back up pictures etc. But I've not been able to go as often the last couple of years, I have always stressed the importance of updates and backing up files etc. to her but I can only do so much. She's got sons and daughters who should be ensuring her online safety really. It's been interesting to read some of the points made here. Next time I'm there I might suggest a fresh install as it's not been done for at least a year as far as I know.