A computer expert is warning people to be vigilant online after a spate of customer scams.

In the last few weeks, a number of people in Barnet and Potters Bar have been affected by the same scam.

Chris Cousins, 55, works in Zenith Multimedia Services, in Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, and has had a number of customers affected.

Mr Cousins, who lives in Bryant Close, Barnet, said: “It’s a well-known type of scam. They phone you up, and say you have problems with your computer, and that they need to take it over. They take it over remotely.

“They put the problem on your computer, which shows up on your screen, saying you have viruses. Then they demand money from you.

“Nobody would ever phone you up about it, but people fall for it, and they pay the money. When they are giving the details, that’s when they can take even more out of your account.”

Mr Cousins explained scammers elderly people are the most common victims.

He said: “They all seem to be vulnerable. Older people are always slightly worried about problems happening to their computers, so when they get a phone call, it seems very official.

“Often, they are left upset, because they have been conned. You have to be careful online.”

Elizabeth Parker, a 76-year-old widow, fell victim to the scam recently, which she found “terrifying”.

She said: “Everybody gets nuisance calls. I hadn’t been taken in by anybody before, but they were so persuasive so I stayed on the line.

“How can they get into your computer? I don’t understand any of it. All these awful things came across the computer screen. I was panicking, it really shocked me.

“I was really worried. The moment they said I had to pay, I was shaking. I was really horrified at what was happening.”

Mrs Parker eventually put down the phone, and took her computer into Zenith, where it was fixed. She praised the staff for their help.

She added: “The scam is terrible, I don’t know they can do it. I was so angry with myself and how naive I was to be taken in. I was going into hospital the next day, and I was vulnerable.

“I was so upset. They were so persistent. It’s a pity they don’t use it for good things. My advice is just to be careful.”