Phoney call about windows support - scam beware!

BallandChain

Not sure if this is the right place so please move if needed. Anyway, a few days ago I received an e-mail that looked genuine. It said it was from DHL and to contact them regarding a parcel. Now the thing that looked dodgy was the fact that there were a few copies of this e-mail that had been sent to other e-mail addresses similar to mine. There was an attachment which I did not click on. E-mail since deleted.

Roll forward to today and just gone noon the phone rang. This guy started to tell me he was from Windows Support and I had a virus on my computer. Now this guy sounded Indian and said a guy called John from Windows Support UK was going to help me along with this fella I was talking to in order to get rid of this virus.

I hadn't a clue what he was going on about as I was in bed and he'd just woken me. I was half asleep and he told me to get my computer! I did get out of bed to get my OH as I thought he had rung somebody about his lap top. (Forgot to mention that this guy called me Mrs ******) which is my OH's surname!

So, OH said it's a scam and to tell the guy to p off as he hadn't rung Windows Support. I'm too polite, so I just hung up the phone.

I tried to dial 1471 in order to get the last person's number and the guy was still hanging on the phone saying, "Are you still there madam?" I hung up.

Next minute I'm in the bathroom and the phone rings. OH picks up the phone. The Indian guy was on the blower -

"Hello I rang you earlier about your Windows virus."

OH: "Before you say anything can I say something?"

Guy: "Yes."

OH: "F*** off."

Guy: "How are you spelling that sir?"

OH: "F-*-*-k o-f-f. F*** off."

Guy: "Right ok then sir. Thank you."

This guy hung up. What is really worrying is that they called me by my partner's surname and when OH was on the phone said he could hear loads of people in the back ground, like it was a call centre!

God knows how many people they intend to scam (I'm suspecting they were the ones who sent the DHL e-mail knowing there is a virus, then calling me to help me remove this virus, but really out to glean sensitive info like ISP addy, bank details, etc.)

I tried 1471 again but the BT message was this caller didn't leave a number.

Please let others know about this, especially the vulnerable and the elderly as they really could be drawn into this scam. Not sure who to report this to as I deleted the original e-mail and the caller didn't leave a number (as if he would do!) and not sure if that call could be traced.

Anybody with knowledge on this scam and who do I need to report this to? Thanks in advance if you managed to get this far.

closed

The fake microsoft support scam has been around a while, lot's of threads on the subject, they attempt to convince you that you are infected with a non-existent virus, then charge you for removing it.

http://www.microsoft.com/protect/fraud/phishing/Msname.aspx

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/18/phone-scam-india-call-centres

The fake dhl email is probably unconnected, however some dhl fake spam comes with a virus component in the attachment, scan with malwarebytes if you opened an attachment.

BallandChain

Thanks. Just read those links and honestly, apart from e-mail scams I hadn't realised these criminals have taken to phoning people too. It's pretty scary to think they can get hold of sensitive information on your computer, install viruses and charge you for the privilege!

lucylucky

BallandChain wrote: »

Thanks. Just read those links and honestly, apart from e-mail scams I hadn't realised these criminals have taken to phoning people too. It's pretty scary to think they can get hold of sensitive information on your computer, install viruses andcharge you for the privilege!

Just as well they can't;)

davester

They are based in Mumbai, use VOIP so the calls not have a phone number.

I have had 2 calls from them.

I don't own or use a computer, I just will things to being with my incompetance

ljonski

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11754487

prowla

Either have a bit of fun with them or hang up.
When they tell me I have a problem with my PC, I ask them which one, or I act really stupid (not too difficult!) and get the answers wrong.

ljonski

Either have a bit of fun with them or hang up.
When they tell me I have a problem with my PC, I ask them which one, or I act really stupid (not too difficult!) and get the answers wrong.

yeh I got one on saturday evening and after 2-3 mins of interrupting him, by pretending to a telephone bleeper(boop boop) , he thanked me for wasting his time and hung up. the important thing is making everyone aware that this is a scam.

Col7777

I had a call a while back and the Asian guy said he was from 'Windows' I was in one of my playful moods and wound him up, I pretended to not fully understand and said, "Oh yes windows, I've not long had them done, I've even had a conservatory fitted too."
He then tried to correct me by saying things like, "No I mean Windows on the computer," I said, "On the computer, no there isn't a window on that but there are some little holes on the side and the back to let air in."
He kept on trying to get me understand but I kept interrupting by going on about other things that had nothing to do with what he was on about, I was having fun.
Then I pretended to understand him and said, "Ah, you mean windows, so are you a window cleaner and you are asking to do mine?" He replied, "No sir I'm not, you have a problem with your Windows on the computer," I said, "Have I?" he thought he was getting through to me and carried on with more waffle, I then went back to not understanding again and said, "A virus, that's funny you said that I haven't been that well lately, I was wondering if it was a bad curry I had eaten, do you ever feel like that?"
He replied, "No sir," then he hung up.

BallandChain

lol Col7777!

I noticed that even though this scam has been around a while Sky News had reported it today. It looks as if these scammers are becoming big business. Scary thought!

Spank

BBC was reporting it as well, another way of looking at it is the media are about 3 months behind the computing world.