Strange phone call about my computer?

[p5200]

I just received a phone call from a man telling me my pc is at risk and wanted me to get in front of it I have no idea who he was but, he seemed to know my name and address and told me people might even be using my internet but, I'm not running anything wireless? Anyone else get such a call? I have Avast premier use free malewarebytes program and the free superantispyware program. Thanks!

 

[Barman58]

It's a scam - if you have any details of the caller report it to local law enforcement

 

[p5200]

It's a scam - if you have any details of the caller report it to local law enforcement

Yeah, I'm going to be getting caller id on my phone I wish I hadn't of just flipped my lid and asked who he was and how did he get my name and address and phone#. but, stupid me I just blew up and told him not to call back that, was the second time he called right back after I hung up on him.

 

[Dokie]

It's a scam - if you have any details of the caller report it to local law enforcement

Hi Nigel! I can tell you from experience that reporting the caller to the local law enforcement will go no where;even when you have caller ID, and give them the phone number. I have even taken the time to write to politicians and received nothing back. Just hang up. Not worth the trouble reporting them. At least not in Oklahoma.

 

[Jacee]

how did he get my name and address and phone#?

If you're listed in a phone book, then that's where they got the information.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I get this call at least twice or more a year. I look forward to a little game I play with them if I have the time. I agree and then let them think I'll sign over control of my system to them only play that I don't understand and keep asking questions and repeating their instruction......pretty soon you can hear the frustration in their voice. Often times when in a hurry I tell them I'm a FBI agent and ask for their phone and website information and that gets them hanging up quickly.

 

[whs]

I would ask for his number and say I'll call back. They are probably sitting in India or some other country. That's why law enforcement cannot get at them.

 

[cottonball]

Criminals can spoof caller ID numbers.

They may appear to be calling from a legitimate company or a local number, when, as whs says, they are not even in the same country!!

 

[linnemeyerhere]

My callers always lead with that they are with Microsoft and they've detected a very serious problem with my windows. You can also just tell them then that you don't own a PC you own a Mac and they hang up as well !

 

[whs]

Or say you run Linux. Same effect.

 

[Barman58]

Although I realise that the likelihood of Local Law enforcement actually being able to do something is slight - the fact is that the incident is notified and adds to the statistics on this - eventually this crime will show high enough on the statistics to demand that something is done

 

[whs]

Although I realise that the likelihood of Local Law enforcement actually being able to do something is slight - the fact is that the incident is notified and adds to the statistics on this - eventually this crime will show high enough on the statistics to demand that something is done

Maybe we should bring it to the attention of Mr. Oettinger, our new IT Comissioner in the EU. He has no IT background yet and mayy appreciate the input.

Btw - he was the Governor of my state in Germany before they 'assigned' him to the EU.

 

[spike999]

Last time I received one of those calls, I told her I was just in the office to fix the window and that the boss had taken the entire I.T. staff to lunch. I then told her I would have someone call her back when they returned. She hung up quick as lightning!

 

[Jacee]

The last phone call I got, the guy said my computer was 'broadcasting' my IP number over the "Windows Internet"..... :huh:

 

[cottonball]

...my computer was 'broadcasting' my IP number...

Yes!!!

I heard it through the grapevine....


.

 

[townsbg]

My brother had this happen recently. Caller claimed to be from MS and that they noticed a problem. MS doesn't just call people up. You have to call them and create a case. I've dealt with their premium support before. at a level of support the average user couldn't afford.