New spate of "Windows Technical Team" phone calls

prowla

I've had a couple of these calls in this past week, where someone from the "Windows Technical Team" claims that your computer is sending messages over the internet and that all sorts of horrible things are going to happen to it if you don't let them fix it for you.

These calls are a scam; they want you to allow them to access your computer so that they can either steal information from you or demand money off you to put it right.

The best thing you can do is to try and keep them on the line as long as possible (which wastes their time and hopefully stops them moving on to their next target so quickly).

You can even have some fun if you like, for example waiting for your computer to start up because it is awfully slow today, losing your internet connection, forgetting to tell them it's a Mac or Linux system, getting them to repeat what they say, not understanding what the Windows Key is, asking them which computer it is because you've got three, and so-on. Remember, the more exasperated and angry they get, the better job you are doing! :-)

But whatever you do, do not actually let them onto your machine (one tried to get me to download some software and install it and got rather upset when it wouldn't work and I eventually told them I was running Linux).

I'm actually thinking of one day letting them onto an old machine which I don't need, just to waste as much of their time as I can. It depends if I have some free time when they call.

Remember, these people don't actually know anything about your computer at all and are simply ringing random phone numbers in the hope of catching someone who is going to do as they say.

TonyMMM

Still never had one of these calls, which is a bit disappointing, I would have a lot of fun with them !

Sharon87

I've done this before, it's fun baiting them!

duchy

I've taken calls from customers both very distressed after getting them and others just ringing to tell me they've had one. People should be aware that a twist on the MS scenario is that they will claim to be calling "On behalf of BT, Sky and Virgin" and other broadband providers.

My way of dealing with them is to sound very interested .......Oooh yes- - Oh hang on there's someone at the door - won't be a moment .........put the phone down on the side - and go back to whatever I was doing. It's amazing how long they will patiently wait- especially if you go back and tell them you won't be long once or twice. Less effort than baiting and of course you do it in the knowledge that whilst they are "waiting" for you - they can't be bugging someone else.

LilElvis

TonyMMM wrote: »

Still never had one of these calls, which is a bit disappointing, I would have a lot of fun with them !

Drop me a PM with your phone number and I will gladly forward my calls from Windows Technical Support to you. Amusing at first, but less so when you've been hearing the same rubbish 3 or 4 times a week for over a year.

meer53

I love speaking to them. If i'm not in the mood for a chat i just put the phone down. It's no big deal when you hear it's them, to just cut them off. They won't be offended.

RichardD1970

I had the broadband one a couple of weeks ago. First time I've had one and was starting to feel quite left out .

Kept him on the phone for about 15 mins, he really thought he had got someone, he could hardly contain himself and kept having to stifle his laughter :rotfl:

SpammyTheSpammer

My OH had one of these a few weeks ago and said that it was initially handled by a very cute-sounding Asian lady. He has something of a thing about these so she was kept on the line for a very long time whilst he asked her about her underwear, sexual habits etc. Apparently she repeatedly tried to pass him off to a man but he claimed that the line was poor and that they would have to call him back. According to him, he got them to call him 3 times before they gave up. He is now awaiting further calls with a dribbly mouth, I am not amused, boys eh?

DCFC79

Ive had a few of these in about a year, first 2 were amusing but now I just get bored so tell them I have no PC.

powerful_Rogue

Ive only had one of these calls, was last year. Managed to keep the man on the line for 45 minutes. To say he was angry by the end of the call when he realised what I was doing is an understatement!

pinkshoes

I've had a couple this week, and one of them was actually quite rude when I said my computer was fine, then when I hung up, he kept ringing back and being quite aggressive.

I'm registered with TPS but that doesn't stop the calls.

They ask for me by my married surname, and the ONLY form I have EVER filled in using that name was when I clearly ticked the box saying no contact from anyone else.

Clearly they have sold my details on without my permission! Wish I can remember who it was now...