Guys Beware of this Scam
 

Earlier this year I got a call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft. They said that my Computer is sending them a signal of malfunctioning. I told the guy there was nothing wrong with my computer, and if there was I would know about it.

Well today I got another call. Same thing except I could barely understand this one. The first guy that called earlier this year had that Jamaican Accent, this one sounded like your average stereotypical India technician that you see Foamy The Squirrel make fun of.

He gave me a run around.
"Do you run windows?"
"Yes"
"it is malfunctioning ma'am, let me remote access and show you whats wrong with it."
"There's nothing wrong with my PC"
"Just let me show you"
-hangs up on the dude-

If there were something wrong with my PC I'd know about it. That and Microsoft doesn't contact you. And even if there was something wrong with my PC, I wouldn't allow some 'remote access.' I saw the episode of Criminal Minds where someone put spyware on the peoples PC after he gain remote access and fixed their pc. After he fixed it, he used the webcams and watched them. He then went on a killing spree. Yeaa.. that and the fact remote access could get them access to personal information, and passwords.

Also, After this happening a second time, I google stuff.

http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/microsoft.asp

This scam has been happening since 2009.

I figured I'd post here, warning everyone about it and also.. rant about them pissing me off.

So people who aren't that tech savvy, if someone calls you claiming to be from microsoft. Hang up on them. Don't listen to them.

I love how they call here. I think that even if Microsoft were to contact me....I bet Microsoft would pop up in the caller ID.

We mess with them sometimes, and sometimes say we don't have computers or try to get them to tell us how many of our computers run on Windows.

Scary thing is, the first time they called, I recently had called Microsoft.

Or maybe it's just funny XD

xD Next time they call you say you don't have any Computers that run any kind of window software. That you Have a Mac that runs Linux or something. hehe x3 I think I'm gonna do that.

Ask them what version of Windows is showing the error, and THEN tell them you own a Mac. lol

They did that here, I asked which computer. (We have 5 laptops a desktop and a tablet) They stated our main computer the desktop, and I laughter before confirming that it would be sending an error message since it was over 7 years old and was in the middle of getting scrapped. They then tried to reel it back saying that it was the Gateway in our home, which is my mom's old laptop also taken apart currently. After stating that unless they had a better scam the rest of the house was quiet happy and safe in their Macs.

When they say 'do you run windows?' it's the most fun to say the standard lame-o 'I open and close windows but I don't run them.' and when they say 'I mean your computer' replying with 'Computer? Oh you mean my calculator?'
:p-kittysmile:

I just got a call similar to this just a few days ago. At least I think that's what it was because all I could make out was "malfunction". The guy has a very heavy accent and I have trouble hearing words clearly over the phone. The moment I hear the word, "Pfft. Right. I probably know more about my computer more than you, thank you very much" and hang up (was a bit irritated due to having to fix my computer all night). xP

Thank you for confirming this! <3

Oh, I get these occasionally, I've gotten hem for a couple years now. XD I told them off one time because I was just not i the mood. I turned around and said to them "Look, my dad works for the government as a computer scientist, if there was something wrong with my computer he would know. Bye. -click-" XD Which is completely true, that's what my dad does for a living, and when they call lately I tell them that message is impossible because my computer hasn't been on for three months, which is actually the case when they call because I'm using my dad's computer. XD Another to mention with this though is that if they actually were from Microsoft they wouldn't be asking if you have a laptop or desk top because when you register the programs from Microsoft they can track the computers number thing (kind of like a tracking number for them but I don't remember what its called but sites can block accesses from specific computers using that number), so if they ask you what kind of computer you have its a total hoax.

Yeah, my grandparents just had this happen. Given, my grandmother (a good bit naive here) was trying to use a scam site to buy presents...

It's a shame that people out so much effort into these sorts of scams. I haven't run into this one yet, but I figure it's probably only a matter of time, so thanks for the heads up.

I still get calls from "Cardmember Services" to report "There's something wrong with your credit card." You can tell it's a scam because they don't have any of the information they would have if it were a genuine calls, such as your actual name, or how about whether it's a Visa or American Express.

My school sold my personal information to a scam/advertising company once, minus my name. <.<

(Not meaning to get off track)

Actually, that's how a lot of people get their numbers passed out to scams and get scam calls to begin with, that and some stores that have reward/membership cards do that as well. Now I don't know if these stores actually do this or not but these stores are the kind I'm talking about: Acme, Save a Lot, Big Lots, Kmart and other such stores. Which ones exactly I couldn't say.

I'd also like to add that there's been a scam going around for the Diabllo III game as well. You'll get an email from a Yahoo email (like that's an actual place to send private information! x'D ) saying that you're illegally selling your account for the game and to verify if its actually your account you click on the link and sign in. With that they are trying to steal your account log in so that they can sell your account. Something like that would have to come directly from the company that created the game so it should have the company's name in it. In this case it should have 'blizzard' in the sender's address since that's the company that created the game series and currently owns it as well.

xD I've gotten emails from people claiming to be from Blizzard!

It was for World of Warcraft. I sat here laughing at it because I never made an account for WoW and I refuse to ever make one cause I don't like the game graphics. xD

I was perplexed at first because I didn't have an account (even though I want to play it) but then I saw the email address and started laughing. XD I did check with a friend though to make sure since they actually do have an account. XD

scammers can be so stupid at times. but some times they get you really good.

Yeah, my mom sometimes gets them for her credit card and my dad freaks out on her if she even starts looking at the stuff because she barely knows how to use a computer. x'D

Yep, That's also the reason why those calls are probably coming up more often as well.

I just got a call from 999-999-1003 saying they are from Microsoft and that they received a report via email saying there is a problem with my computer. I told them I've never had a problem and as I was about to say something else they hung up on me. These people are SCAMMERS! I was actually about to tell them off for calling me by rubbing it in their face I know that they are scammers, too bad they hung up before I could say anything more. >_>;

Bolded and enlarged important parts of the info so that people can see it easily.

Huh. Curious. That's actually an impossible phone number...

Edit: Well... it might not be impossible if it's a Mexican phone number, but there ought to be a +52 country code on the beginning if that's the case. +1 is US and Canada and neither country uses 999.

The person had an Indian accent as far as I can tell, I googled the number to try and figure out what the number is for but I don't know how to do that, my brother does. So all I got were people posting saying they got this call and stuff. x'D I seriously want to trace this number but if they are smart they a probably bouncing the signal around and stuff to throw off tracers. >>;

The more you learn from Criminal Minds. But all jokes aside, people should really be careful. And you're right. Why would anyone receive a random call from Microsoft like that?

Not to mention the area code for it is completely wrong too.

No one would receive a call from Microsoft period. If you look on their website, last I check, they state they will NEVER call you. NEVER!

So if they say they're Microsoft or Windows Tech support....hang up and go about your day worry free.

I never actually check their website, but yeah, companies don't call for things like that, they wait for you to call them since they are usually over loaded with tech support calls anyways. :3

The exception, of course, being if you explicitly requested a call -- it's cheaper for them to take your number with an automated system and call you when they have an open slot than to have you using up a phone line for what could be hours. But then they won't be opening with telling you that you need help; they'll be asking what kind of help you need.

Exactly. And I got another bogus call today from 1-385-0642 say that my master card has been locked and to enter my pin to do some kind of confirmation thing and to get it unlocked. Though I knew it was bogus because I don't have a master card (only card I have is my credit/debit for my bank and that's a visa) and not to mention that the 'computer voice' as I like to call them also had this weird clicking sound in the background of the recording. So I got annoyed with that and knew that wasn't legit because otherwise that clicking wouldn't be there. ^^;

This, is exactly why I answer phone calls of unknown origin with extremely weird,akwards, or just plain creepy things, if its my freinds they would know well, lets face it l my freinds are used to my insanity by now, anyways, I had this problem once and when I first answered, my response was, "Topeka county morgue you killem we chillem" and I paused to listen for about 20 seconds and then they began their little scam to which I responded, "That's probably because I stuffed my ex girlfriends kidney in the hard drive" and yeah, they hung up. Cx