OC Police Issues Computer Scam Warning

OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) this week is warning residents of a spike in computer-related scams.

In each case, a victim has reported being contacted in some way by an online computer repair company telling them that their computer has a virus that needs to be removed. The victims would then pay the repair company hundreds of dollars, either through a wire transfer, gift cards or a fictitious online payment system.

In one case, a victim lost nearly $1,000 before contacting police. In most cases, the scammer or scammers would gain remote access to the victim’s computer and rather than fix it, would create a virus instead. Internet crimes such as the one surfacing in the resort area this week result in the theft of millions of dollars from unsuspecting victims across the country each year.

As a result, the OCPD is offering a few simple safety tips this week to spot and avoid similar scams. For example, be cautious of unsolicited offers. If one did not seek computer repair services, a legitimate company would not know repairs are needed. Also, be wary if the service provider asks to be paid only through wire transfers, gift cards or cash.

Whenever purchasing goods or services with a credit card over the Internet, ensure the site is secure and reputable before providing credit card numbers or other information. Finally, research a company before agreeing to any service. Most legitimate companies will have information online as well as customer reviews. Anyone who believes he or she may have been the victim of a similar crime should contact the OCPD at 410-723-6610 or their local police department.