Microsoft phone scam

NikNox

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but it's certainly internet related. We've had several calls now from someone claiming to be from Microsoft, telling us our computer is infected and that they need remote access to sort out the problem. Of course we haven't fallen for it, and each time have told these people to 'do one' and leave us alone. However, our neighbour took things a little further with these con artists than we ever have, and luckily phoned my husband, because he was suspicious, before parting with the £130 they were telling him he needed to spend on Virus Software!!!! However, he did let them have access to his computer, and they basically put a virus on it and then wanted him to pay for their 'Virus Software' to get the virus removed.

Just a warning really, although I'm sure most people are aware of this scam. We've just had them on the phone again, and my husband was saying 'listen, I KNOW you're not from Microsoft, so please do not call this number again. I am not going to allow you access to my computer, I have adequate virus software and don't believe a word you are saying'. The indian gentleman on the other end got quite shirty with my husband, and would not hang up so my husband did. We suspect we will probably get several more calls today from them.

So, everyone beware of these con artists. They can sound very convincing, but the upshot of it is that Microsoft never cold call, so just be careful and don't fall for it.

jem16

NikNox wrote: »

However, he did let them have access to his computer,

How exactly did they do this?

spud17

jem16 wrote: »

How exactly did they do this?

They generally pester you into going to a site and install Teamviewer or Logmein.
There is a certain amount of co-operation needed by the 'hit', but they can be very persuasive.

It's been suggested on the techie board that this becomes a 'sticky' because there is an average of a post/week about this scam in its various guises.

NikNox

jem16 wrote: »

How exactly did they do this?

I'm not sure exactly, but they got him to type something in. so they could check if his computer was infected, and got remote access, which is when he started to panic. He told them to call back as he had something to do (I know, silly) and immediately phoned my hubby who told him NOT to communicate with them anymore and to shut his computer down and disconnect it from the internet and said when he got home from work he'd pop round and see what the damage was. Anyway, they phoned back and told him he needed to buy anti-virus software for £130 to get rid of the virus they had 'found' on his computer.

The sad thing about this scam is that they do sound genuine, or at least they sound as if they know what they're talking about. I remember the first time they called our house and I was at home alone and they did sound genuine, although I didn't fall for it, thankfully. They've actually called back 2 more times today, despite being told to 'do one' earlier. They seem quite persistent to say the least!

kenr

This scam has been going on for a while now, it was mentioned in the plusnet forum some time ago and since I transferred to PN's phone service I have had 2 of those calls. (I find it strange that before I never had any calls but since I transferred to PN for phone I am getting lots of these spam calls)

Now since I use LINUX :TI say my M$ computer has problems :rotfl:

And tell them to go procreate :j

Fred_Bear_2

I had a call two days ago from a very nice man from 'Windows'. He said Windows had detected a dangerous fault with my computer. I decided to keep him talking for as long as possible. I achieved a record (for me) of 43 minutes. If everyone did this these callers would be put out of business. If you put the phone down immediately, they have more time to find someone else more gullible to swindle. I realise not everyone has the time to spend on this but I have at the moment, and it's a bit of fun. He has agreed to call me back this afternoon. I shall do everything to slow the conversation down to keep him on the line: When he calls I will be in the bathroom and have to finish what I am doing before proceeding. Then I will have to make my way slowly (I have a dodgy leg) to the other end of my very large house to the room where I keep my computer. Of course the computer will need to be switched on which takes a long time because it is working very slowly. Also I am not very good with computers so I will find it very difficult to understand what he is asking me to do. The bad phone line won't help of course and he will need to repeat everything. Then various items will be missing from Windows menus. I will remain polite at all times and thank him for helping me deal with the problems I have been having with my computer. I will report back here if I manage to beat 43 minutes.

He didn't call. Maybe tomorrow.

Fred_Bear_2

Today I had a call from PC Miles 'in association with Microsoft'. I asked him if he was a policeman but he didn't understand my attempt at a joke. I kept him (and a colleague) on the line for a total of 61 minutes - another new record for me. After failing to fix my computer he has promised to call back at 10am tomorrow. However I am tiring of this now. Maybe I will try for another record when I am in the mood.

Mrs_L

I had one of these calls a few months ago and totally confused the poor man by telling him that I did not own a computer so was he sure he had the right number. He was amazed that I didn't have a computer (I have but was not going to let him know). It must have worked though as have never had another call.

spannerzone

Fred_Bear wrote: »

Today I had a call from PC Miles 'in association with Microsoft'. I asked him if he was a policeman but he didn't understand my attempt at a joke. I kept him (and a colleague) on the line for a total of 61 minutes - another new record for me. After failing to fix my computer he has promised to call back at 10am tomorrow. However I am tiring of this now. Maybe I will try for another record when I am in the mood.

wow an excellent effort indeed!

well done

james2012_2

I also got a call about my computer sending out messages to Microsoft and needing to connect to a web site.:j:rotfl:

I did all the things he wanted me to do, mispelling occasionally and misunderstanding him.:cool:

After 15 minutes or so of typing stuff in and reading stuff back to him he tells me my computer is broken and I have to type this into the run box, http://www.careyourpc.com/default.aspx , so that he can fix it for me, and I told him it says cannot connect to web page is that because I don't have an internet connection at home?

But you have to have an internet connection, your computer is sending messages to me he says.

Damm clever computer I've got, connecting to the internet with no internet connection, I told him,

He argued a few more times then hung up.:(

phil_solo

Had one of these myself this morning - 'Mike' from 'The Technical Department' of 'CareYourPC', had him repeat the name a couple of times because of his accent, dodgy phone line and my supposed 'less than perfect' hearing, then faffed around for a bit while I started my computer (it was already on), but I dnd't have the stomach to toy with him for the long game (kudos to Fred Bear who did!) and eventually after 7 or 8 minutes or so gave up and told him I had a Mac (not true) at which point he claimed to have dialled the wrong number and hung up.

I like a good game, but the trade off between pleasure gained from a wind up and the time spent on it means I could never justify more than a few minutes of my life leading these scum on.