SCAM? Phone call from "Microsoft Windows Repair Support, Albany"

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  1. Posts : 14
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit
       #1

    SCAM? Phone call from "Microsoft Windows Repair Support, Albany"


    While experiencing issues with BSOD and inability to repair Windows, the Repair Tool pop-up when it discovers it can't fix the issue asks if I want to report this to Microsoft. I chose SEND, and continued banging my head against the desk.

    Couple of days into this foray and I get a call saying they were "Microsoft Windows Repair Support, Albany". I asked them to confirm if they were Microsoft and was it in response to my sent reports, to which they said YES. The tech then proceeded to have me log into TeamViewer and I allowed remote access.

    He kept asking how old my computer was, to which I replied 4 or 5 years, but that it didn't matter, it was the HDD that had corrupted Win7 boot and that HDD is only a few days old. He suggested that I consider buying a new computer and about then another tech took over. Again, wanted to know how old my computer was and what brand. I told him I built it myself using Intel mobo, etc. and had no problems until I tried to restore a backup I made recently and that the HDD was less than a week old. He proceeded to tell me my system was full of virus programs and that my email was highjacked, but for a small one-time fee he would fix it. I hung up, closed the TeamViewer connection, and promptly changed my email password.

    I googled Microsoft Windows Repair Support, Albany and found that Microsoft had implemented a program of paid support code named Albany a few years back. I am convinced these people that called me were scammers, but can anyone give me some feedback?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6,879
    Win 7 Ultimate x64
       #2

    Yes they were. Microsoft will never ever call you if you are having a problem.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #3

    I've gotten two of those calls, one just yesterday. Both times, I told them quite specifically what I thought of them.
      My Computer

  4.    #4

    Do you have a System Restore point before the unknown agent remotely connected?

    Post up your data to our BSOD forum for help from the actual top experts in the field: Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Posting Instructions - Windows 7 Forums.

    Then while you wait start working through the Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7.
    Last edited by gregrocker; 26 Sep 2013 at 21:30.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2,497
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
       #5

    I have received numerous such calls. Undoubtedly a scam. The caller didn't even know you had a computer, this just being a reasonable guess. The fact that you were having problems made it more believable.

    Microsoft or any authorized representatives will never make cold calls. The only time they might call is with an ongoing problem where you initiated the contact by calling them. When you sent the error report to Microsoft this did not include personal information like a name, phone number or address.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 14
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    LMiller7 said:
    I have received numerous such calls. Undoubtedly a scam. The caller didn't even know you had a computer, this just being a reasonable guess. The fact that you were having problems made it more believable.

    Microsoft or any authorized representatives will never make cold calls. The only time they might call is with an ongoing problem where you initiated the contact by calling them. When you sent the error report to Microsoft this did not include personal information like a name, phone number or address.
    Well, that's hard to believe.... I don't remember how many times Microsoft has demanded my name, address, phone number and email just for buying their product(s). They probably know how many children I have and the age of my cars. Microsoft=Big Brother

    Also, it is a setup when their software asks if you want to report your issue. One would expect that they would take a reasonable effort to help you sort things out. I did have an issue with Windows Update a number of years ago that I emailed them about and Microsoft called me and helped me fix it.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 10,485
    W7 Pro SP1 64bit
       #7

    I can assure you that Microsoft is never going to use (and pay for) TeamViewer.

    MS has their own remote control tools.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 14
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    UsernameIssues said:
    I can assure you that Microsoft is never going to use (and pay for) TeamViewer.

    MS has their own remote control tools.
    That was the first thought that crossed my mind.... but things change over the years, so I let it go. I thought they outsourced the support. Should have been my first red flag and stopped right there. Now I realize that they just happened to pick me when I was actually experiencing trouble. They didn't know about my issues but certainly tried to take advantage of it. My current issues played into their hand.... they just kept making too many stupid comments about my system... once I realized it was a scam, I got rid of them. Just hope they didn't infect my system. I did a fairly extensive scan post-scam and see nothing.
      My Computer

  9.    #9

    Did you System Restore to before the remote session, just to be sure?

    What exactly are the remaining performance issues?
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 7,781
    Win 7 32 Home Premium, Win 7 64 Pro, Win 8.1, Win 10
       #10

    Might be wise to roll back to a restore point (2 back if you want to be safer) before you got this call. You have no idea what this person may have injected into your system. Also, if you had any personal information on there (credit cards, passwords, etc.) those may have been compromised also.

    After you do the restore, be sure to do a full system scan with your AV to be sure you don't have anything hidden on the system.
      My Computer


 
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