TalkTalk denies recent hacking scandal claim
TalkTalk has denied claims by David Wilson, a National Healthcare System support worker, over a new hacking scandal after he was targeted by hackers last month posing as TalkTalk’s technical department. This comes after a hack in October last year resulted in 150,000 of the telecom’s clients’ details being stolen.

TALK TALK have denied that their customers are facing a fresh hacking attack.

The telecoms firm is facing a record fine of £400,000 for poor security after hackers stole personal information of over 150,000 customers last October.

3 Over 150,000 accounts were stolen by attackers in an attack last October Credit: PA:Press Association

However, a case seen by The Sun Online led to questions over whether the firm has been exposed for a second time.

David Wilson, from Northumberland, was left without the use of his computer after he was targeted by scammers.

The 50-year-old, NHS case support worker has never been entirely happy with the level of his broadband service from TalkTalk.

When TalkTalk admitted in October last year that the personal details of customers were stolen, David contacted the company and was told he NOT one of those customers affected.

However, last month he was targeted by scammers who claimed to be from TalkTalk’s technical department.

He had recently made a complaint to TalkTalk and was waiting for a call back from the firm when the fraudsters struck.

3 David Wilson said that the fraudster who called him ran a 'slick operation' Credit: David Wilson

David told The Sun Online: “I’m dead savvy when it comes to these types of things but it was a slick operation. They were so convincing.”

“They knew everything. They knew my name. They knew I’d made a complaint recently and that I’d asked for compensation.”

TalkTalk has, on one occasion in the past, and with David’s permission, remotely controlled his computer to sort out a problem successfully.

The scammers this time asked David if they could remotely connect to his computer.

“They started to move the cursor on my laptop and say I would be entitled to £200 compensation.

“It was at that point that I got suspicious, because I realised the technical guys wouldn’t deal with compensation.

They turned the camera on so that I could see myself. Then the screen went black. I’ve been unable to use the laptop ever since. David Wilson, Talk Talk customer

“They asked for my debit card details and then mentioned Western Union,” he said.

At this point David stood up and walked away from his computer and the caller immediately told him go back.

He could hear sniggering and realised that the scammers could see him through his laptop’s camera.

He said: “They turned the camera on so that I could see myself. Then the screen went black. I’ve been unable to use the laptop ever since.”

The Sun Online was alerted to the problem after David contacted A Spokesman Said to complain about the problem.

3 David said that the scammers could see him through his laptops web camera Credit: Getty Images

Fred Isaac of the price comparison website, said: “It’s terrifying to think hackers were able to gain information about a TalkTalk customers’ account, especially after last year’s shocking cyber-attack.

“The case will set alarm bells ringing for other customers, who will think it’s suspicious that hackers knew David was owed compensation and had details of conversations he had with TalkTalk.

“TalkTalk need to launch an urgent investigation and reassure customers that their accounts are secure.”



Is there a fresh TalkTalk hacking scare?

TalkTalk has stated that there has been no new hacking attack on the company.

In October last year, over 150,000 customers had details stolen.

Some customers may have also been affected by an attack on CarphoneWarehouse a few months before in August.

The company issued advice at the time of the two attacks to customers on what they should do.

Last year it emailed all of its customers to warn them against scam callers, including guidance and information on how they can protect themselves.

A Talk Talk spokesman said: “Unfortunately phone and email scams are a serious and growing problem affecting consumers and companies across the UK, not just Talk Talk.

“We do believe we have a responsibility to help protect customers from these crimes which is why, over the last year, we have undertaken an extensive, proactive awareness campaign alerting, informing and advising customers, (including contacting every customer directly) so they can protect themselves.”

It has also launched a nationwide campaign, Beat The Scammers, to provide guidance and tips, in partnership with Get Safe Online.

How to spot a scammer

Talk Talk has made a set of promises to customers to help them spot scammers:

• Talk Talk will NEVER use your Talk Talk account number to prove a call is genuine.

• Talk Talk will NEVER ask you to provide your full password - we'll only ever ask for two digits in order to protect your security.

• Talk Talk will NEVER ask for your bank details to process a refund - if you're a Talk Talk customer, your bank details will already be registered on our systems.

• Talk Talk will NEVER ask you to send us money through services such as Moneygram or Western Union. Scammers do this to prevent transactions from being traced back to them.

Have you got a grip with a company? Or an issue that needs investigating? Let us know: tara.evans@the-sun.co.uk