Cold Call from Novatel

[Guppydrvr]

I received a call from a company called NOVATEL. They had me open my computer to a page called "Event Viewer". Under "run" I typed in eventvwr. Once that page opened they had me go to windows logs>system.

There were 56,000 plus events. There were a lot of errors noted as I scrolled down. About this time it seemed as if they were trying to sell me something. I got uncomfortable and said goodbye.

Has anybody had a call form them. Their number is 210-249-0540

 

[Ztruker]

100% scammer. Event Viewer always has errors recorded, that's normal.

You did the right thing by saying goodbye.

 

[Ranger4]

It sounds like one of those bogus calls. There have been a number of this type of call, some claiming to be from Windows, claiming that there are heaps of problems with your computer. I have been receiving calls like this for quite a few years. I generally abuse them, telling them they are shonky, but I still get the damned calls.
I got one yesterday claiming to be from the Australian Government & they wanted to refund an amount of $7,500 to me. I knew immediately this was bogus. The Government are not going to phone me, they would write to me. Also the voice was probably Indian or Filipino & also the voice sounded like all the previous calls I have had.
You certainly did the right thing in hanging up on them.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Novatel is a legitimate company. However, that wasn't who you received the call from. It was some spammer claiming to be Novatel and spoofing their telephone number on caller ID. The real Novatel will never cold call you about a problem on your computer. Hopefully, you didn't give the b@st@rd any personal information before you cut off the call.

 

[Guppydrvr]

Novatel is a legitimate company. However, that wasn't who you received the call from. It was some spammer claiming to be Novatel and spoofing their telephone number on caller ID. The real Novatel will never cold call you about a problem on your computer. Hopefully, you didn't give the b@st@rd any personal information before you cut off the call.

Thanks all!! No personal info at all.

 

[lffoar]

Common occurrence here in Oz unfortunately. I know of people who have been stung and led up the garden path, some naively losing money on the way.
Hey Fitzy, such language...tch tch

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I was actually being polite.

 

[essenbe]

I've received a dozen of those calls mostly from people claiming to be from Microsoft. Microsoft will never call you and neither will Novatel. These are scam calls and are quite common. There is a thread on here about all the people who receive them. I usually keep them on the phone as long as possible and try my best to aggravate them. Maybe they'll take my name off their list. It hasn't happened yet. But, I keep trying.

 

[Nigsy]

Definitely a scam.
I had a call from 'Microsoft' a while ago....strange because I run OpenSUSE as my main OS.
Without letting on the whole SUSE OS thing I managed to keep them on the phone for 20 minutes as we first battled to use MS remote connect then battled to translate where to go in Windows against what I was seeing on the screen following his directions as MS remote was obviously corrupted(His words, not mine)
Eventually we found ourself in a folder that contained some Linux Package files and the guy on the line declared that the .rpm extensions where all viruses and that he needed remote access to clear them???? when I told him that the extension was for redhat package manager he just hung up...how rude!

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

if you bother with them at all just say

"Due to the high volume of calls all of our operators are currently busy -- one of our operators will connect you when available" and start playing some rap music or something horrible. -- Go away and have a beer, a glass of whisky, coffee etc.

(You can also add if you want -- .."All of our calls are monitored for training purposes and any from non genuine organisations will be forwarded to the Police").

@Nigsy - I run opensuse 13.1 too with W8.1 / XP / W7 as VM's on the OPENSUSE Host. Never a problem with it. Very stable. --Tried a few other distros but OPENSUSE suits me for a WORKING desktop than just testing etc.

I also have a totally bootable OPENSUSE system from an external HDD version too with the same VM's on it so portable OPENSUSE and WINDOWS VM's -- make it though NON UEFI. Running 13.1 KDE desktop.

http://www.eightforums.com/installa...make-portable-windows-system-any-version.html
).

Cheers
jimbo