a scam warning [but not ataxia related]

[wobelyjohn]

It appears that this area is being telephone targeted again by people calling themselves “*******windows” beware the operating system on your pc is by “Microsoft Windows” they will try to frighten you by getting you to open the event log on your pc do not be frightened the same thing is often repeated under a different name so there will be lots of repeats, at the end of the conversation you will be asked to buy software to sort this out.

ps this is the reply I received from microsoft

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Customer Service.

I understand you have received a phone call from an individual claiming to be from Microsoft. I would like you to know that these calls are scam/ phishing calls, which try to capture your personal information like Credit Card number or SSN.

John, I appreciate your taking the time to report this issue to Microsoft. This is a known scam. Criminal organizations are using Microsoft's name to try to gain your trust. I can categorically confirm that neither Microsoft nor our partners make unsolicited phone calls to help solve your computer problems. If you receive an unsolicited phone call that purports to be from Microsoft and requests that you send personal information, hang up the phone immediately.

I know this is not ataxia related but people with ataxia should not be coned.

[Wyndham]

I had one of these calls as well, and they are definitely not from Microsoft.

In general, never give credit card details to anyone who cold calls, either by telephone or at the door. If you really, really want to purchase something, then get their details, check them out by talking to other people or looking them up on then internet, and then when you are happy, phone them up to do the necessary. This way you can be sure things are above board.