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.
Samsung 128GB 840 Pro SSD (1),
Samsung 4TB 850 EVO SSDs (4)
Samsung 4TB 850 EVO SSDs (16) external backup drives used in 2.5" hot swap bays in the computer.
PSU
Corsair HX750w
Case
Antec Two Hundred v2 (modified)
Cooling
Cooler Master GeminII S524 120mm (fan replaced with a 140mm)
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.
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.
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
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.
My Computer
At a glance
Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1Intel i5-2550K, Differing ~4.4-4.8GHz No buil...16GB G.Skill Sniper 1866MHz @ 2133MHz 2x8GBASUS GTX650TIB-DC2OC-2GD5, (650TI Boost)
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Built Desktop By DataTech
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1
CPU
Intel i5-2550K, Differing ~4.4-4.8GHz No built in GPU
Motherboard
ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3
Memory
16GB G.Skill Sniper 1866MHz @ 2133MHz 2x8GB
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS GTX650TIB-DC2OC-2GD5, (650TI Boost)
Sound Card
Onboard Realtek 5-1
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung P2570HD
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD for OS, 500GB Seagate Constellation (Enterprise drive) for Data
PSU
Corsair HX650W
Case
Inwin Dragon Rider
Cooling
Hyper 212 EVO w/two Noctua fans, push-pull, @1300 RPM
Keyboard
E-Z Eyes, bright yellow keys with large characters
Mouse
steelseries SENSEI Laser Pro Gaming
Internet Speed
48-51Mbs Mbs down, 11 Mbs up Xfinity Cable
Antivirus
Norton Internet Security 2013
Browser
IE 10, Opera, Pale Moon if needed
Other Info
4 case fans, LG BluRay-RE, ASUS DVD-RW, Mr. Fusion power supply, 1.21 gigawatts.
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.......
I blew it yesterday. I got a call from an obviously spoofed caller ID (like, who has 000-000-000 for a phone number?) that someone with an Indian accent asking for Mr. (last name). I just said, "There is no Mr. (last name) here." The caller abruptly hung up. Then I realized I had blown a great straight line to play off of. I should have started sounding like I was crying because my husband had just died the day before and hammed that premise up to the hilt. Darn!
Samsung 128GB 840 Pro SSD (1),
Samsung 4TB 850 EVO SSDs (4)
Samsung 4TB 850 EVO SSDs (16) external backup drives used in 2.5" hot swap bays in the computer.
PSU
Corsair HX750w
Case
Antec Two Hundred v2 (modified)
Cooling
Cooler Master GeminII S524 120mm (fan replaced with a 140mm)
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.
What i meant was that the volume of calls has increased. I had 2 or three a few years ago, and seeing these posts just reminded me of the fun i had with them. I mean 20 minutes to figure out that the toolbar is docked to the left of the screen?!
But yes MS should do some public announcements, the same can be said for other larger corporations as well. I mean i still get PPI Calls, but they just aren't the same anymore. Although having worked on the phones, i don't think they appreciate being told to move the Mic away from their mouths so i can understand them better.
Thanks for the head up! This scam's been around for a while now and reports about it have gone viral online. If I get a call like that, I'd slam the phone back down really hard so it breaks the scammer's ear drums!
By the way, I read similar complaints posted at Report Phone Number to CallerCenter.com that included the actual phone numbers the scammers used. There were several phne numbers, located in different states. Can the authorities go after them? Surely, they can track owners through phone numbers.
How come I never get a call like this. That would be more fun than the calls from the carpet cleaner companies.
Btw: I did not think her English was too bad. That's how 1 billion Indians speak. Better than some dialects from GB. I had more difficulties there - especially in Ulster.
My Computer
At a glance
Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8from 1.6GHz Duo to i7
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba - 4 laptops and 2 desktops
