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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

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Another way with telemarketers / scammers
Sep 30, 2015 7:12AM PDT

I got a similar call about a week ago, but I don't remember them saying the word "Microsoft."

At any rate, I had recently read something on the internet written by an actual telemarketer who indicated what to do and what not to do with telemarketer calls in general. Distilling his advice, I now answer such calls rather than ignore them. After saying "hello," after the person calling makes his first comment or question, my only response, regardless of what he says, is simply "I will not engage in any conversation with you about the subject matter of your call." or words to that effect. When he says that he can understand that, but why do I feel that way, I repeat my statement---again and again and again. If he is extremely persistent, I will ask him one question: "Are you going to end this call or am I ?" When he says he isn't going to, I simply tell him to feel free to continue talking and then I put the phone down. Within a minute or two---sometimes slightly longer---I hear the tone that reminds me to hang my phone up because the caller has disconnected. (I have yet to get such a call on a cell phone.)

Apparently, such a call tells him I am not worth his time: I will answer, I will not engage, and he is wasting his time trying to talk with me----precisely the message I want to send..

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Here's an article on the subject that may be of interest:
Sep 30, 2015 8:32AM PDT
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Scam is money maker for software giants
Sep 30, 2015 8:39AM PDT

The REASON why this is, still, continuing is for the exact same reason that viruses are so prevalent, on the internet, and why peoples personal information is "hacked", on a daily basis.

Microsoft, and other software companies, could NOT care LESS about customer concerns, just as these same companies could not care LESS if the public can "read", but not UNDERSTAND, all of the new, computer "lingo".

In the minds, of the software trillionairres, we, the people, are NOTHING! As long as the PROFITS roll in, that is ALL that the companies care about.

After all, how MANY times, have people called "tech support", about messages, which the customers cannot even pronounce, let alone describe, to the company, yet the company says "Until you can tell me WHAT the problem is, I cannot help you".

How can the public be expected to explain things, to tech support, when we dont even understand WHAT we are seeing?

THIS is EXACTLY why NO action will be taken, to STOP these phone calls. Remember that, each time we call "tech support" are accounts are BILLED, even just for the call.

This scam will mean BIG dollars, for the software giants, as the public racks up HUGE bills, while trying to understand "tech-talk", which ONLY software engineers understand.

Yes, I have PLENTY of "experience", with this issue, myself, and I have NEVER received a straight, simple, basic, English, answer, to ANY question I have asked.

I Do hope, however, that others have far better luck than I have had.

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No call list violation?
Sep 30, 2015 9:15AM PDT

I've played with these jerks too, but here is an aspect that may not have been considered. I'm on the national no call list. I've heard of the government prosecuting violators and the offended individual receiving a settlement. I've not tried it because I have better things to do but if you are on the no call list, give that a try and buy me a case of beer if you win.

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RE: No call list violation?
Sep 30, 2015 3:01PM PDT

A national no call list will only stop people ringing you from within your country. It cannot prevent someone ringing you through Skype from India. Such a call cannot also be traced.

These people are outside the jurisdiction of our laws and their numbers are untraceable. So tell me how can they be stopped? Even the NSA couldn't do it.

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No Call List
Sep 30, 2015 6:11PM PDT

I'm assuming that you are talking about the national Do Not Call registry in the U.S. As Loris said, these people are outside the jurisdiction of the U.S. Also, the DNC list is only for telemarketers. I don't think that these guys are telemarketers any more than Bugsy Siegel was an entertainment director in Las Vegas. To file with the FCC, you need the name of the company and other information. I have actually done that to a telemarketer as I traced the telephone number to some marketing company in California. However, this is something different. Still, I'd like to see if someone can try to file something just to find out if they say or do anything about it. You never know until you try.

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Turning in Vishers
Oct 1, 2015 9:37AM PDT
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Agrred
Oct 1, 2015 5:29PM PDT

Every once in a while, you get lucky though. Someone forgets to do the spoofing. Not very often.

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agrredd.
Oct 1, 2015 5:50PM PDT

wasn't he in Harry Potter?
Dafydd.

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HA!
Oct 2, 2015 2:12PM PDT

You are almost correct. I think there was an "H" in there somewhere. But now I feel totally embarrassed because I missed that error. Thanks for pointing that out; I appreciate it.

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Don't be embarrassed.
Oct 2, 2015 2:24PM PDT

Bit of banter is all.
Dafydd.

Post was last edited on October 2, 2015 2:35 PM PDT

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Here's how I stop them dead every time
Sep 30, 2015 9:39AM PDT

I know about the importance of family to Indians, so I always stop the caller, tell him that he and I are in the same business, and tell him I make my focused on cheating people like his parents and grandparents out of money. That seems to have a big effect.

Or, sometimes I use a fake Indian accent and a well-known Indian insult. I call him a poverty-stricken sisterf*cker.

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What about the foreign techs from ATT that connect to me
Sep 30, 2015 10:26AM PDT

I too have been scammed by them in the past, and have had my identity stolen.
My question is about the technicians from ATT connect tech. I pay $15/m for unlimited tech support for any device from ATT.
When I call, I am usually connected to someone, who accesses my computer to help me, and if he cannot help me or it takes to long, transfers me to a teck that justs texts me as he is working on my computer.
I've used them for years and seem to get help when I need it. But is it also dangerous or a scam for me to let them access my computer?

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Should be fine
Sep 30, 2015 11:04AM PDT

You call them.There lies the difference. A reputable support company will not scam you and if you have been using them for years without any problems, continue to do so with an easy mind.

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They're calling to Canada, too.
Sep 30, 2015 10:26AM PDT

I have received quite a few calls from these guys, always with an indian accent. In fact, I just got a call from them this morning. The first few times, they called just as I was going out the door. Now, I am getting fed up with them and told the guy this morning "I'm not interested and stop calling me!" Of course, I know they will call back. I've tried the leave-them-hanging trick but it didn't work very well though. Maybe some tips from others.

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They're calling to Canada, too.
Sep 30, 2015 10:26AM PDT

I have received quite a few calls from these guys, always with an indian accent. In fact, I just got a call from them this morning. The first few times, they called just as I was going out the door. Now, I am getting fed up with them and told the guy this morning "I'm not interested and stop calling me!" Of course, I know they will call back. I've tried the leave-them-hanging trick but it didn't work very well though. Maybe some tips from others.

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@watercat3
Oct 1, 2015 9:49AM PDT

There are LOTS of tips from other in these comments. Just take some time to read them. Wink

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Windows repair
Sep 30, 2015 10:26AM PDT

They have called me several times. I keep telling them to come fix my broke bedroom window. Last time they called, told them window still needed fixing. They then passed me to another person, we discussed fixing my window, could hear people in the background laughing. They then hung up on me. I try to keep them on the phone as long as possible when I am in the mood to waste their time.

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fraud
Sep 30, 2015 10:29AM PDT

fraud

I have had the same problem for more then one year, they wanted me to buy a service contract for one, two or three years, I told the person that called me, that I could not hear him and I needed to call him back, then he gave me his personal phone number 630-243-5223 which is located in Lemont, IL, the first number he gave me was 800 number is 844-623-5160 and the number that came on my computer screen telling me I had a virus was 866-377-1235.

Please me why Microsoft won't stop them after all of these years?

I'm giving you and them his personal phone number 630-243-5223, please stop them now.


Thanks,


Robert S.

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@Robert S.
Oct 1, 2015 10:00AM PDT

That is just such a scam call that is being discussed here. It's highly probable that all three of those numbers are just spoofed and nothing can be done about it because of that. I gave a link in one of my other answers that explains what spoofing is. I sincerely hope that you didn't divulge any of your personal info of any kind with this caller or callers. If you did you have a lot more to worry about than getting a junk phone call every once in a while.

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Read the email to the scammer lol
Sep 30, 2015 10:37AM PDT

I just got a call from them. I tried to read the scam alert email to him. First he denied it, then he hung before I could finish. Lol. Thanks cnet.

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Fun Messing With the Scam Artists
Sep 30, 2015 10:42AM PDT

Periodically I receive calls from these morons that claim they are from Microsoft, Dell, Windows etc. and I continuously block them, but as these crooks do they use other numbers to work around the block. I receive about 1 call a month, that gets through, and this has been going on now for years.
Like what many others have said, when they call I try to waste as much of their time as I can with them and screw with them until they either get frustrated and hang up or I just get board and tell them they have been screwed with. Sometimes I wonder why they even keep trying to pass this scam off, it seems everybody is aware of these idiots, but Stupid is, what Stupid Does, and they are "STUPID"

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Not everybody
Sep 30, 2015 11:10AM PDT

Sadly not everybody is aware, even though the scam is widely circulated on the web and sometimes even the press. Presumably there are enough people who fall for it to make it worth their while doing it. All we can do is just help to spread the word.

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Microsoft is not calling you.
Sep 30, 2015 10:45AM PDT

It is really difficult to get help from Microsoft if you get in touch with them. They are certainly not out there looking for people with computer problems. If you get one of these calls IT IS A SCAM. Hang up the phone!

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I received three calls!
Sep 30, 2015 11:26AM PDT

During the first call I told the guy what he was saying didn't make any sense. He said he was from Microsoft Technical Support and my computer was infected. I said ok what do you want me to do about it. He started giving me a long number to use the next time he called. After about 15 digits I said I had to go to the bathroom and hung up. The second time he called I asked if I could speak to Bill Gates. After repeating the name several times he said, OK, I'll transfer you to Bill Gates. I started laughing and hung up. The third time he called I told him he didn't have to worry about me any more, I had traded my pc for a MAC. Haven't heard from him since!

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I'm an old man
Sep 30, 2015 11:43AM PDT

I'm an old man and sometimes don't have much to do. When I get these calls, and I've received many, I just have a nice long semi-senile conversation with the caller always holding out the hope that I'm going to let him into my computer any minute. I'm a former trial lawyer and can ask questions and talk about nothing for an amazing amount of time. After all, why wouldn't any stranger who called me on the phone be delighted to answer all the inane questions I asked about their children and the weather from wherever they claim to be calling from. Just after I make them explain the whole deal and what buttons I have to hit to let them in one last time I suddenly tell them my wife needs me but they should be sure to call me back next Wednesday and we'll get it done. They usually do call back one or two Wednesdays before they figure out that I'm a nasty guy who just wastes the time of anyone that intrudes into my house with a fraudulent phone call. But why do they get so frustrated and angry?

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beware of the scamsters
Sep 30, 2015 11:55AM PDT

I had received several calls from these morons. one time when he called he gave me their usual deceitful lies. so I played along with him. I knew it was a scam. then I guess he misinterpreted what I said when he asked me about my computer. he thought I said I don't have a computer.
then he gets mad at me and he asks me if I'm playing games with him and he doesn't have time for that. I told him, hey, you called me.
so he hung up.
Another time when they called I said I don't have time to talk with him, if I could have a phone number to call him back. He gave me a phone number. so I later called it. A woman answered and I believe she was from N.Y. she told me that they called her also.
I told her that they gave me her phone number and she was in disbelief.

So far it has been quite a few months and I haven't heard back from those creeps.

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Make sure to waste their time
Sep 30, 2015 12:10PM PDT

After the fourth phone call from these guys, I started asking questions: How a computer might be infected, what can be done, etc. After a few minutes he was getting excited, but I was bored. Finally, I asked how he knew my computer was infected when I did not have a computer. He replied: "F*ck you."

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Mom Knows Best
Sep 30, 2015 12:33PM PDT

My 72-year old mother handled it wonderfully. She knew it was a fraud call from the start. She kept the jerk on the phone for almost an hour pretending to be concerned and having difficulty following his instructions. Every time she mentioned just reinstalling Windows, the caller responded, "No! No! Don't do that!" When she finally got bored, she told him she knew he was just a scam artist. The then told him she only kept him on the phone so long to tie him up so that he couldn't scam other people during that time.

Needless to say he hung up frustrated, and she had a good laugh.

My standard response to them is "Why would Microsoft be calling me? I have a Mac."

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A problem with your Windows computer
Sep 30, 2015 12:37PM PDT

I've gotten quite a few of these calls at home, and now recently at my Mom's house. Fortunately, when the call came on her line, I answered the phone. A man with a heavy Indian accent said he was calling about "a problem with your windows computer". After hanging up on these calls in the past, I decided to have a little fun with it, so I said "what's wrong with my windows?" he told me that it was running slowly and he was going to fix it for me. I said "My windows are installed in wood and stucco. How can they be running?" He then said I needed new windows. I said "You're giving me new windows? That's great! Will they be double or triple paned? What about the coating? Just a minute, let me get my measuring tape, I have about 14 windows in the house that need replacing. I'll tell you the sizes I need." The guy said "No, the windows on your computer." I said "I don't have a computer, so how could it have windows on it? The windows are on my house." I guess the guy either didn't know what I was talking about, or couldn't believe someone didn't have a computer, and he hung up. Meanwhile, my 70+ Mom is sitting there wondering what the h*ll I was talking about on the phone. After I told her that Windows was a computer operating system, she thought what I said to him was really funny. I told her if she gets a call like this again, just say she doesn't have a computer and hang up on them. Since they're calling from off-shore, telling them to remove your name from their list doesn't mean anything. I wonder how many older folks have gotten scammed by these creeps.