Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Alert

A call from the technical department of Microsoft

Sep 25, 2015 8:34AM PDT

I received a call on my husband's landline from Microsoft Technical Department. The caller identified himself as Peter Jones. He had an Indian accent. He wanted me to go on the internet with my computer, because there were many corrupt files downloaded on my computer every time I go online. He had to help me to remove it.

I thought it sounded strange, because how would he link the landline to my computer? in any case, I asked him to call me on Saturday, because my laptop was not with me. I gave him my mobile number. He gave me a code: 05.

I did not trust this, and Googled Microsoft Technical department. I found interesting information there, and could not wait for Peter to call back.

Today, Friday, I received another call from my friend. He called from the number +1 516-342-5264. It said New York on my phone. He said he wanted more information from me. I asked him how on earth he would know that my computer has problems if he wanted info from me. He should know certain information. I also told him that I contacted Microsoft, and they said they don't do things this way. (I did not)

When I told him that he was a fraud, he put the phone down. Just an alert that this is still continuing. I live in South Africa.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
When I have the time...
Sep 29, 2015 5:43PM PDT

I've spent hours on the phone with these guys as I patiently follow their instructions and act puzzled by not being able to find my Start menu. Hours.

I use a Mac.

- Collapse -
The Mom Factor
Sep 29, 2015 5:47PM PDT

I usually ask them if their mother knows that they make their living stealing from other people. It's surprising how many of them sound pretty contrite when asked about Mom.

- Collapse -
Its fun to lead them on
Sep 29, 2015 5:49PM PDT

I like to bait them when I have time. Ultimately, I'll them that one of their colleagues called recently…"and you know what I told him?" "What?" "I told him to Go F Himself. And I tell you same thing, G F Yourself!" One guy said "F Me? F You!" So we went back & forth. Funny. Anyway, the scam is so well known and I've received the call so many times, how do they think they are fooling anyone. PS - we got nothing but Macs in this house!

- Collapse -
Sounds like a Lionel Ritchie song.
Sep 29, 2015 5:55PM PDT

Dafydd.
edited by mod, grammar.

Post was last edited on September 29, 2015 5:58 PM PDT

- Collapse -
MS worm scam?
Sep 29, 2015 5:53PM PDT

Today my computer starting ringing (never did that before) and a huge red warning came up that I needed to call MS support for a fix and that my computer had problems. I have Norton 360 running, but they said that wouldn't solve the problem. So, PC Solutions (yes, I know MS pushes them onto us) took 3 hours, installed anti-malware (said I had a worm) and that 21 network connections were running (I have 7 devices). Well, I bought the service but not the 5 year plan.

Have I been scammed or was this legit?

- Collapse -
ms worm scam
Sep 30, 2015 2:18AM PDT

Probably you have. I run Linux, but some sites have 'scareware'or 'hijackware' to get you to pay for a service not needed. It aimed at MS users, saying the system32 folder has an infection, worm etc etc. and offer a free scan, then they detect something and say summat like " for £x download and activate this software to remove this < yada yada> infection".
Do a browser search on <yada yada> infection, chances are if it is a recognised problem your ant-virus and anti-malware software on your machine has already dealt with it, and if it hijackware or scareware there will be more info on its validity as a scam. So don't part with hard earned cash before doing some simple homework..believe nothing, as with computers and the right programming , it can be made to add 1 + 1 and end up with 3....

- Collapse -
@carpenter
Sep 30, 2015 8:17AM PDT
- Collapse -
Microsoft scam
Sep 29, 2015 5:55PM PDT

I have had numerous calls from these scammers. The last time they callled I asked them to hold while I transferred them to my supervisor. I came on an extension phone stating "Thank you for calling the Windham office of the FBI. Sarah speaking, how may I help you?. I was on a silent line. The guy had hung up. I haven't had any more since then. Its' too bad there are still vulnerable people out there that still get taken by them.

- Collapse -
Don't Fall for the SCAM!
Sep 29, 2015 6:02PM PDT

My grandmother recently got one of these scam calls - and fell for it! What actually resulted was the scam company pretending to control her computer with a browser video, distracting her while she gave them credit card information for "identity verification". Shortly after the incident I notified her of the hoax and had her immediately cancel the credit card. Luckily for her the scammers got away with nothing because she cancelled the card before they could run a transaction.

Don't fall for this trick! Microsoft will never call you. As a matter of fact, they don't keep records of your phone number. The only way a true Microsoft employee would ever contact you is through an official Microsoft Support email address, after being prompted to do so by you. They wiull never randomly contact you!

- Collapse -
Pop Up Adware virus on MS Edge Browser
Sep 29, 2015 6:05PM PDT

Also be advised that a similar pop up adware virus is active on MS Edge Browser. the pop up tells you that you have a virus and you need to call a certain 800 #. Once you click OK the virus spreads and eventually clogs up your computer memory It locks your screen and also every time you click to another screen to log in it also delivers a pop up telling you that you have a registry virus and you need to call a certain 800 #.....Stay away from Edge until MS can fix. Technicians fixed my Firefox and Google but not Edge

- Collapse -
Cheap Fix
Sep 29, 2015 6:05PM PDT

I'm on the "Do not call list" and I keep a canned horn near the phone. When I'm responding to a question, mid sentence, I blow it into the mouth piece. Timing is everything and it must be done while you're talking. Imagine that with using a headset! They never call back and probably lose their hearing for a while.

- Collapse -
Or a police whistle
Sep 29, 2015 6:39PM PDT

Police whistles work great, too - and will really give someone a headache to boot. Happy

- Collapse -
They don't appreciate Linux running on a virtual machine...
Sep 29, 2015 6:07PM PDT

I still get the calls, but not so frequently any more...

When they do call, I start a VBox Virtual Machine with a random version of Linux for them to sign on to. (If you use a version that looks like windows, it takes them longer to figure things out.) Usually they use TeamViewer, so they can get on, but it takes them a while to figure out what is going on.

Then the call usually ends with some not so nice things being said to me and me responding in kind...

- Collapse -
I like that
Oct 5, 2015 11:52AM PDT

I use Linux and Virtual Box. I might do that some day. Put "Luna" theme on it, and add some user restrictions to frustrate them further. It might even be more fun to put a windows in the virtual drive and let them play with it, then compare later to see what all they did.

- Collapse -
Microsoft support scam
Sep 29, 2015 6:10PM PDT

I get a call at least once a month with a number that says it is from Albany NY. The guy is definitely Indian, and after he tells me the baloney, I tell him that I don't have a computer any longer, so they have no reason to call. By then, he is completely dumbfounded and hangs up, while I am laughing all the way. Cool

I wish we could prosecute these jerks.

- Collapse -
Yea, I've had several calls from MS Fakes
Sep 29, 2015 6:14PM PDT

It took me a while on the first call to figure out something was wrong. First of all, the person spoke with a foreign accent, second when queried if he worked for MS, he hesitated a bit. Then, I let him talk for a while and then asked him how he knew I had computer problems. He wasn't able to really tell me anything other than he was trying to help, and as I knew I hadn't experienced problems, I hung up.

Several months later, I got another of these calls. After telling him he was a fake and saying a number of remarks that are frankly best not printed, the person on the other end told me I was a XXXXXer and hung up. That's my suggestion, start saying anything, clean or otherwise, and see how long they can stand to listen to you. What better way to deal with a scammer than to mess with him or her.

- Collapse -
How to rid the Microsoft fakes
Sep 29, 2015 6:16PM PDT

Simply explain to them ask them which computer are they referring to, second explain that your pc'so are running Linux. They will not call again.

- Collapse -
What I say
Sep 29, 2015 6:17PM PDT

Sometimes I say I use Linux or UNIX or OSX. Once I asked them how many devices do I have registered with MS because a real support person will know. My favorite is to ask which of my computers is it? I have heard them say your PC or the main one that I use. Then I ask "what is the host name?" None of them even know what a host name is.

- Collapse -
Great Fun Seeing Microsoft Get Scammed
Sep 29, 2015 6:18PM PDT

How sweet to see Microsoft get scammed by this bunch of scammers! I guess Microsoft doesn't have the money or the technical know-how to prove they care enough about their customers to find who is doing this and have them prosecuted. I guess there's no profit for THEM to make this effort. Thanks Microsoft!

- Collapse -
How to rid the Microsoft fakes
Sep 29, 2015 6:18PM PDT

Simply explain to them ask them which computer are they referring to, second explain that your pc'so are running Linux. They will not call again.

- Collapse -
Doesn't work.
Sep 30, 2015 8:26AM PDT

I get calls on a regular basis even though I've told them that and also told them I'm on the DNC list. They don't care. Most of the time they don't even know or care what Linux is. They just hit the button on their robodialer to move on to the next scamee.

- Collapse -
Always with an Indian or Pakistani Accent
Sep 29, 2015 6:23PM PDT

My 89 year old mother gets these calls all the time. I have her trained now to tell them they are scam artists and she is calling the police...then hangs up. Of course, they are calling from some boiler room using VOIP and made up caller ID, so no way to track them down.

I got one about an hour ago and told them to *&$%@##! and hung up. The caller ID said Anonymous. Might be time to get a loud horn to blow in their ear.

- Collapse -
English Only
Sep 29, 2015 7:54PM PDT

Hello from FRANCE, I have found from many years of fake service calls with indian or paki accents, that a reply in any other language than English will get this reply " Do you speak English ?" or " Can you speak in English ?".
They do not speak anything other than English and they get very upset and hang up!
We all know that we get problems but problems like that really P**s me off, have a nice day.

- Collapse -
Hate these guys.
Sep 29, 2015 6:26PM PDT

I at first go all, wow amazing what you can tell from there, you know all about me! Then I ask what Windows version I have. (spoiler alert: they never get it right). Then I waste as much time as I can making them convince me they have the right person. Oh, and I always do my old man voice and can't hear them the first two or three times, and then can't understand them another few. Although my kids say this last part may be getting too close to reality.

But I don't hate them as much as the guy at Office Max who tried to charge my mother-in-law over $200 to remove all the bloatware and set up virus protection - on a Chromebook.

- Collapse -
Answer to scammers...
Sep 29, 2015 6:26PM PDT

I get these every week or so. I play along like ...this is terrible. After they ask me to logon to my system ( I told them it was offline) then I say that a terrible thing like this needs to be reported. I give them a # of my local FBI office and ask Them to call the FBI and report the bad news....after a few seconds ....silence then click...it's fun to egg them on....Or I say i use a Mac why is Microsoft calling me instead of Apple? ....or, I laugh loud and then hang up....
Jim B

- Collapse -
I got a call like that today!
Sep 29, 2015 6:27PM PDT

I got a call exactly like that today from a person with a foreign accent telling me that I had a problem with Windows. I asked him how he knew and he replied that my computer was reporting problems to his server.

Suspecting that he was a fraud (or telemarketer), I starting saying "Hello" multiple times as if I could not hear him. He replied "moron", "idiot", and said "shut up".

I ultimately hung up. Don't fall for this type of prank. And, you can use the same type of repeated "hello" response with any annoying telemarketer to get them to hang up.

- Collapse -
Annoyed and bored
Sep 29, 2015 6:27PM PDT

with these blasted calls. I must get one a week. All from different numbers and on different phones (I have several lines). I need to answer the phone for business reasons so can't just let ring. Usually I ask the caller which computer - he says the Windows one - I say which Windows one etc. Sometimes I say which of the 11 (this is true) or give him a choice of every Operating system. Sometimes I just say "Your mother would be ashamed of you - trying to trick people". Last time I just said Windows was dead - didn't he know?

I hope no one ever does get scammed by these bums. And I really would like to meet them in person and turn them over my knee. Or maybe we can put them in the old-fashioned stocks and throw stuff at them. Along with their friends the "Help me with this money problem" scammers.

- Collapse -
Microsoft Technical Support scam - my reply.
Sep 29, 2015 6:30PM PDT

I had one of these scammers call a few weeks ago. When he said they had detected a virus on my computer I asked him which computer. He asked me how many computers do you have. I told him I had 20. He said the problem was with the one I was using. He asked me to press two keys and what could I see. I told him there was a picture of a bikini clad lady on the desktop and when I pressed the keys she started to take her clothes off. Bewildered he asked me to look at another computer and when he got round to asking me to press the two keys I told him there was a Swiss mountain scene on the desktop and when I pressed the two keys the cows in the picture all shook their heads and their bells began to ring. Still persisting he asked me to look at another computer and when asked to press the two keys I told him I could see an aeroplane flying over Iceland which then started to bank and turn. By now well over 20 minutes had elapsed. It was only at this stage that he realised I was stringing him along. His language was foul and he accused me of wasting his time. I told him I would like his time to be spent in prison. He then put the phone down.

- Collapse -
(NT) LOL, tell him it's because you were tracing him.
Oct 5, 2015 11:57AM PDT
- Collapse -
A call from the technical department of Microsoft
Sep 29, 2015 6:35PM PDT

I have this kind of call at least once a week, sometimes more! Angry

Depending on my mood, I will either play along and at the end tell them I don't have a computer so why are you bothering me. One guy called me a liar and said he was going to phone the police if I didn't let him into my computer! I started to laugh and said go ahead, call the police. I will be here waiting for them. He hung up.

Other times I will ask them to hold on a minute and then put the phone down on the desk and go about making my lunch or supper, depending on the time of day. Usually when I come back they have already hung up so I just hang up the receiver. Happy

When I am having a bad day, well, I won't put it in here what I say...not at all nice and then just bang the phone down. Yes, I have a landline still. If I don't recognize a number or name on my cell, I won't answer it!