Warning: This Phone Call Could Cost You More Than $1,000
Updated: 5 days ago
A real story from one of my Perth students and what every senior needs to know about tech support scams
Published by Mae | Ess Click Computer Lessons for Seniors and Adult Beginners, Perth WA
I don't often write about the darker side of technology. My lessons are usually filled with small wins. The moment someone sends their first email, figures out how to video call their grandchildren, or finally feels comfortable using their phone. Those moments are why I do what I do.
But every now and then, something happens that I feel obligated to share. Not to frighten anyone, but because the best protection against being scammed is knowing exactly what a scam looks like before it arrives at your door.
This is one of those times.
What happened to my client
One of my students, a lovely senior gentleman here in Perth, received a phone call out of the blue. The caller said he was from a computer support company and offered to clean up my client's computer, promising it would make it run faster and keep it safe from viruses.
The caller was friendly, professional, and convincing. My client, wanting to do the right thing by his computer, agreed. The man came to his home, spent time on his computer, and charged him over $1,000 for the visit.
My client had no reason to think anything was wrong. The man seemed to know what he was doing. He was polite. He gave a name. He left a number.
But something about it sat uneasily, and when my client mentioned it to me at our next lesson, the alarm bells rang immediately.
The scam didn't end there. It escalated.
This is the part of the story I most want you to read carefully.
The calls didn't stop. Nearly a year later, the same man rang again. This time he offered a "yearly computer clean-up" framed as part of an ongoing service from the previous visit. He said it could be done remotely, meaning he wouldn't even need to come to the house. He could take control of the computer over the internet. But he also offered to visit in person again if my client preferred.
He called from a Melbourne number, despite operating supposedly as a local service. He gave a Western sounding name. He had a foreign accent. And when I looked into the company name he provided and called the number listed on their website, the operator who answered identified themselves as a completely different business entirely.
This man is not who he says he is. He is not affiliated with any legitimate computer support service. And he is still calling.
Why this scam is particularly dangerous
Most tech support scams happen over the phone or online. This one is different and more alarming for several reasons.
He has been inside my client's home. He knows the address. He knows the layout. He knows my client lives alone and is comfortable letting someone in.
He has been inside my client's computer. When someone has remote or physical access to your device, they can see your files, your saved passwords, your banking apps, your emails and everything else. There is no way to know exactly what was accessed or copied during that first visit.
He is targeting the same victim twice. Scammers often return to people they have already successfully deceived, because they know that person trusted them once. This is sometimes called "reload fraud" and it is extremely common in tech support scams targeting seniors.
He is willing to come to the house again. This makes the threat physical, not just digital.
The warning signs that tell you it's a scam
Whether it happens to you, a parent, a neighbour, or a friend, here are the red flags to watch for:
An unsolicited call about your computer. Legitimate technology companies including Microsoft, Apple, and your internet provider do not call you out of nowhere to tell you your computer has a problem. If you didn't ask for help, be very suspicious of anyone offering it.
Pressure to act quickly. Scammers often create a sense of urgency. "Your computer is at risk right now" or "we need to fix this today." This is designed to stop you thinking clearly. A legitimate service will never rush you.
A request for remote access. If someone you don't know asks to take control of your computer over the internet, hang up. Once they have access, they can see everything on your device and install software without you knowing.
Payment by unusual methods. If someone asks to be paid by gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency, it is a scam. Always, without exception.
A name or number that doesn't check out. In this case, the company name the caller gave did not match the business that answered when I called the number on their website. If something feels off, trust that instinct and investigate before doing anything.
A Melbourne number calling a Perth resident. Not conclusive on its own as many businesses operate nationally, but combined with other red flags, it is worth noting.
What to do if you receive a call like this
Hang up. You do not owe a stranger on the phone your time, your patience, or an explanation. If something feels wrong, end the call.
Do not give remote access to your computer. Not to anyone who calls you unexpectedly. Not even if they sound professional and give a convincing company name.
Write down what you can. If you've already spoken to someone suspicious, note the phone number they called from, the name they gave, and what they said. This information may be useful if you report it.
Tell someone you trust. A family member, a friend, or someone like me. You don't have to handle it alone, and talking it through often helps you see the situation more clearly.
Report it to Scamwatch. Scamwatch is run by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and is the official place to report scams in Australia. You can report at scamwatch.gov.au or call 1300 795 995. Reporting helps protect other Australians from the same scam.
Contact your bank if money has changed hands. If you've paid someone you now suspect was a scammer, call your bank immediately. The sooner you act, the better the chance of recovering funds.
Change your passwords. If someone has had access to your computer, remotely or in person, change the passwords for your email, your banking, and anything else you access online. If you're not sure how to do this, I can walk you through it in a lesson.
A note to families of seniors in Perth
If your parent, grandparent, or elderly neighbour has received a call like this, or if you suspect they may have already been visited by someone claiming to offer computer help, please take it seriously. These scammers are skilled, patient, and persistent. They do not give up easily, particularly when they've already made contact.
The best thing you can do is have an open, non-judgmental conversation. Nobody asks to be scammed, and shame or embarrassment should never stop someone from getting help.
How I can help
Part of what I do as a digital skills coach here in Perth is help my students stay safe online, not just competent. If you're worried about a call you've received, not sure whether a message or email is legitimate, or simply want to understand your devices well enough to protect yourself, I'm here.
I offer one-on-one computer lessons and IT support across Perth, WA, tailored to your pace and your needs. No jargon. No judgment. Just practical, friendly help from someone who genuinely cares about your safety and confidence online.
Get in touch with Ess Click
If you think you've been targeted by a tech support scam, please don't wait. Reach out to me, a trusted family member, or Scamwatch today.
Useful contacts
Scamwatch (ACCC): scamwatch.gov.au | 1300 795 995
IDCARE (identity and cyber support): idcare.org | 1800 595 160
Australian Cyber Security Centre: cyber.gov.au
Have you or someone you know received a suspicious call about your computer? I'd encourage you to share this article. It could make a real difference to someone who needs to see it.
About the author Mae is the founder of Ess Click, a Perth-based computer lessons and IT support service for seniors and adult beginners. With a patient, tailored approach and a genuine commitment to keeping students safe online, she provides one-on-one and small group lessons across Perth WA at whatever pace suits you best.
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