Fort St James is being targeted by fraudulent calls claiming to be from computer security companies. Sometimes the caller claims to be from Microsoft or some other well known software company, none of which make unsolicited calls.

These callers are attempting to charge you by credit card for nonexistent products or to talk you into installing something on your computer so they can access it to steal credit card and banking information.

If you have caller display on your phone, it will show as blocked, out of province, or even a fake 555 number like they use on TV. If questioned the caller may give phony websites, email addresses and phone numbers. They may even ask you to try the email and when it doesn't work claim that is proof your system is compromised.

Hang up on these callers and do not follow their instructions. Immediately scan your computer with a known, updated antivirus and spyware scanner as sometimes they have found you through something already on your computer or somebody on your friends list's computer.

Online banking and credit card use is perfectly safe provided you follow some common sense rules, such as knowing where you are at on the Internet and keeping your computer clean.

It is not worth risking your bank account by using a computer you know is infected "because you really, really need to" see that picture of your grandchild doing a face-plant in the birthday cake or reply to that email right now.