Windows 7: Phone scammers call the wrong guy, get mad and trash PC

A Guy · 24 Apr 2013

Quote:

Have you ever received a call from someone with a heavy Indian accent from Microsoft saying your computer had errors or viruses? The purpose of these calls is to get an easy $299 (or whatever amount they choose) by scaring you into thinking there’s something really wrong with your computer and that they can fix it for you.

These telephony scams have been going on for many years and scammers keep robbing innocent people sadly because their success ratio is still worth their time and effort. It happens that I got ‘the call’ while minding my own business on a regular work day. I immediately recognized what this was all about and decided to play the game to see how far this would go.

Source

A Guy

Lady Fitzgerald · 25 Apr 2013

The accent was too heavy for me to understand most of the time so I gave up five minutes in. Sorry.

A Guy · 25 Apr 2013

It's 26 minutes, I listened to about 1, lol. A Guy

bigseb · 25 Apr 2013

I have had 2 of these. Time wasters, nothing more.

retread · 26 Sep 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by A Guy

Quote:

Have you ever received a call from someone with a heavy Indian accent from Microsoft saying your computer had errors or viruses? The purpose of these calls is to get an easy $299 (or whatever amount they choose) by scaring you into thinking there’s something really wrong with your computer and that they can fix it for you.

These telephony scams have been going on for many years and scammers keep robbing innocent people sadly because their success ratio is still worth their time and effort. It happens that I got ‘the call’ while minding my own business on a regular work day. I immediately recognized what this was all about and decided to play the game to see how far this would go.

Source

A Guy

Many thanks for this post! I just got one of these myself, and they used the same script.... I allowed them access to my computer, and since they they told me they were Microsoft Windows Repair Albany, I began a google search for that item right in front of them.... the guy immediately took control and said here is where you need to look and went to W3C Validation website and said "see... this confirms our validity." RED FLAG .... Then began the quest to pull up msconfig and note how many services were stopped.... RED FLAG.... then the error log (of course I had a lot - I was drowning in BSODs), but he said that proved my computer was full of viruses but for a small, one-time fee he could fix it for me..... ENOUGH. I hung up/disconnected from internet, and immediately changed the password on my email account. I can't believe I let this guy scam me into allowing internet access to my PC. I thought I was smarter than that.... oh well.

The point is that they are good at what they do.... just like pickpockets and other felons. This post is helpful mainly because it is a perfect capture on their game.

Layback Bear · 26 Sep 2013

I don't know what kind of English is being uses but it's not one I can understand.

Solarstarshines · 26 Sep 2013

Damn they tried that on me too but I messed around and played with them as I know none of my PC's were doing this they ended up calling a few more times and giving up

Windows Sniper · 13 Dec 2013

I take it they're doing it again?

I really want some Audio recordings from them

Britton30 · 13 Dec 2013

It has never stopped Tom, more ratbags are seeing how easy it is to steal.

I didn't understand her either. I talked to a real tech like that once (I had called) who had a thick accent so I asked for someone who spoke English. She arrogantly informed me that she was "speaking perfect English..."

Instead of trying to push people to Win 8 and Surface MS should embark on a campaign that would actually be useful. Do as most banks do and tell you they will never call you or ask for a password or the like.

indianacarnie · 13 Dec 2013

My stepmother got one of these calls last winter. Luckily,VERY luckily because she's extremely naive about computers/internet, I was there and as soon as she heard "computer" she handed me the phone. I just laughed at the caller and hung up. Had JUST cleaned her old xp machine so knew there was nothing wrong or in it. Gave her a little advice/lecture about bad people on line. Sad to say, if I hadn't been there she would have done whatever this jerk had asked. Think she'll be better now, but.......