Microsoft just called me

[Beckenham1]

Microsoft (India) just called me to say that I'm downloading junk and she would guide me through it.

I've had 2 calls today, and one last month.

Next thing they ask is or you to download a programme. Where they can remotely take over your PC to fix it.

Then you do get junk.

Then for a small fee they will rescue your PC.

Don't fall for it. Microsoft dont make calls and they dont pay you for sending out eMails or do software trials either.

Just tell them to hold on, leave the phone on and let them waste their time.

If you want to be as malicious as they are, occasionally talk to them. Time it, and see how long you can stop them from suckering someone else.

Let me know how long you tangled them up and I'll think of a prize.

Best regards
Jim

[speleobat2]

Jim,

It never ceases to amaze me the imagination that the scammers have! And talk about crass...On April 29th we were hit with a devastating series of tornados here in northern Alabama. The storms killed over 300 people. A week or so later I received a call from a heavily accented man saying that he was from my IT department and that the recent storms had done something to the satellites which gave viruses to all of the computers in northern Alabama and that he could fix this for me if I would go online and do what he said. I hung up on him. When I googled his phone number which showed up on caller ID, it was a Nova Scotia area code and there were many comments about him. Apparently many people have reported him to various agencies, but no one has caught him yet. Hopefully, someone will soon!

Carol

[AndrewP]

I receive these phone calls too. As soon as the voice from the distance tells me that he knows my PC has a virus, I put the phone down.

All the best,

AndrewP

[ninatoo]

They're calling Australia too. I had a call like that a long time ago, but my mother had a call and a friend also just recently.

[jgmills]

See this previous topic, it includes a photo of the chap from India.

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=15472&start=0

Cheers
John

[Beckenham1]

I didn't know there had been a previous alert.

The more the better, I suppose.

I once got a warning flashing up on the screen saying I had a virus; it looked like Windows was telling me. I had visited an Indian News Site, when it came on INSTANTLY. The warning suggested I download a programme to resolve it. Of course this is a variation on the same theme. Dont upload, as you say. Shut down and reboot; then run your own virus checker and defender software to check out the situation. The reboot in itself is probably enough.

Best regards, Jim

[Elison]

I have NEVER heard about official Microsoft calls to the clients about some soft or apps. Maximum what they do is sending an email if you have given it to them while regestering. as well as of the other companies.

[ninatoo]

It is really important to never click on the 'x' on those rogue warnings, as that action is enough to allow it to get into your computer. I have my kids go to task manager/processes/firefox (or whatever browser you use) and then click 'end task'. Or alternatively, just go straight to shut down - save your work if you can, but sometimes, the inconvenience of losing a bit of work is nothing compared to losing everything!

The problems come when you try to close these fake warning boxes. NEVER click anywhere on these bogus warnings. My rule is if anything at all pops up on my screen, it is unsolicited. Therefore it is dangerous, so I end it safely.

Nina