Woman in Elora Tim Hortons saves elderly man from 'Windows virus' scam

A quick-thinking woman who suspected an elderly man was falling for a telephone scam called police and officers were able to stop the man before he sent anyone money.

The woman was in the Tim Hortons in Elora, Ont. Monday around 1 p.m. when she overheard a man on his cellphone. She told police the manappeared to be having trouble with his laptop and he was offering money to the person on the phone to fix it.

The woman tried to speak with the man, concerned he was being scammed. She then called police.

Ontario Provincial Police officers arrived at the coffee shop, but were told the man had just left.

They were able to locate the man at his home and stopped him just as he was about to pay someone claiming to be from Microsoft to fix his computer.

It was quickly determined the caller was not from Microsoft and the officers ended the conversation.

Police remind residents to be aware of scams like this one. If you think you or someone you know has been a victim of a scam, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or by calling 1-888-495-8501.