I've now had two phone calls to my home phone this morning, telling me that microsoft has informed him to contact me as there was a big problem and wanted me to open my computer immediately as Microsoft said this was important and he had to fix it. I told him I'm not opening my computer, but he kept on persuading and I hung up.
One hour - and by the way both calls were on my home phone number.
The same rigmarole and he was so insistent that I open my computer I again hung up.
I'm glad I don't do online banking as I think, if it is a scam, some may lose money.
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shaws
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Hey there Shaws ;Happened to me yesterday whilst my laptop was on :
3 alarm folders appeared to override where I was and a hooter sound and a voice advising me to immediately call Microsoft on the number given on screen as needing to fix problems ;
I fell for it - don't do on line banking - but foolishly thought I was speaking to Microsoft - anyway, long story short found a bank alert on my phone once the line wasn't blocked and I've obviously been scammed and feel very angry and foolish.
Yes, and my telephone was blocked and afterwards when I picked up the phone there was a message from my bank telling me of suspected fraud on my account and to ring a special number.
So the bank had blocked my account about an hour beforehand - card now cancelled and wait and see what evolves in the next few days.
A day later, and I would have already read your post and been more aware of what goes on.
So many frauds are carried out daily that we've got to have eyes everywhere, the problem is we've only got two.
You were lucky your bank was sharp in informing you.
There must have been, or still is, frauds as the people who do these are always searching for ways to get into accounts. That's why I don't do online backing.
Yes, it's very unsettling and my confidence has all but disappeared, all over again.
I 've just had my laptop checked for worms and or a Trojan Horse and it all appears ok and safe so to go forth and carry on, without causing any grief to anybody else.
Hey, me too. Happy years in Birmingham as a student! And yes, many spam calls per day. don't bother to ask them to take your number off their stupid phone list, just hang up as soon as you here that little "Boop" sound (Yes, Boop, not Beep). That's the sound that tells the caller that some sucker on his phone bank actually answered - then he picks it up and repeats, "Can I speak to Lahs please." That drives me to distraction, I rightly answered my phone with "Hello, this is LAHS." I usually yell "no you bloody can't" at this point and hang up.
No software or computer company will EVER ring you like that. They don't know what's on your computer. They don't know who you are. How could they?
Never, ever engage with anyone on the phone who asks you to do anything with your computer and NEVER give them any personal information at all. Just put the phone down immediately.
If I'm not too busy I enjoy playing them. Stringing them along, acting dumb, for as long as possible before they realise and hang up. I figure that whilst they are on my line they are not on someone else's who might fall for it.
They don't. They couldn't possibly. That's why you know it's an immediate scam.
I get them all the time. Always some poor sap called "Philip" with a strong Indian accent. They always start with the Microsoft stuff and I play them along. If I get bored before they do that's the moment I tell them I'm running all Apple products. That gets the phone put down fast.
My husband plays them along so well. Often he says he can't do anything without his supervisor so they ask him to get the supervisor. He dithers a bit and then agrees to go get him. Puts the phone on the desk and either comes down to make a cup of coffee or just carries on typing and working alongside the phone. Again they eventually get bored and hang up. The longer we keep them on the less damage they can do that day.
Even if you did have internet banking (couldn't survive without it) no bank would ever send you an email asking for you to confirm details or passwords or anything like it. And they wouldn't phone you either. If they need you to do anything they email to tell you that you have a message in your account and you need to log in and read it.
And if you ever get a call saying they are ringing about the accident you had, do what I did: I asked if they were referring to the accident I had where my head fell off? There was a pause and the line went dead. Never heard from them since 🤣
Microsoft don't phone you EVER unless you put in a support call (it's an 0344 800 number for Microsoft 365 support response) and then only if you are a business or have paid for support as a consumer. I am a Microsoft registered partner. Logically, why would they care if there was something wrong with your computer, as it's your responsibility to backup your data, and install updates and security patches?
That scam has been going on for decades!Don't speak and hang up!
Have had many scam calls over many years....credit card used to pay large sums, tax fraud, and I'm going to jail, claim for car accident, computer fault and more.
They are using recorded messages too, with British accents....
They must be making some money because they persist.
The man who spoke to me was very persuasive in his language and loud voice and I think many might have fallen for it. He kept telling me that it was microsoft as if that would have made a difference. I said I don't care who it is I don't want to know anything about it and disconnected.
I don't usually talk to them but decided one day to string along a chap purporting to be from Microsoft. He did the persuasive spiel then I said, right, now you had better explain that to my son he's a computer scientist ( which is true). He disappeared at the speed of lightening! Waste of time really, the only thing they care about is catching people out.
I don't know if they only get paid if they are able to access a computer. Goodness knows what info they can collect, especially if someone does banking online.
I don't think they can access any details on your computer, that's scare tactics, I think they offer an unnecessary fix for a supposed problem, that's why they want you to open your computer......and then charge for it They have no idea what computer you have. I have had it explained to me but can't remember the details....then they push hard for the payment for the supposed fix and probably turn nasty which frightens people into stumping up.Very badly explained, it's a case of a little bit of knowledge etc .... but you get the gist!
My son is at the other end of the country so I can't turn round now and ask him but the guy on the other end of the phone didn't know that!
They absolutely can’t access or see details on your computer. But if they can persuade you to do as they say and let them have access, that’s a different kettle of fish. They can load malware an hunt for passwords etc.
If only the Goverment would put a 1p tax on every telephone call it would put an end to most nuisance calls with very little effect on our pockets. (In my case about 1p a week).
I've long thought that we could do with something like 1471.
Dial the special number immediately after you hang up a spam (or worse) call. The telephone systems then collect all the information, automatically, and submit it to the appropriate authorities.
Ideally, at least on mobiles, there would seem to be the possibility of a special extra "key" you can even use during such a call. Especially useful if it is a seriously nasty situation.
There was one major telephone spam call operation operating from south Wales - eventually was closed down.
Even if it is from abroad, if there is sufficient reporting, it should be possible to do something. We as customers can't see all the behind-the-scenes information, but if the device ID is visible to telecommunications operators, then a sufficient number of reports could be used to block them. At least it could force them to have a cost of changing phones!
Of course, it does need multi-lateral co-operation to shut them down.
This person was insisting that I open my computer and I desisted but he was getting more strong in saying but it is microsoft and your computer is in danger, etc etc.
He phoned me twice.
I hung up the both times but many people may not and their computer is hacked. Especially if they do online banking as many do nowadays.
I live in Spain and we get these calls all the time, we can get several a day for a few days then we get a couple of months off, then the same thing again. It is a pain. I just tell them I don't have a computer and they hang up on me!
If I had the time I would have a bit of fun with them… pretend to follow their instructions and then when they ask me what I can see on the screen, go into a reverie describing meadows of flowers and detailing daisies, cornflowers(such a beautiful blue) and generally getting the scammer more and more frustrated until they hang up! In the meantime the call will have cost them money with no return!😂I saw another good one on YouTube some time back with a young(ish) Uber driver pretending to be his 80 year old father and constantly interrupting the caller with compliments on her way of speaking and being really quite lovely but not letting her get a word in edgewise! Very funny!🤣
I love thesr calls, as it cheers me up messing with them!
What Windows do you have? Glass
Hello, I am from Microsoft. Oh so am I, which office are you in?
Your computer is sending out virus. Yes, I know, I write them, and am sending you one right now.
The best one I ever did was just after I had broken a plate. I got the usual script, and then said "Oh no, I cannot have my computer doing damage to the internet, and picked up a bit of plate and broke it by dropping it. "There, I said, I have smashed the computer!" There was a long silence and he rang off. I giggled for hours!
I have loads of lovely Indians phoning me (regarding Microsoft and my Amazon account etc.) - as I have deliberately come OFF the Telephone Preference Service. I am a Christian and long to tell people of my wonderful Saviour Jesus. I begin by asking them to stay on the line for a few minutes before they put the phone down. I then (before telling them I know it is a scam) tell them that I am not condemning them. I explain that I too did many awful things before Jesus saved me (including being an alcoholic and stealing) and that Jesus understands that they may need the money - but that He can help them to stop and find them a job. He transformed my life and can do the same for them. They actually listen and some ask me to pray for them - as they do not want to do such work but are very poor. Many lovely Hindus repeatedly phone to hear again about Jesus and how He can also change their sinful lives. This has been a valuable and joyful way to spend my time during this pandemic - and I pray some may come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This could also be good news (gospel) for some dear fellow thyroid sufferer. Other than the helpful people on this excellent forum, there is also Someone who cares about you and can help. He managed to get me to see an endocrinologist - when the doctor's refused to. God bless you all.
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