By Jeanne Sorensen, Plains Network Services

Recently, a large number of computer users are reporting a screen popup message that claims the computer is infected and you need to call Microsoft immediately. You may be redirected to a web page that indeed looks like a Microsoft web page with a phone number to call.

DO NOT CALL THE NUMBER! This is not Microsoft you are dealing with. Instead, you will be talking to a criminal who is attempting to gain access to your computer, and your personal information

DO NOT LET SOMEONE YOU DON'T KNOW LOGON TO YOUR COMPUTER!  If  you call these scammers, they first want you to let them log into your computer remotely, and they will tell you to leave the computer running.

 You now have open yourself to many issues. Once they have access to your computer, they can get any personal information you store on your computer, including your email, credit card information and bank account numbers – any sensitive information on your computer. They can also infect and compromise your computer further by downloading programs to further compromise your computer -  all this while they are talking to you and “showing” you on your screen what they are “finding.”

DO NOT GIVE OUT YOUR CREDIT CARD OR BANK ACCOUNT NUMBERS! These criminals then ask you for your credit card or bank account number so they can “clean up” your computer right now. Don't do it! Hang up and shut the computer off.

Anytime you feel your personal information has been jeopardize IMMEDEATLY CALL your credit card company or financial institution and relay the information.

Call a TRUSTED Computer technician. Explain what happened so they can help remove the malicious programs and fix damages.