24/7 PC Cold Call

Nocturnes

Just had a call from what sounded like an overseas call centre from a man calling himself Robert Williams of 24/7 PC Care. I asked where he was calling from and he said Baker Street London! He said my computer was sending out bad signals(!!) and he was warning me about it. I said ":What rubbish and anyway, I don't accept marketing calls". He went off on one then, yelling "This is not a marketing call, I am warning you that your computer is in trouble, I care and I want to help you! I am from Microsoft!". If I had time I should have carried it on to see what his purpose was, but online I see it is mentioned as some kind of scam. Anyway, warning in case anyone else gets a call from them.
Apologies if it is already on here, did a search and didn't see it.

davidlizard

It's quite common unfortunately.

Next time one calls, tell him you work for Microsoft as well, and ask which office he is in, then ask if they know such and such a person, and if they do, tell him he owes you money and can he go and get it.

sagalout1954

I haven't had any calls since I told them I didn't know what they were talking about as I didn't have a PC!

Nocturnes

Hehe, I should keep the smart answers by the phone, I can never think of them at the time. If my mother or in-laws got a call like this, they might be fooled and I guess many people are if these weasels keep bothering to make the calls.

Dave_C_2

Tried everything with these scum, from linux PC to Foxtrot Oscar
I get the best results by stringing them along a bit
"have to wait while the computer boots up - it's so slow these days"
then "sorry I have to answer the door"
and go and make a cup of tea.

This takes minimal effort and wastes their time. Me wasting their time means one less person for them to con.

Dave

joedenise

I just ask them who's calling because they invariably ask for my OH and they just hang up on me. It's worked so far.

Denise

Pennywise2012

I'm just imagining this guy having a mental picture of Robbie Williams tricked out as Sherlock Holmes and thinking, "Yes, that's what the British are like. That's going to be my persona for this job." :rotfl:

kermitfrog

Dave_C wrote: »

Me wasting their time means one less person for them to con.

Best tactic.

Hanging up, swearing at them, showing how much smarter you are than them might make you feel better but does nothing to hamper their enterprise.

Wasting their time if you have the time to do it, is the best way to stop it happening to someone else more trusting/vulnerable/gullible.