Hacker asks computer user to pay €200

Gardaí are urging the public to be extra vigilant with regard to bank account details and passwords stored on computers and laptops after an incident last week in which a hacker tried to steal such information.Last Saturday a person received a phone call from an individual who claimed to be a Microsoft technician, saying there was a fault with the laptop. They had asked the person to log on to their computer and follow instructions, when the phoneline went dead. The individual then continued their instructions by typing their requests via computer, and asked the person for €200 for updating the warranty on their laptop.Gardaí say the injured party immediately shut down their computer and cancelled all access to bank facilities and bank cards."Under no circumstances should people give access to their bank details - it can happen over the phone and via their computer or laptop. This individual was basically a hacker, so we are urging the public to be cautious about who they give out information to," said Sgt Kieran Williams at Mullingar Garda Station.