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Beware the scammers

I CANNOT say I have never been caught on the Internet by scammers. Yes I’ve sent off for wonder medication, only to find a I was being quoted the postage and not the huge goods value which then quickly appeared on my credit card and of course no way of sending it back.

But I especially do not prove susceptible to the: “Hello Mr Stooke, we are Microsoft Engineering and you have a virus on your computer but don’t worry, we can help you. If you log on, we can repair it online.”

Yeah right! On Saturday I was waiting for my microwave dinner to go ding, when I got the call and I lasted twenty five minutes, which may even be some kind of record?

I also got in some deliciously classic phrases: “Your computer will crash.” OMG, do you mean it’s going to fall off the desk?

“You have a serious virus.” OMG, will antibiotics be any use?

“We are calling you from London.” OMG, I’ll be in London tomorrow, can you give me your address, I’d like to call and speak to you on a personal matter, can’t really talk about it over the phone.

“Your computer keeps sending us emails, that’s the virus.” OMG, what do they say? Are they friendly emails or rude emails? I am really sorry, I will have a serious word with my computer when he gets in etc etc.

At least the time spent may have protected another person and kept them safe.

I suspect I’m targeted as I exceed three score years and ten. However, the important point is, despite being incredibly thick skinned (some may say just thick), it was surprising how determined the guy was to get me to log on and to share my screen in order that the so-called Microsoft engineers can engineer a few things financially in their favour.

OK, the caller was from the subcontinent, and his poor command of English was never going to be much use with the state of my hearing but there are a lot more practitioners of the scams, calling themselves computer engineers, who can be a lot more convincing and compelling than the idiot who called me.

Do stay safe. Unlike me, never ever respond to anyone telephoning asking you to do anything with your computer. Just hang up.

If you do get a computer problem, and family cannot help, find a register of all local engineers - Checkatrade is a good one, then you choose them and not the other way round.

Oh, and if someone tells you you’ve won 20 million Euros in an online sweepstake or their brother has just been sacked as a Nigerian Government Minister and wants to move money out of Nigeria… sorry, these most probably are not true either.

JOHN STOOKE, Haydon End, Swindon

There’s no safety

MY FELLOW correspondent Peter Smith appears to suggest that it would be legitimate and legal to ‘execute’ a jihadist in the UK on the Cameron basis that they represented a specific threat to UK security, and that the execution was the exercise of a country’s “inherent right to self-protection” (SA 3 June).

I suppose that President Assad and numerous other despotic leaders might use the same logic to justify their use of State execution.

Peter asks whether I believe UK interventions either militarily, politically or by giving Foreign Aid can be classed as ‘supporting countries such as Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan.’

To be very clear, no I do not believe any intervention is helpful in keeping our country safe from terrorism, and that ‘Foreign Aid’ does absolutely nothing to ‘keep us safe.’

Indeed, as we consider the situation today it is likely that terrorism will be a part of our lives for decades to come.

I do share Peter’s very clearly articulated view that Saudi Arabia, a country with which the UK is a willing trade partner and political ally, is the very epicentre of a crucible of terror and in its war with Yemen has proved as heartless, calculating and cruel as some other regimes which we demonise and denounce.

DES MORGAN, Caraway Drive, Swindon

It’s time to protect us

I WAS enjoying a nice evening in my local on Saturday night, the Coleview community centre. Listening to a trio of very raunchy ladies who could all play the saxophone and sing as well, was delightful.

Then word started to spread around the community centre, through the internet phone link we have, regarding the massacre of the innocents in our heartland and capital, London.

A lovely evening ruined by the fanatical terror on our streets. These terrorists bite the hand that feeds them.

Not to mention the horrors of the people personally involved regarding these atrocities.

How much longer do we have put up with the petty squabbling and TV-obsessed self interested politicians?

May I remind them in spades, clubs as well, their first duty is protection of the realm and its citizens.

If they don’t soon do this, the British lion’s tail of freedom and defiance against enemies of the state that harbour them, soon will.

BILL WILLIAMS, Merlin Way, Covingham, Swindon

Potholes are a problem

I RECENTLY changed my Land Rover for a much smaller vehicle and as a result I am really surprised to find so many potholes in our roads in the Marlborough area.

My last vehicle did not show up the problems quite so much but it is a real eye opener to see so many on our local roads, even manhole covers are dropping in some areas.

There appears to a rather large one in Hilliers Yard car park, very close to the new building work going on in Marlborough, that desperately needs attention.

CLIVE ALEXANDER, Alma Road, Aldbourne, Wiltshire