BURY residents have been warned about a phone scam where criminals take remote access of their computers.

Trading Standards has warned about the unsolicited phone calls supposedly from Microsoft.

The borough's local phone numbers appear to have been targeted by phone numbers 02079, 462110 and 02079 462111 which seem to be from London but could originate in Asia.

Callers claim to be from Microsoft and say they have detected a problem with your computer and need to have remote access and require password and login details.

The callers have also been using technical jargon to try and confuse people.

Angela Lomax, head of trading standards and licensing in Bury, said: "If you receive such a call, do not engage with the caller as it is almost certainly a scam. Neither Microsoft nor its representatives will ever 'cold call' consumers to charge for computer security or software fixes. "You wouldn't invite 'cold callers' to your home, so why would you allow a stranger to take over your computer?"

She added: "Cybercriminals often use publicly available phone directories so they might know your name and other personal information when they call you; they might even guess what operating system you are using.

"Once they have gained your trust, they might ask you for your user name or password or ask you to go to a website to install software that will let them access your computer to fix it.

"Once you do this, your computer and your personal information is vulnerable. Do not provide them with any personal information and end the call."

Age UK Bury also issued its users with a warning to say no to the scammers.

Residents with concerns can visit the Microsoft website or call Citizens Advice Consumer Services on 03454 040506.