Windows 7: advice on strange phone call

chenchen · 07 Nov 2013

That call was indeed an obvious scam. Good thing you hung up. The caller was not able to do anything with your computer. Be aware that they gain access only with the use of a computer-sharing tool such as Teamviewer and if you downloaded it on your PC.

And that strange file you found on your dekstop, you probably got that from somewhere else. If your not familiar about what the file was for, do not delete it. Refer the issue to a local technician instead so you get the most accurate response.

chenchen · 07 Nov 2013

The next time you get a call like that, hang up and report it to Callercenter.com to share a warning.

PeaB4YouGo · 08 Nov 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by chenchen

Refer the issue to a local technician instead so you get the most accurate response.

Gee, don't I feel useless.

Lady Fitzgerald · 08 Nov 2013

I another one of those calls today. I just kept saying, "I don't have a computer. Why are you calling me?" until the guy with the Indian accent on the other end finally hung up. Methinks the next time I get one of those calls, I'll ask the little jerk on the other end why M$ is interested in my Mac. It's kind of fun to jerk the jerks around.

drmax · 08 Nov 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by PeaB4YouGo

In the meantime, do NOT delete or change the desktop.ini file on your desktop!! I think you've managed to "view hidden files" in Windows Explorer. If you applied that setting to all folders, those .ini files show up on your desktop. They've always been part of your desktop, but they were hidden in explorer.

u r correct. I "undid" that....thank you

drmax · 08 Nov 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

I another one of those calls today. I just kept saying, "I don't have a computer. Why are you calling me?" until the guy with the Indian accent on the other end finally hung up. Methinks the next time I get one of those calls, I'll ask the little jerk on the other end why M$ is interested in my Mac. It's kind of fun to jerk the jerks around.

dorks. but older folks may fall for it. spread the warning as I did

PeaB4YouGo · 09 Nov 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

I another one of those calls today. I just kept saying, "I don't have a computer. Why are you calling me?" until the guy with the Indian accent on the other end finally hung up. Methinks the next time I get one of those calls, I'll ask the little jerk on the other end why M$ is interested in my Mac. It's kind of fun to jerk the jerks around.

There's never a "like" button around when you want one.

robinb9 · 10 Nov 2013

rule of thumb: tell them you do not own a computer and do not plan to get one
You will be removed from their list and hopefully they will not call you again

Lady Fitzgerald · 10 Nov 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by robinb9

rule of thumb: tell them you do not own a computer and do not plan to get one
You will be removed from their list and hopefully they will not call you again

Unfortunately, these beings of questionable parentage impersonating humans do not call from a list; they use autodialers that just call all possible phone number permutations.