Scam "Ringing from Microsoft about your errors"

trotter09

Just had a scam call from an Indian chap. "Hello, I'm ringing from Microsoft about the errors on your computer."

Oh, really? I said.

"Yes, can you switch your computer on please?"

OK, I said. I waited for several minutes saying it was slow to start up today.

"What icons are showing on your desktop please?"

Er, Recycle Bin, My Computer, shortcut to my photos - is there one particular one we are looking for?

"Can you right click on My Computer please?"

OK. Which of the three problems I've got are you ringing me about?

"All of them, Sir."

I see, and which errors have actually been reported to Microsoft?

"All of them."

Including the blinking screen?

"Blinking screen, Sir?"

Yes, the blinking screen. And the leak - have you got details about the leak?

"Sir, please right click on My Computer. What options is it showing you?"

OK. Three options: Sod off you lying tw*t, f*** off you scammer and f*** off you lying c***.

Unperturbed he said: "Your computer is telling you to do that?"

No, it's telling me to tell you to do that. I hope you realise I am trying to waste as much of your time as possible you criminal b******. Maybe we should end this call?

"But we haven't solved your errors yet," he said perfectly calmly.

So politely I said: F*** off you lying scamming criminal c***.

And he said: "Thank you for your time, Sir."

Needless to say my computer was never switched on. And there's nothing wrong with it.

As I understand it, they get you to give them control of your computer saying they will fix the (non-existent) problems. Actually they gain access to your passwords, online banking details, etc.

He was very plausible and I can see how some people do get taken in. Be wary.

marliepanda

This scam is as old as the hills

trotter09

marliepanda wrote: »

This scam is as old as the hills

I wonder if the upgrade to Windows 10 is giving this scam a new lease of life and renewed plausibility.

REEN

Yes, they are at it again. I pretended to be hard of hearing and kept him shouting down the phone for a while till I got bored and told him what I thought of him.

POPPYOSCAR

I have had several of these.


Some of the conversations I have with them are hilarious. It never ceases to amaze me how persistent some of them are even when it is obvious you are winding them up.

Le_Kirk

Why have you posted this on two forums?

soolin

Reen wrote: »

Yes, they are at it again. I pretended to be hard of hearing and kept him shouting down the phone for a while till I got bored and told him what I thought of him.

My husband uses that one a lot, he holds the household record for keeping one on the phone for the longest -45 minutes.

The best I managed was around 20 minutes when they accused me of wasting their time and threatened to bomb my house.

I also once got very cross and put on my best Margaret Thatcher voice and asked them if their mother was proud of what they did for a living.

trotter09

soolin wrote: »

My husband uses that one a lot, he holds the household record for keeping one on the phone for the longest -45 minutes.

Ah, 45 minutes. I must try harder next time!

ElefantEd

27 mins is my best (I got bored of being a clueless computer newbie at this point).

enfield_freddy

soolin wrote: »

My husband uses that one a lot, he holds the household record for keeping one on the phone for the longest -45 minutes.

The best I managed was around 20 minutes when they accused me of wasting their time and threatened to bomb my house.

I also once got very cross and put on my best Margaret Thatcher voice and asked them if their mother was proud of what they did for a living.

I wonder if Margaret Thatchers mother was proud of what her daughter did to working people , many years ago ,

boo_star

trotter09 wrote: »

I wonder if the upgrade to Windows 10 is giving this scam a new lease of life and renewed plausibility.

It's already happened.

http://bgr.com/2015/07/31/windows-10-scam-email/