A new variation on the "Windows tech support" phone call scam?

Someone I know locally received an odd phone call from "tech support" with an automated message, stating they would be charged $200 to fix their PC by automatic debit and they would have to call a given phone number for further details. As they have no existing accounts with any PC service business, the caller did not use any names or other identifying info- either their personal or company name, or naming the person they were calling- and their only financial purchasing info is restricted to local utility companies, Paypal and Amazon(I had them change passwords regardless), they and I determined this has to be the phone scam but it seems to be playing out differently than the usual ones. I would assume that they intend people to call in to cancel this scheduled charge but have to give their credit or debit card into to "verify" it. Unfortunately I couldn't find anything online about this variation.

And while I know people here would be wise enough to not fall for these things but many people still are on a daily basis, as these scams easily target less tech-savvy people, especially the elderly, so it would be worth informing people about this take on the scam.

Hi Diosoth,

Thanks for bringing this to the forum members attention!
There are unfortunately [as you say] less PC literate users that might fall into this scam.
If there was a problem, only users with an actual MS account would be notified via a genuine email anyway!

I keep getting these because my answering machine picks them up when I'm out, which signals them to keep calling. My variation says my tech support subscription is about to expire.

When I used to get the real human "from Microsoft," I told them I don't have a computer, and they haven't called back. That worked very well, as my goal is always to make them stop interrupting me. I work online from home.

I also get a few Chinese ones, or maybe they're all the same.

Verizon catches many of these, and it says "SPAM?" on the cordless phone's little screen. I've read that the telco's are all working on solutions

The way that these "Call this number to Cancel" type scam often work is that the phone line given is a "Pay Line" and is set up at some exorbitant rate - even worse than the "legitimate" ones

There was one different spin on the technique used in the UK a few years ago, a lady dressed smartly to look like a typical business woman would knock on the front door in apparent distress saying that her Mobile / Cell Phone was not working and she was running late and could she make a call from the house phone to make sure that her children were picked up from school or similar. She would even offer a few pounds to cover the call often the housholder was elderly or otherwise vulnerable to this approach, but if they said yes they had a bill from their own telecoms company charged at £20 per Minute or more - the scammer had set up the line they called so they received the majority of the money.

This system can also work with an input of a Website so never ring any number to check

Another thing that I have noticed on UK TV recently is that companies are making statements about their products as to quality or awards, and then providing a special email address to contact to verify the info rather than a Web address - what is of course actually happening is they are harvesting the potential customers personal email for future marketing

I've had a couple of calls, one of which said my Social Security number has been "suspend" (not suspended) and to press 1 for more information (my answering machine picked it up). Another one my answering machine picked up said my Social Security number had been suspended, a warrant had been issued for my arrest, and to press 1 for more information.

So, if I completely disappear from here, would someone please come out here to bail me out?

Suspending a SSN? Not likely but it's one of those things I can see a lot of people falling for, as they wouldn't know that. Also calling you about a warrant- as I understand US police don't operate that way.

Letting a stranger in your home is another BAD idea- they might be casing your house to rob it later, but people feel a need to help others in need so it's another one easy to pull. At most you should tell them to stay outside and make all calls yourself to be safe if you must help an unknown stranger.

The "charge per minute" scam sounds likely in this case though- they didn't call the number, I'll warn them though not to do so in the future if they get another.

Diosoth said:

Suspending a SSN? Not likely but it's one of those things I can see a lot of people falling for, as they wouldn't know that. Also calling you about a warrant- as I understand US police don't operate that way...

I had no doubt that the calls I got about my SSN were bogus. I was being facetious about possibly needing to be bailed out of jail

A friend has recommended Nomorobo, which blocks the call, so your answering machine won't pick it up.

For a previous employer I had to work with real Microsoft techs. Support was always achieved the same way. Call a special number, give our contact information and method of payment (in our case an account number), description of our issue with the severity, and we get a case/ticket number. Then the tech would call. If you don't have a ticket number then your caller is not from Microsoft.