PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ Rhode Island’s attorney general is warning about the resurgence of a scam where consumers receive unsolicited phone calls from individuals claiming to be technical support staff from a virus protection software company.

Attorney General Peter Kilmartin says the fake technician claims that the consumer’s computer virus protection software is outdated or the computer has corrupt files. The scam artist asks for access to the computer to correct it and installs malware to remotely control the computer.

The consumer is then charged an exorbitant fee and asked for credit card information.

Kilmartin says in one case the scam artist locked the consumer’s computer and refused to unlock it unless a payment was made.

Kilmartin says residents should be wary of revealing credit card or other personal information to unsolicited callers.