New Scam circling?

Darlyd

Just read a friends FB status, and apparently a company called " global internet tecnolgy service (GITS)" rung her to say that her computer is sending red errors, And that they work for Microsoft and she must to what they say as it's a criminal offence. She hung up of course, after telling them she was a computer tech, but they called back numerous times and now she has took her phone of the hook. Many replies to her status stating similar.

Anyone heard of this? If not you have now.

Just hope they do not tackle the Ederly/Vulnerable.

Hovel_lady

darlyd wrote: »

Just read a friends FB status, and apparently a company called " global internet tecnolgy service (GITS)" rung her to say that her computer is sending red errors, And that they work for Microsoft and she must to what they say as it's a criminal offence. She hung up of course, after telling them she was a computer tech, but they called back numerous times and now she has took her phone of the hook. Many replies to her status stating similar.

Anyone heard of this? If not you have now.

Just hope they do not tackle the Ederly/Vulnerable.

These sort of things are always scams.
Micros*ft never cold call customers.

delain

I used to get lots of calls from people telling me my computer has a virus and that they are from microsoft and I can pay over the phone and they can fix it remotely *yawn*

Obviously 'your computer is broken' stopped working so they got a new script!

ShAnE

My parents had this same call over Christmas. Luckily I (who graduated from uni with a degree in Computer Science) answered the phone.

-You have errors sir, do you know why that could be?
+Dodgy coding, by the software developers, insufficient testing, or user error?
-Have you noticed your downloads are slow, why do you think that is?
+A bottle neck in the line, my ISP throttling my bandwidth?

Proceeded to go along with his BS, about logging on to me PC, and leading him on numerous wild goose chases involving my mac, my microwave, and even a typewriter.

He must have called about 6 times, until I lost my rag and told him to phone the police or **** off.

But people do need to be aware, that these scumbags do try their luck with everyone.

barbiedoll

It's shocking, the sheer amount of these scams that are about, every day someone seems to post about a new one. I've not heard of "red errors" though, are they more serious than amber errors? :rotfl:
And the stuff about "a criminal offence" :eek: There certainly is a criminal offence being committed, just not by whoever answers the phone to these calls.

The standard advice, (and a good tip for elderly people who are more vunerable to these scams), is to tell them that you have a mac. And then put the phone down. If anyone has older relatives who they know would be at risk from these conmen, get them to remember the word "Mac". And also tell them to completely ignore any threats about viruses, infections, errors of any colour and certainly any warnings about illegal or criminal activity. It's surprising just how many intelligent and sensible people get caught out though, ultimately, most of us are ignorant about how computers/the internet actually work, so we tend to believe what we're told. Especially if it's scary! :mad:

pogofish

darlyd wrote: »

Just read a friends FB status, and apparently a company called " global internet tecnolgy service (GITS)" rung her to say that her computer is sending red errors, And that they work for Microsoft and she must to what they say as it's a criminal offence. She hung up of course, after telling them she was a computer tech, but they called back numerous times and now she has took her phone of the hook. Many replies to her status stating similar.

Anyone heard of this? If not you have now.

Just hope they do not tackle the Ederly/Vulnerable.

Nope, not new. Just a variation on a very well established one.

Linda32

There was a report a few months ago on Radio 4's Today program, their technical chappy had the same telephone call. He played along for ages before he told them he had a Mac computer. Apparently the person making the phone call really lost their rag and accused him of wasting his time!!! :rotfl:

loracan1

It's not new, and they tend to hang up without another word if you tell them you're using linux/a mac/browse the internet on your phone.

joeblack066

My friend had this call - he's usually quite savvy, but I was horrified when he told me they'd logged into his PC remotely and wasn't it amazing!! I haven't seen him for a bit to see if he's been identity frauded or had his bank accounts emptied.................... you only have to search it to find out that there are numerous scams run this way!!!!

Mupette

Just tell them you don't own a computer at all.

Pennylane

I took this very call about an hour ago (Number withheld of course). I have had about 4 of these in the past 2/3 years.

All my calls have been people with Indian accents who keep calling me Ma'am. Oh, and they know my name when they call. They say they're from Microsoft and my computer is running very slow and did I know. Today I just gave him the silent treatment and left the phone on the side and let him talk to himself. On previous occasions I have screamed obscenities at him , pretended to go along with him and told him I don't have a computer.

A neighbour of mine (who has only recently acquired a laptop) has just paid £50 to have her computer checked at a shop because she nearly fell for this scam. She took her call about a month ago and was convinced it was genuine. They told her to switch her computer on and click on various things and put the phone down and they'd call her back in 10 minutes. She was slightly concerned so asked them to give her their number and they gave her a number in London (she says) which she then rang and convinced herself it was genuine. She put the phone down when they answered and when they rang her back they said "Did you just ring us because we told you we'd ring you." She didn't actually pay them any money though, so that's something.