Interesting phone call

[strollin]

I got a call today from a gentleman claiming he was from Windows Technical support and that he had some reports that my computer was having problems.

This seemed like the same scam call I've had in the past so I gave him my standard answer which is to ask which machine he was talking about since I have about a dozen. He then rattled off a machine id number and also my name and address. He claimed I had submitted some error reports on Sept 9th & 10th and that they had some updates they were trying to send me as a result but my computer was refusing them. He never got around to asking me to give him access to my computer but I couldn't faze the guy. Typically, when I start asking questions these scammers simply hang up. He seemed very legit even though I knew better. I told him I didn't believe he was from MS at which he countered that he was not from MS but his company was contracted to by MS and error reports were routed to them. I finally just told him I wasn't interested in whatever he called me about and we said goodbye.

These scammers seem to have gotten pretty sophisticated to where they can answer questions intelligently with reasonable answers. I'm sure someone less knowledgeable than me would have easily fallen for his drivel. The one thing that sticks in my craw is, How did he have my name and address? I guess he could have gotten it off the web somewhere but it still bugs me.

 

[ThrashZone]

Just working their way through the phone book seeing if they can get lucky/ typical lowlife.
Land line or Cell phone ?

 

[beauparc]

Yep, got the same sort of call today....

Indian sounding lady, "Hello, I work for windows"

Me, "Double or single glazed?"

"What?"

"What windows are you talking about"

"I work for computer windows"

"Oh, you mean Apple computers"

"Yes"

"OK, I am ready to start laughing"

"Why?"

"Because you are going to tell me that I have a virus, when I know I don't"

Silence - click.

Definitely the most incompetent one yet and obviously reading from a script.

 

[robinb9]

As said in windows eight forums tell them you own an ipad only, no computer, they will not call you again

 

[UsernameIssues]

.......How did he have my name and address? I guess he could have gotten it off the web somewhere but it still bugs me.

If you are listed on this website...
Free People Search Engine | ZabaSearch
...then your public records are still public. Some people (law enforcement, politicians, celebrities...) get a court order to seal their "public" records.

My guess is that companies can buy a database compiled from public records.

 

[Layback Bear]

Where I live the radio stations out of Cleveland WTAM have been warning that this phone call from Microsoft is a scam and that Microsoft never does such calls. The radio stations covering 32 states and part of Canada hopefully has stopped a lot of the damage this scam will do.

 

[Ranger4]

Those scammers have been active here in Australia for the past 2 or 3 years & I am sure they have caught a lot of people. I ask how could they possibly know I have a virus or similar as my computer is no longer connected to the internet. That usually ends the call. But they are persistent & keep phoning every few months.

 

[Joan Archer]

I get a few of them as well, some times I just string them along but say I know there are errors it's the nature of Windows if I don't feel like playing I just tell them I have a Mac, the phone gets puts down very quickly.

 

[Layback Bear]

Good one Joan. You used the Mac Attack.

 

[PeaB4YouGo]

I like to wait until they are ready to "Fix my problem" then get into a long discussion about whether I'll still be able to use MS Bob, and Clippy, because my Win98 machine hasn't worked right since they stopped updating Clippy, and Bob is just plain funny.