Fake Microsoft Cold Calling

three1ne

Not sure if this is really the correct place, so apologizes if this needs to be moved.


I had a call from a "microsoft" technical support company. They're doing the old trick of getting you to look at Event Viewer (within Windows) and showing you a load of errors and warnings (that are perfectly normal).

Obviously I'm aware of this and messed around with him for 5 minutes, claiming my name was Bob The Builder etc.

I was asked for credit card details etc, offered a "warranty" and was given prices for 1,2 or 3 years.

Etc etc, everyone on here probably knows the drill.


But, Im wondering why companies like this arent investigated (I assume they operate outside of the UK and they have no traceable number/constantly changing number) so I guess thats partly my answer.


There are obviously people out there that will fall for this. After I told him I wasnt really Bob The Builder he admitted I didnt have a virus, and that they make loads of money everyday from other people.

Anyway, im rambling. Just interested if anyone knows anything about these companies.

pcombo

There indian scum bags, probably working for some person here in UK.

squeaky

Hi

I'll move this across to our warnings board.

Forum_Team wrote:

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redped

They're out & out lying thieves. I had a girl with a thick Indian accent phone me last week, and when I asked where she got my phone number from she replied that I had given my number to Microsoft when I bought my PC. :rotfl:

Even when I told her she was lying to me she kept insisting I had given them my number. She'd still be saying that if I hadn't put the phone down on her.

Lying thieves.

Ballymackeonan

Just tell them that your PC is running Linux, not Windows - that should scupper them!

A friend who was plagued by these calls kept a whistle by the phone and blew it (loudly) into the mouthpiece....the word must have got around as the calls have stopped!

Tangible

The simple rule is never ever to give your card details to anyone over the phone. You cannot be certain of the identity of the person calling, and thus have no control of what they'll do with those details.

I'm astonished by the number of supposedly 'reputable' companies whose business appears based solely on misusing people's card details, whether by sharp practice or an out and out scam. I would therefore take the principle further and never input my card details into a website without having checked the reputation of the company involved, with regard to their handling of clients' card details by a simple and quick Google search.

I am dismayed that card facility providers don't appear to be fussy enough about what their clients are doing with those facilities, but if consumers do their chacks, those companies involved in these practices will wither and die.

Sewsosew

I just say that I know nothing about the computer apart from what it looks like and that my husband deals with it. That usually works. I don't get into any other discussion. My friend talks to them in our local dialect and that seems to stump them.

nzmegs

I had this call last week and was so incensed i had a right go at the woman. I told her what she was doing was illegal and that she should be ashamed of herself for working for such a company.She kept asking me to check my computer. The thing is we don't run on windows - we have linux and as someone already pointed out - this puts a pretty quick end to the conversation. However she did ask if we have any computer in the house on windows - I said "not a chance...why would i when it encourages calls from people like you?"

Luckyred

I got rid of them (or so I thought) by telling them I dont have a computer. They didnt ring for a while but lo and behold they are back. I dont enter into any conversation with them at all now..... I just cut them off. Knowing that they are trying to rob people (and probably succeeding in some cases) drives me mad! :mad:

Redcase

Just got my voter registration letter in,went right through to the freephone number to opt out of the register.Hope this will at least cut down on unwanted phonecalls in the future.Advised my friends and family to try the same

Luckyred,i told them i sold my computer to pay a bill ,so far they still call back nearly every second day.

I get the feeling they need you to hang up on them so i just wait for them to get bored and hang up on me ,swearing at me as they do.

three1ne

Quite amusing how some of you have to make up stories to get rid of them, either hang up/dont answer/entertain yourself by telling them you're Bob The Builder.