Microsoft Technician phone call

nigem

Hi,
I had a call today from someone who knew my name, and that I ran genuine Microsoft software, but didnt know my OS. I was busy so didnt speak long to the persistant person. She kept saying she was a qualified microsoft technician. Any ideas what was going on?

marcowil

It's a scam to get money out of you

http://www.bitterwallet.com/microsoft-phone-scam-being-run-from-indian-call-centres/32278

HO87

Amazed that my system had alerted them to the fact that I have a virus infection and they wanted so comparatively little for a specific anti-virus tool! The chap became completely stumped and rapidly hung up when I pointed out that I was running Linux.

nigem

I assumed they wanted money, so wasnt keen to talk, but i wondered why they had my name etc

frugal_shopper_2

Similar things have been going on for years.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/18/phone-scam-india-call-centres

Names & addresses are usually obtained from phonebooks.

Microsoft will never contact you unless you open a support ticket with them, even then wether they do actually get in touch with you when they say they will is a bit hit & miss.

debitcardmayhem

nigem wrote: »

Hi,
I had a call today from someone who knew my name, and that I ran genuine Microsoft software, but didnt know my OS. I was busy so didnt speak long to the persistant person. She kept saying she was a qualified microsoft technician. Any ideas what was going on?

Nope they don't know "I ran genuine Microsoft software, but didnt know my OS" you said yes of course it's genuine software is..... . If they had said is that Mr Nigem , you should say he's not here , or can ask who is calling he is in a meeting. It's social engineering all over again, they hope to get lucky , and apparently do so too.Often I answer my phone (if no number showing on screen) xxxxxxxxx Restaurant how can I help You? (I have kept them on the phone for ages in the past but now I can't be RSED)

Richie-from-the-Boro

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

Nope they don't know "I ran genuine Microsoft software, but didn't know my OS" you said yes of course it's genuine software is..... . If they had said is that Mr Nigem , you should say he's not here , or can ask who is calling he is in a meeting. It's social engineering all over again, they hope to get lucky , and apparently do so too.Often I answer my phone (if no number showing on screen) xxxxxxxxx Restaurant how can I help You? (I have kept them on the phone for ages in the past but now I can't be RSED)

I've used the same ' pea ' style referees whistle for two decades .. .. without apologies .. .. and with no warning to the caller. I get one or three per annum now and have done for five or six years.

It's my phone, my home and I bought both. If they invade my personal space / property I'll deal with it my way. There are only two ways of hurting someone (1) pain and (2) money. I can't affect their pocket but I can inflict real pain.

debitcardmayhem

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

I've used the same ' pea ' style referees whistle for two decades .. .. without apologies .. .. and with no warning to the caller. I get one or three per annum now and have done for five or six years.

It's my phone, my home and I bought both. If they invade my personal space / property I'll deal with it my way. There are only two ways of hurting someone (1) pain and (2) money. I can't affect their pocket but I can inflict real pain.

Richie my friend I would have thought you would have asked for their forum address and inflict real pain :beer::beer:

Richie-from-the-Boro

HiYa debitcardmayhem .. .. :beer::beer:

atrixblue.-MFR-.

usual intro's are " hi im joanna lee blagg im calling from "WINDOWS" your system has alerted "us" to a potential and damageing virus threat, that could potentially lead to your credit card details being sent over the internet".

"hi my name is "affrente clew" i am calling from microsoft, your pc has a virus that we urgently need to remove"

ive taken to asking them to wait a second while i "boot up" then put a bit of iron maiden on and put the phone on the speaker "run to the hills".

macman

nigem wrote: »

I assumed they wanted money, so wasnt keen to talk, but i wondered why they had my name etc

Your name comes out of the phone book, the electoral roll, or some ancient mailing list that they've bought online for a few dollars.
They don't know that you have 'genuine Microsoft software', they don't even know that you have a computer.