Computer scammers coming to homes to collect money in Pa.

HUNTINGDON, Pa. (WTAJ) — An alarming new scam is spreading across Pennsylvania. While arrests have been made, law enforcement is warning this could be part of a more elaborate, nationwide scheme.

Scammers request remote access to your computer through a pop-up claiming your computer is locked and pretending to be Microsoft support, asking you to call a phone number. Once they have access, they claim your computer, and financial accounts, have been compromised and that you need to move your money into the Federal Treasury for safekeeping.

But it’s just a ploy and the culprits are going to great lengths to get your cash — even so far as coming to your house, knocking on your door and taking hundreds or thousands of dollars.

“They’re trying to make this as convenient as possible, telling people they will have a courier come to pick up the money,” said Huntingdon County District Attorney David Smith.

Smith said he’s also seeing an uptick in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in similar scams.

“I’ve been made aware of scam artists using AI where they can impersonate or sound very much like your loved one. And they also kind of build in a cover story saying they were in an accident, they suffered an injury to their face in the jaw so it’s going to be a little bit difficult for them to talk,” Smith said.

The scammer then tells the victim their loved one has been arrested and needs money for bail immediately, once again offering to come to your home to pick it up.

Smith said the schemes are becoming more convincing with the use of AI and internet phone numbers that can be downloaded through apps, making it difficult to track where the call really originates from. Technology also allows scammers to make their call appear as if police or other law enforcement is the one calling.

“If you’re receiving those calls, if you’re getting those letters, if you’re getting, you know, where your computer’s locked up, do not give money. Call the police,” Smith said. “I’m going to say that again. Call the police. Let the police become involved.”

Smith said he’d like to see legislators consider options to prevent internet phone numbers.

Law enforcement officials said crimes like this are hard to investigate with the criminals behind them usually being located in a different state or even a different country.