Possible malicous telephone call

cepheus

Someone just called me claiming to be from Microsoft, stating he was detecting that my computer was sending headquarters information on faults or malicious software from my computer. I doubt if it was genuine, although I have had a few problems of late. Is there any Microsoft dept I can report this call to?

As expected the number is hidden, he merely says his name is Michael Edwards and is based in London and hung up when I asked for his number.

JasX

yes its malicious, ignore it.

debitcardmayhem

It's a scam, Microsoft won't act on it, and they wouldn't even know you have Windows, just ignore them.

tibbyuk

This has been happening to quite a few people, and is quite nasty.

Basically they get you too check your error log in windows, and 9/10 there is always an error in there. They then say they can fix it for a fee, and ask to remotely connect to your computer.

While connected they disable the screen, so you can't see what they are doing and tell you (on the phone) that they will be about 30 mins.

I know someone, who had a client fall for this (he does computer repairs) and he couldn't find any malware, keyloggers, rootkits etc on the system. But he performed a full format just in case.

This is really dastardly, as a large portion of computer users nowadays are concerned with viruses but don't understand the situation fully and fall for this.

This could even be worth putting up as a Sticky or an explanation post for a short while till the appropriate standards agency sort this out. That or Microsoft sue them for misappropriating their name and brand.

free4440273

def. a scam .

Dave_C_2

Just had one of these calls this morning and they are really scraping the barrel. I could hardly understand the Asian sounding woman at the other end and it quickly became apparent that she only knew just enough English to work to her script.

Even so I was going to string her along for the sport, but her English was just too poor and in the end I just swore and hung up.

Dave

googler

cepheus wrote: »

Someone just called me claiming to be from Microsoft, stating he was detecting that my computer was sending headquarters information on faults or malicious software from my computer. I doubt if it was genuine, although I have had a few problems of late. Is there any Microsoft dept I can report this call to?

Think about it. Think about it.

If Microsoft were phoning out to people about problems with end-user computers, HOW WOULD THEY GET THE COMPUTER OWNERS' PHONE NUMBERS? Have you ever given Microsoft your phone number?

If Microsoft were phoning out about computer problems, they would need a call centre the size of Nebraska. They haven't. They're too busy designing the next version of Windoze to sell us.

duchy

There's a lot of this about -I've had customers getting these calls usually claiming to be from Microsoft or one of the bigger internet providers -and it is truely frightening how many people give over their creditcard numbers or allow remote access to their computers.

These scum work from overseas so there really is no way to stop them as the telecoms companies have no right to block them as they are operating outside of UK laws .

tibbyuk

Luckily, in this case they are using Microsoft's name and they don't tend to like people using their name for scams. As Microsoft are worldwide it wouldn't surprise me if this company quickly disappears.

Granted they will most likely pop up again with another name, but will stem the flow for a short while.

kerrazoo

My wife just got this call... very persistent over the last couple of days... saying they were from Microsoft several times i think they phoned the house about 20 times. Luckily she realised it was a scam when they started asking for £90 to work on her computer whilst she left the computer terminal open, but they are really preying on people who are worried about viruses.

texranger

i got one the other day and i told them dont worry i am a Microsoft Certified IT Professional, and guess what they hung up.