Scammers are taking control of people's computers and demanding payments to release them again, consumers are being warned.

Trading Standards officers say that tens of thousands of users are falling victim to such scams, which begin when they ask for help with a printer error. The fraudsters claim to offer "printer helplines", which consumers are fooled into contacting. Typically, users then allow scammers remote access to their computers. In some cases the fraudsters steal information - such as bank account details - or demand money to hand back control. They appear credible by claiming to have links with well-known computer and printer brands. In one case, they tried to charge a victim £700. Another user was told that their online identity had been corrupted and all their passwords had been stolen. The "fee" to correct it was £200.

'Trap'

"This printer helpline scam scam is particularly pernicious because it encourages victims to unknowingly contact the fraudsters of their own accord," said Mike Andrews, lead co-ordinator of the National Trading Standards eCrime team. "While victims expect they will receive help with their printer problems, they have in fact been lured into a trap, and find themselves at risking of losing money or important personal information and also have their computer security compromised." In 2016 there were more than 32,000 such cases of computer service fraud, according to Action Fraud, which is a 47% rise since 2014.....Read more here