Iowans are being warned about a new crop of scams where the con artists claim to be federal agents. Jim Hegarty, with the Better Business Bureau, says the victims find their computer screens frozen with a message that appears to be from the F-B-I claiming the consumer has done something illegal and the computer was electronically seized. “In some cases, they actually use the camera on your computer to take a picture of you,” Hegarty. “Sometimes, people have reported to us that they’re locked screen includes a photo of themselves.” 

Don’t click on the links provided, he says. Instead, take your computer to a reputable tech support center and have it checked out. Another incarnation of the scam tries to convince people they’ve been hit with a harmful computer bug.  “They’ve either received a phone call or a pop-up on their computer from a supposed IT firm letting them know there’s been viruses detected on their computer, that it’s very important that they be removed,” Hegarty says, “and, of course, they offer their services if the consumers will give them access remotely.” 

If you allow someone unscrupulous to poke around in your computer, he says you could be opening yourself to all kinds of trouble, including identity theft. “Lord knows what sort of malware or bots have been installed on their computers that might be operating in the background, looking for sensitive data,” Hegarty says. “On top of that, they’ve charged them for these theoretical services to remove these viruses.” 

Never allow a stranger access to your computer, he says, and if you do, change all passwords, email and online banking information right away. Hegarty says several people have lost hundreds of dollars to these scammers. The BBB investigations show the crooks use several business names and websites to hide their locations. Phone numbers listed on their websites were changed or disconnected. Learn more at the Iowa Better Business Bureau website at: http://iowa.bbb.org/

(Radio Iowa)

A man from Red Oak was being held this (Monday) morning at the Fremont County Jail in Sidney, after he was arrested Sunday night in Red Oak. According to the Red Oak P-D, 18-year old Eligah Cole Ryan Newkirk was taken into custody a little after 10-p.m. Sunday, in the 300 Block of West Coolbaugh. Newkirk was wanted on a warrant out of Fremont County for marijuana possession. He was being held in the Fremont County Jail $1,300 bond.

A Coon Rapids woman is dead following a  collision between a car and a Union Pacific train Sunday night, in Greene County. The Iowa State Patrol says 52-year old Kristina Becker-Duroe was killed, when she failed to yield to the eastbound train as her 2000 Mercury Sable was traveling south on X Avenue, at around 9:53-p.m.  The accident, which occurred just north of Highway 30 and east of Grand Junction, remains under investigation. Authorities says Becker-Duroe was not wearing a seat belt.