Scam or not?

caveat_emptor

had a call today from someone who said they were acting for Microsoft saying that my PC was running slowly because of unused Windows files and wanted me to switch my PC on so that I could see the problem. So happens that my PC is running slowly but I put this down to old P3 processor. Sensing a scam I asked for his tel. number so that I could call him back but was told this was not possible for security reasons. He did give me a website www.totech.com for reference but this has nothing to do with software. Anyone else had a call?

totalsolutions

ohh,er misses SCAM
1471

cyberbob

I had something similar the other week say they were from microsoft and my windows was running slow because of unused files etc. I did say maybe the reason that it was running slow was I was running OSX on one and Mandriva on the other. They Hung up then:rotfl: I did report it to TPS whatever good that will do

fiddiwebb

A bit more info about this scam............

http://www.entrepreneur.co.uk/2010/04/04/if-you-receive-a-phone-call-about-your-computer-running-slow-hang-up.html

tronator

cyberbob wrote: »

I had something similar the other week say they were from microsoft and my windows was running slow because of unused files etc. I did say maybe the reason that it was running slow was I was running OSX on one and Mandriva on the other. They Hung up then:rotfl:

I might be fun not to tell them that you're not having Windows the next time and let them find out why it is not working ;-)

saverfan_2

thought you would like to know that this scam is back. I went along with it to find out what they wanted but dropped out when they wanted me to download a remote access program! At no time did the operator ask for payment so someone not as suspicious as me could be taken in. So I would advise everyone to warn your inexperienced family members and friends.

Ximian

Scam. In reality there is no way to tie a computer to a phone number, there is no way to know with all the publicly available programs out there that a computer on the internet is tied to a particular phone number. IP addresses are tied to an ISP, the ISP knows what customer has a telephone number registered for the internet service and they only give this information out if required by law.

The scammers claim that they don't have detailed information about your computer and can only claim that it's slow or infected with a virus or <insert some other bs issue of the day>, they can't tell you what version of Windows you're running, they also can't tell you the IP Address of your computer yet they claim to be monitoring your computer. So, how do they know which number to call to report an issue and "help"? They don't. Someone out there has probably shared your details or they're just cold calling numbers.

pineapple

Ximian wrote: »

Scam. In reality there is no way to tie a computer to a phone number, there is no way to know with all the publicly available programs out there that a computer on the internet is tied to a particular phone number. IP addresses are tied to an ISP, the ISP knows what customer has a telephone number registered for the internet service and they only give this information out if required by law.

The scammers claim that they don't have detailed information about your computer and can only claim that it's slow or infected with a virus or <insert some other bs issue of the day>, they can't tell you what version of Windows you're running, they also can't tell you the IP Address of your computer yet they claim to be monitoring your computer. So, how do they know which number to call to report an issue and "help"? They don't. Someone out there has probably shared your details or they're just cold calling numbers.

Interesting but the OP posted the question in April 2010. I'm thinking they might have it sorted by now.

VfM4meplse

pineapple wrote: »

Interesting but the OP posted the question in April 2010. I'm thinking they might have it sorted by now.

Clearly there's still a lot of scam-fodder out there!

Ximian

pineapple wrote: »

Interesting but the OP posted the question in April 2010. I'm thinking they might have it sorted by now.

Yep, but I never revived the thread, and the scam is still active today.

ashleypride

saverfan wrote: »

thought you would like to know that this scam is back.

The scam had never gone.