Microsoft telephone call

von

Hi, I'm not sure what to do as I am completely useless about the internet. I have received a withheld telephone call this evening from Microsoft (indian voice) who tells me that they have received reports that my computer has been infected with a bug and they want me to access my computer so that they can show me the infection and fix it. As I have no idea if this is normal practise I told him that my laptop was not close at hand and to ring me back tomorrow. Does anyone know if this was a genuine phone call and should I believe what he is saying??

Browntoa

its a scam......

http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/security/online-privacy/avoid-phone-scams.aspx

annie1975_2

yes it is a scam. i got one of them calls a few weeks back. I just hung up on them.

McKneff

Its all a scam and widely known, they want access to your computer, they will take all your personal information and well, you can imagine what they will do with it.

So many peeps are on here with the same thing.

Have some fun with them. Last week when they rang me I let them spiel on, said to them 'just a moment' I put the phone to one side and left it there for 10 minutes, I picked it up and he was still there, He said I'd been a long time, I told him I just wanted him to know what it felt like when he and his company ring up and waste mine.

One person kept them on for nearly an hour, it was a sort of competition last week as to who could wind them up for the longest.
So, my friend, do what you will with them, have fun, and ignore what ever they say to you.

It wont be the first time they will ring you, so forewarned is fore armed,

I also tell them that after all the things they have got on me, well its a blumming miracle cos I dont have a computer.

von

Thanks, and am so grateful for all for your speedy replies, I think I may have a little fun. I'll have a think tomorrow and see how I can waste his time. Any more ideas would be appreciated...

prowla

Oh no - they're back!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2011/mar/01/microsoft-virus-scam-continues
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/06/16/tech_support_scam_calls/

(There are web site with stories of people baiting the scammers.)

Browntoa

tell them you need to go upstairs to PC

long pause and noises while you "go upstairs"

turn on PC , again long pause and apologise as its slow to boot

follow instructions from them , they will ask you to click on start button , ask where you find this on an Ubuntu PC (linux)

they hang up

jhe

i get these phone calls every week lately off various numbers (i have witheld numbers blocked) sometimes they say microsoft or other various companies always regarding slow computer or viruses.
i always ask them how i can have a problem when i dont own a computer. they soon put the phone down

McKneff

Tell them your wife just died.

You were in the middle of something with your partners

Do some heavy breathing and ask what colour his underpants are

Speak in a funny voice.

The fun can be endless.

Figment

Ask them if your computer is doing it right now, wait for them to say yes before calmly saying how surprised you are considering you've had no internet connection for a week/month as you haven't paid the bill

Firetastic

Say something along the lines of what this lady said. Hilarious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0fJ2-r9yOg&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBuPaJjilpk&feature=related