FAIRHOPE, Ala. - On Monday, the Fairhope Police Department warned residents to be aware of a possible phone and Internet scam in the area.

The scam involves phone calls to residents that their computer is at risk of a virus and how to fix the problem logging on to a specific website.

The FPD issued the following alert on Aug. 15 about the scam:

This scam uses the availability of personal information that can be easily obtained on public web sites. Searchers can obtain, from free internet public records searches, a resident’s name, address, phone number, names of household members, and other items of personal information.  Some searches will even show the searcher a photograph of the resident’s house.  By using this information, the scammer can convince a potential victim that they are at risk due to an information leak similar to a computer virus. 

The next step is for the scammer to direct the victim to access the internet from their computer and log into a particular web site.  By connecting to the scammer’s web page, the victim gives the scammer complete access to their computer files, potentially revealing bank accounts, passwords, and full financial details.

Any resident receiving a similar phone call, regardless of the originating area code, is warned that they should never follow instructions received in the call.  If a user feels they are at risk from a computer virus, they can contact a service representative for their particular computer or purchase anti-virus software from any business dealing in computers.

In the incident described above, the potential victim made the right choice and refused to speak to the caller; however, there are undoubtedly others who have fallen victim to this scam.  If any residents have been victimized by a scam, they are encouraged to report the crime to the police.

For more information, contact the FPD at 251-928-2385.