bogus microsoft scammers

koiboy

Has anybody had those scammers phone up saying you have errors on your computer I had one phone up today I usually tell them I work for Microsoft and they put phone down on me I can see somebody less tech minded falling for there scam .
http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/news/watch-out-for-microsoft-scam-calls-to-fix-your-computer-jan15

FreeBear

Yup. String them along for an hour or three (if I'm feeling bored), and when they finally try to gain remote access to my computer, I tell them I'm using a Mac.

Sometimes I'll run their crummy little remote access programme under Wine, and read out the wonderfully cryptic error messages - Confuses the hell out of the dumb s**ts. :rotfl:

onomatopoeia99

I tell them I'm running linux, or if feeling particularly mean, Haiku.

They end the call immediately on hearing "linux".

ballyblack

It has been discussed here numerous times;

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5306030

mac.d

My Mum gets these calls and likes to tell them that no, she isn't having any problems with her windows, they look just fine, and in fact she's just recently had new windows installed so there can't possibly be anything wrong with them. It always takes them a while to figure out she's not talking about her computer.....

Double_V

FreeBear wrote: »

Yup. String them along for an hour or three (if I'm feeling bored), and when they finally try to gain remote access to my computer, I tell them I'm using a Mac.

Sometimes I'll run their crummy little remote access programme under Wine, and read out the wonderfully cryptic error messages - Confuses the hell out of the dumb s**ts. :rotfl:

How does wine work ?
So no program is installed on PC ?

Cycrow

Wine is basically the Windows API that runs on Linux and allows you to run some windows software on linux/mac.

esuhl

FreeBear wrote: »

Sometimes I'll run their crummy little remote access programme under Wine, and read out the wonderfully cryptic error messages - Confuses the hell out of the dumb s**ts. :rotfl:

That's brave. I'm not sure I'd want to run or install anything suggested by scammers. I doubt any such software would be aware of Linux, but you never know -- Wine isn't a sandbox.

AndyPix

The 90's called - they want their scam back

Fightsback

If you are worried about scammers then buy this book:



Friz

I have just had a call from a withheld number claiming to be from Microsoft saying my Windows computer was hacked. They said they were called Amy (ID ME1225) then David Meller (senior Engineer). I asked how they knew this and was told my PC ID was sending messages. The address they gave me, where they say they were from is Victoria Street, London and gave me a phone number . I asked if it was definitely a Microsoft/Windows PC and was told yes. If it was a minor fault they could repair it for free otherwise it was £40-50. I then told David that he was lying to which he said that was my problem. I then told him it was his problem and he was lying as there isn't a Microsoft /Windows PC in the house. He hung up!