Buckland Computers

13/07/2026

We regularly get warning messages from D&C Police about scams and thought was worth passing on. Scammers don't stop, they just become more cunning in their attempts to part you from your money.

Residents across Devon and Cornwall are being targeted by fraudsters pretending to be from trusted organisations, including the police, HMRC, banks, mobile phone service providers, BT, Microsoft, Sky, Apple, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), and Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud). They want your personal and/or financial information. They want your PASSWORDS and PIN’s. They want your MONEY.

❌ Never:
• Share passwords, PINs, security codes or bank details.
• Transfer money to a so-called "safe account" – these do not exist.
• Download software or grant remote access to your devices.
• Trust a caller simply because they claim to represent a trusted organisation.

✅ If you receive an unexpected call:
• Be cautious.
• Hang up if you're unsure.
• Use a different phone line or wait at least 10 minutes before calling back on the same line.
• Contact the organisation directly using a trusted number from their official website, correspondence, bank card, or another verified source.

👮 If the caller claims to be a police officer: Ask for their:
• Name
• Collar/shoulder number
• Police force
• Police station
Then independently verify their identity by contacting the force directly on 101.

⚠️ Remember: Legitimate organisations will NEVER ask for your PASSWORDS or PIN’s, nor will they pressure you to make an immediate payment, grant remote access, or move money to "protect" it.

❗If you think you have been scammed
✅ Contact your bank immediately. Dial 159 to be connected safely to your bank's fraud department.
✅ Report fraud or cybercrime to Report Fraud: UK's Home for Reporting Cyber Crime & Fraud - Report Fraud or call 📞 0300 123 2040

🛑 Stop. Challenge. Protect.

23/06/2026

Because of the extreme weather, the shop will only be open from 10am to Noon tomorrow, Wed 24th June. If you have a computer problem you need us to look at, please call the usual number (01822 855796) or message us here.

11/06/2026

"Hang up and call your Bank" scam.
Sharing this advice as a warning that scammers never give up and will recycle old scams in the hope of catching you out.

Share alert message: "🚨 The “Hang Up and Call Your Bank” Scam" to your page or group. When you click the "share" button below you will see a preview and be able to select where to post it to.

09/06/2026

As the Village is now getting fibre to the home (FTTH) I thought I would republish this article I wrote for Outreach back in 2022.

"An interesting item has been in the news recently about phone lines. It seems BT (et al) are keen to get rid of fixed land lines, (those copper cables bringing the phone system to your house) and we will all have fibre-optic cables coming direct to the home instead. This will be known as “fibre to the home” or FTTH, whereas now we have “fibre to the cabinet” or FTTC. So what?� I hear you ask. Well, the current copper land-line system is not affected by power cuts. If the power goes off to your house (or town/village) you can still call friends, or for help, because the system has a back-up supply in the telephone exchange to keep your plug-in phone working, (although of course the broadband is lost because it relies on a powered router in your home). The new system, uses Voice Over IP� or VOIP for short (love all these acronyms!) and relies on the router in your house for a connection to the phone system. This means when the power goes off, so does your router, and bingo, no phone to call for help on! Now this isn’t too much of an issue if you have a decent mobile signal, but how many of us do? And how many of you have ˜WIFI Calling” on your mobile which relies on, yes, you’ve guessed it, your router!

The answer will be to have your own battery back-up system. Some, (mainly businesses) have been using these for years to keep their computers going in a power cut, and to protect them from power surges. They vary hugely in price, size and how long they will keep things running, (which of course is also dependant on what power is drawn by what you have plugged in) but a reasonable sized one for your home should cost less than £100. I’m going to be trialling one at home to keep our current broadband running in a power cut, so I’ll keep you posted on how I get on."

Our UPS has worked well and protects the router, and our Sky Q box too.

31/03/2026

Please note: The shop is closed tomorrow (1st April).

12/02/2026

Scam alert: Been bombarded with loads of these scam emails this morning. Several variations but all basically the same form. As you can see from the highlighted link (bottom left) they are going to some random website.

12/02/2026

Shamelessly pinched from another FB page!

I had a call from a scammer the other day.
Me: “Hello.”
Scammer: (Heavy Foreign Accent) “Hello. This is Tom Smith from Microsoft Support. We are seeing a lot of virus activity coming from your device.”
Me: “Oh no. My device? Are you sure?”
Scammer: “Oh yes, Madam. We have many reports.”
Me: “Oh, jeez. How can I fix it?”
Scammer: “It’s okay, Madam. We can help you right now. Are you in front of your device?”
Me: “Yes. I was just about to use it. I’m glad you called.”
Scammer: “Good, Madam. Please push the Start button.”
Me: “I think it’s already on.”
Scammer: “Okay, Madam. Now click on Control Panel.”
Me: “I don’t see that.”
Scammer: “Do you see a bunch of information above the Start button?”
Me: “Yes.”
Scammer: “That is your Control Panel.”
Me: “Wow. I didn’t realize it had a name.”
Scammer: “Yes, Madam. Now press Internet Options.”
Me: “I don’t see any Internet options. I don’t think I bought that feature. This is just a cheap one.”
Scammer: “All devices have Internet, Madam. Press the Start button again.”
Me: “Okay. Same as before.”
Scammer: “That’s fine, Madam. We will restart your device. Please turn it off.”
Me: “Um… I don’t know how. I’ve never turned it off. It kind of just stays on.”
Scammer: “There must be an off button. How do you stop it when it’s running?”
Me: “I usually press the big button.”
Scammer: “Okay, Madam. Press that button.”
Me: “Okay.”
Scammer: “Is your device off?”
Me: “No. The door popped open.”
Scammer: “Door? Is there a disc inside?”
Me: “No. There’s a burrito.” 🌯
Scammer: “Why is there a burrito in your computer?”
Me: “Computer? I thought you said this was microwave support.”

19/01/2026

Just had an alert from Devon & Cornwall Police. If in doubt, get a name or Police Identity/badge number and ring one of the numbers below, or 111.

"We would like to make you aware of the following scam which has occurred in your area in recent days.

We have had reports from residents who have received multiple telephone calls from a person claiming to be a detective from The Metropolitan Police who says that they are investigating their card being cloned. Obviously this has caused distress to the victim who has alerted us.

These fraudsters can be persistent and very convincing. Should anyone receive similar contact, please report this to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or online at www.actionfraud.police.uk
For crime prevention advice please see the Devon and Cornwall Police website here Crime prevention advice | Devon & Cornwall Police"

Report Fraud UK is the place to report, prevent, and learn about cyber crime & fraud

06/01/2026

Please note: Because of the current cold, icy, weather, the shop will remain closed tomorrow (7th) and will re-open next Wednesday (14th). If you have a computer issue in the meantime, please ring the shop number (which re0directs to my mobile).

30/12/2025

We will be closed until Monday, 5th Jan 2026. Of course, if you have a major IT melt-down, please don't hesitate to get in touch.