Mike, of Bishopsteignton, writes:

I have been receiving some unsolicited telephone calls recently.

The number shown on my telephone screen is 1301, which is suspicious in itself, and, when asked what do you want? they tell you that your computer is sending out messages or information to them.

The first time I told them that it was not switched on (a mistake) so they asked me to switch it on, which I refused to do. He said that his name was Richard Anderson, from Computer Services (good old English names), but he could hardly speak English, had a very strong Indian accent, and he was from a computer company trying to help me.

What he really wanted was for me to switch on my computer so that he could control it and obtain passwords, bank details (if any are stored on computer), credit card details (if you agree to purchase anything from him) and anything else of interest on your computer.

I received this same call four times in two days, but the next time they called it was a female voice saying her name was Eileen. I just asked her to 'hold on' and put the phone down, leaving her waiting for several minutes, when she eventually hung up.

One can always say: 'I don't have a computer, I am too old to understand them.'

I contacted my telephone supplier, Southern Electric, who told me that they are aware of this scam but they are powerless to stop them, as they are coming in from India, Pakistan, and other foreign countries who are flooding the UK at present with calls.

I have also received two 'silent' phone calls, even though I am registered with TPS (Telephone Preference Service) which is supposed to stop computer generated calls. To register (free) phone 0800 398893 (renewable every year).