Rochester couple loses $3K in computer virus protection renewal scheme

(ABC 6 News) – A Rochester couple fell victim to scammers claiming to help renew virus protection software on their computer.

The Rochester Police Department said on Wednesday the couple received an email from who they believed to be Mcafee telling them to call the number provided and renew their virus protection.

The husband called the number and was told he needed to buy a $500 Target gift card. The man did so and gave the code to the scammer who then had the couple download software onto their computer. The scammer told them hackers were still able to get into their computer and to go buy another $500 Target gift card.

The man bought gift cards three more times before realizing it was a scam.

The couple lost a total of $3,000.