Stay Safe Online – speed up your computer – latest scams – fake NHS text messages

Stay Safe Online – Speed up your computer – latest scams – fake NHS text messages – Push Payment scams

All your IT in one place, computer repair, IT support, website design, domain registration, website hosting, videos, email, data storage, and cyber security.  We fix both PCs and Macs.

We have had several jobs recently with computers that were really slow.  Very often we can solve the problem by removing viruses but sometimes computers just need a more powerful hard drive – and it’s relatively easy to install a bigger hard drive and transfer all the information – so you don’t need to buy a new computer.  If it’s not cost effective to fix your old computer, we will advise accordingly – and we can securely wipe the hard drive so it can be safely recycled – just give us a call.

We regularly get emails saying ‘your email address is being deactivated’ or ‘your website hosting has expired’ – which we know are fake because we do all this ourselves – if you get any emails like this and are not sure – we can check and reassure you – just give us a call.

deactivation email

Current scams:
Beware of emails and text messages offering ‘free Omicron PCR test to avoid restrictions’.  The message falsely claims that the new Covid variant (Omicron) requires new test kits and they provide a link to order which takes you to a copycat of the NHS website which steals your information and requests payment for a delivery charge.  They use the real NHS logo so, at first glance, the message looks real.  Forward phishing emails to: and forward fake tests to 7726 (this spells SPAM on the keyboard).

scam NHS text message

With the current increase in energy costs, many scammers are impersonating energy providers sending fake emails relating to refunds, money owed or offering to find you the best deal – all designed to steal your personal and financial information.  Only visit official websites and don’t click on adverts.

Which? Report on Push Payment scams:  “My sister rang me and said in a panicked voice ‘my bank’s on the phone, they said my account isn’t secure, money has been sent to you, but you need to transfer it to a different safe account – they said you have to do it right now.’  I told her to put the phone down and ring her bank from the number on the back of her bank card.”  Her bank froze her account – and reported the fraud.  Don’t ever be panicked into doing something – get advice first.

Action Fraud have received over 200 reports of fake emails pretending to raise money for those affected by the Ukraine crisis.  If you want to make a donation visit official websites like the Disaster Emergency Committee www.dec.org.uk or www.oxfam.org.uk or www.savethechildren.org.ukSign up for Which? Scam alerts: https://campaigns.which.co.uk/scam-alert-service/

Find details of recent scams here: www.actionfraud.police.uk and on our Facebook page: Rainford-it-stay safe online