Microsoft phone scam

[dimity_blue]

I was talking to a friend of mine yesterday, and she started complaining about a series of phonecalls she's getting from a firm in India. They claim to be working with (maybe for) Microsoft and try to talk people into logging onto a website so they can take control of your computer. I suspect probably to install a keylogger or to get passwords. Fortunately for my friend, she became suspicious and unplugged her PC, at which point the person on the phone started swearing at her.

She contacted BT who said they've had a ton of complaints about this firm, but, as they're based outside the country, BT can't do anything. At this point, the firm in question is phoning my friend almost daily. As she said, they've got to know by now that she won't listen to them, but I guess hope springs eternal.

So if you get a phonecall from people claiming to be with Microsoft, ignore them. This might only apply to the UK, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're ringing other countries too.

Comments

[leesa_perrie]

I'm starting to say to phone cold callers that hubby and I don't do business over the phone - you just don't know when it's a scam or not and I'd rather be safe than sorry!

As for those recorded phone messages... I really, really hate them!

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

This is definitely a scam. My friend's at her wits end with them. :o(

I don't deal with cold callers at all. I absolutely loathe them.

[thisbluespirit]

I had one of those, although I told them to go away & also that I was on the telephone preference service and they shouldn't be calling.

My Dad also had one. So, yeah, they must be pretty busy with the scamming at the moment.

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

It sounds like it. I hope they haven't caught many people, but I guess it earns enough for them. :o(

[luicat.livejournal.com]

I've heard of these before, but they were saying they had a virus and then they would sell them a program to sort it all out after they had wandered through their computer. One way to stop it is to say that you only have linux, and apparently they don't like it if you wander away from the phone and then leave the line open!
Hehehehehehe!

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

According to the lady at BT that my friend spoke to, leaving the line open prevents them from disconnecting and ringing someone else. It must also run up their phone bill, I'd think, as they're calling from India. :oD

[luicat.livejournal.com]

Apparently they swear lots as well when you finally release them!
Hehehehehe!
In fact I think a Mwahahahaha is in order too!
:oD

scam

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

We've been getting those in Canada too. I got really ticked off with the person on the phone because it was all about fear-mongering. I started asking questions and they couldn't answer any of them without being vague or changing the subject ... yeah, it's totally a scam. They stopped calling after that. My mom called the police to report them ... they stopped calling her too. :-) They get stymied, though, f you say you don't have Microsoft or you don't have a computer.

Re: scam

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

Hee! I suggested the "don't have a computer" to my friend. Maybe it'll work.

I'm glad you and your mom managed to choke them off.

[stargatesg1971.livejournal.com]

I would never give control of my PC to anyone but sadly there are a lot of people out there who would. I hate people who pray on the insecurities of others!

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

Me too. I wonder how many people they've caught with this scam? :o(