I just had a phone call from someone who claimed he was calling from Microsoft. He said that my computer was sending serious error messages to them. The man had an accent and was a little hard to understand at first, so I kept saying 'pardon'? Finally I realized that he was talking about my 'windows computer' and that it was 'sending error messages to Microsoft.' He said my computer would crash and he would help me fix it...all I had to do was download a program which he would help me do. It's a good thing I am very suspicious by nature...I asked him if he thought I was an idiot...he said 'no Maam, I just want to fix your computer'. I told him nice try and don't call back and then hung up on him. After doing some research, I discovered that these people are making these calls to people all over the world! Here is a link I found about it.http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/english/documents/anti-virus_press release.pdf The man knew my name, which made it very creepy. DO NOT GIVE ANYONE ACCESS TO YOUR COMPUTER!
And thousands of people will fall for that scam and lose every penny they have if they have banking information on the computer. Good thing you are suspicious, there are many of these scams going around and newer ones every day. At some point your name and phone number has been sold by a company that you did business with or has been hacked to get that info. They don't necessarily know that you use Windows or even have a computer, but the odds of both are in their favor. Yep, even if the repair man is legitimate I would never give anyone control of my computer. Well, except the computer guy I have been married to for almost 32 years
Netty we had the exact same call here. They had my Dad's name and also my brother's name I believe. Luckily I was around when they got the call and being non-technical my Dad passed the phone along to me. I instantly knew it was a scam and told him no thanks. I'd love to know the source of their phone number database. Probably using the phonebook.
I had repeated calls like this for a while Netty. I was immediatly suspicious and asked them for their number so that I could ring them back. They hung up. After that as soon as I heard from them I simply put the 'phone down on them.
Interesting scam, when ever there is a perceived weakness, there is usually someone trying to exploit it. The best defense is never give out info to anyone who calls. Jerry
Last year got scam call. Said Todd my oldest Son needed $$$. to call this 800-number. I googled it-not toll free like most 800 numbers. Cost $300+
I'm glad you're suspicious, and rightly so it seems. I god a text message informing me I had won 1,7 million GB pounds, and to visit a web page to claim my prize. Yeah, right. I'm Norwegian, we're rather gullible but not that gullible. I am very glad we've got sites like Hoax Slayer that issue warnings on scams.
Lately stores want my SS number for reward $$$. Said no way.At Sears reward $$$ on dryer and window AC amounted to $1.20 . Not worth the risk.
I had the exact same thing happen to me...he sounded so professional and helpful, didn't he. It has to be a scam to get at banking information, etc. I don't do banking but I do have thousands of pictures on my computer so I doubt if they would of found anything usefull.
Wow that was good thinking. Thank you for the heads up on this type of crap that people fall for everyday. Yes it must have been rather scary for him to know your name.
There are lots of scammers out there and the best practice is not to talk to strangers even though they say they are your bankers or even your grocers! I get lots of call about my banking and credit card which I do not entertain at all. I'll always tell them I'll deal with them personally the next time I visit them!!! They will always hang up when I ask for their name.
You did well! I hardly believe most of the news on the TV, so what about a poor guy trying to rob me over the phone? Sorry, mister, not happening.
I would love for one of these scammers to call on the phone to tell me that my computer is sending out error messages, just to hear their response when I say, "I don't have a computer and no need for internet, so how could my non existent computer be sending you messages?" I heard that little story from a fella at another forum and it's true! His elderly mother had received the call and she doesn't have a computer nor internet. I know it is wrong to lie, though what the scammers are doing is even more wrong. I just want to hear their response....if any. I'm sure at the other end of the phone line I would only hear silence after a click. Another member of that same forum had posted that he received such a call and he told them he had a Mac (which he does) and the caller hung up.
We get scam calls sometimes and I think the best thing to do is to scream and drop the phone on the floor. But nobody wants me to do that so I just hang up and call whoever they said they were and then ask them about it.
