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Unusual phone call from Microsoft???
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Jun 28, 2015 12:47:34   #
fantom Loc: Colorado
 
BobHartung wrote:
SCAM ALERT! SCAM ALERT! This has been discussed many times on this forum.

They even call me and I haven't used a Windows machine in over 8 years. They must have purloined a Microsoft Windows registration database. Really makes me feel secure with Windows Corps' internet security.


They call phone numbers randomly. Its cheaper to find, and cull out a mac user, than try to screen for a silly "Microsoft Windows registration" becuz they will hit on many more Windows users than Mac's. Its like a Ford truck ad on TV. It is seen by everyone and not just by people who might buy a Ford truck. Assuming, of course, that the viewers don't fast forward past the ads like I do.

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Jun 28, 2015 14:00:58   #
alliebess Loc: suburban Philadelphia
 
Indi wrote:
I just received a strange phone call from (Supposedly) a Microsoft rep/agent.
A gentleman with a distinct Indian accent called a little while ago. He told me that my computer was infected with malware and/or viruses and he was calling from MS to help me. He told me to press the Windows key and type something like eventxxx at the prompt. I told him that I was very leery about typing anything in and running any program at someone who purportedly represents Microsoft.
He then told me that he knew my unique ID number and told me to write it down. He the told me to run MSCONFIG from the prompt and type in ASSOC which would match the number he gave me beforehand and prove he was legit. While he was talking to me I looked at the reports from Malwarebytes and Norton and they showed nothing.
I then told him that I very reluctant to do anything he suggested via a "phone call from Microsoft."
I said that unless I received an official email from MS, I wasn't going to run any programs from someone who made a personal call to me.
He said goodbye and hung up.
I then decided to back check the number he called me from and the app said it was an invalid number.
Has anything similar happened to any of you?
What are your thoughts?
I just received a strange phone call from (Suppose... (show quote)

I've received these calls at work and just said, "No thanks," and hung up. Figured it was a scam and we have our own technical support. Also got one at home and told him that my son maintained my computer (which is true) and again just hung up. I'm leary of giving out any information unless I actually know the caller.

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Jun 28, 2015 14:49:13   #
photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA
 
I get calls from them all the time. I read about the scam in the paper; by time they are finished your computer is indeed riddled with malware and then they want to charge you to remove it.

They get upset when I tell them that I know it's a scam; they actually become indignant!

Hang up on them!

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Jun 28, 2015 19:05:17   #
Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado
 
Yes, they are parasites persistently calling with various threads bothering people 3 - 4 times a year or more. They also told me some time ago, that they can shut down my computer if I don't get my "viruses" (fixed remotely by them) for $ 200.00.
They did manage to shut down one of my computers for about two days. After that - and (leaving that particular computer off for three days), everything works fine.
They do have an accent!

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Jun 28, 2015 20:12:43   #
jeking Loc: Northern Illinois
 
Or the garbage disposal...just put the phone near the garbage disposal drain and flip it on!!!
Indi wrote:
Thanks everybody for confirming my suspicions. I couldn't understand why MS was calling me personally in the first place. Then, when he mentioned malware and I checked my Malwarebytes while I on the phone with. I told him this and he told me it wasn't malware. Then he said it was a virus and I checked my Norton...no viruses, no attempted attacks. That's when I told him I would not do what he asked.
I also thank everyone for their great ideas for responding.
I have one trick I'd like to use if they call again. Years ago I was in a bar and some guys wife asked the bartender if he was there. I watched the bartender put the phone down next a blender and turned it on full blast. THAT was one the funniest things I ever saw. Can't wait to try that one.
Thanks everybody for confirming my suspicions. I c... (show quote)

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Jun 28, 2015 20:16:40   #
jeking Loc: Northern Illinois
 
By now you know it's a scam. I got three of these calls, first one I kept questioning the guy cuz I knew it was a scam...he hung up on me. 2nd call it was a lady and I just hung up. Third call, my kid answered and said it was someone about windows - I thought windows that you open to let fresh air in...but nope - yet another BS artist. I yelled scam, I know this is a scam and don't call me again!! Haven't had any more calls lately but I know eventually they will start up again. I let the answering machine pick up and if the message is important, they will leave one.

Indi wrote:
I just received a strange phone call from (Supposedly) a Microsoft rep/agent.
A gentleman with a distinct Indian accent called a little while ago. He told me that my computer was infected with malware and/or viruses and he was calling from MS to help me. He told me to press the Windows key and type something like eventxxx at the prompt. I told him that I was very leery about typing anything in and running any program at someone who purportedly represents Microsoft.
He then told me that he knew my unique ID number and told me to write it down. He the told me to run MSCONFIG from the prompt and type in ASSOC which would match the number he gave me beforehand and prove he was legit. While he was talking to me I looked at the reports from Malwarebytes and Norton and they showed nothing.
I then told him that I very reluctant to do anything he suggested via a "phone call from Microsoft."
I said that unless I received an official email from MS, I wasn't going to run any programs from someone who made a personal call to me.
He said goodbye and hung up.
I then decided to back check the number he called me from and the app said it was an invalid number.
Has anything similar happened to any of you?
What are your thoughts?
I just received a strange phone call from (Suppose... (show quote)

Reply
Jun 28, 2015 20:22:30   #
kennyb1
 
Tha ahappens to me all the time and I hang with them just to kill time MS dont call and windows dont call I use Iyogi support and they check my machine ever week. Please with the service.

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Jun 28, 2015 20:26:15   #
kjfishman Loc: Fulton MO
 
I got a similar call but claimed to be from Dell. They even knew what model PC I had. But Dell doesn't call you anymore than MS. So I let the guy blabber on and then told him he should be ashamed of himself trying to scam people. His reply was "Fxxxing Americans are murders..." He Needs to work on his sales technique.

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Jun 28, 2015 22:28:24   #
Bushymonster Loc: Oklahoma City. OK.
 
ditto.
-Bushy

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Jun 28, 2015 23:00:07   #
13oct1931 Loc: Lebanon, Indiana
 
Don't get in bed with Iyogi either while it is cheap at first, eventually they WILL drive the price up. Alyn

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Jun 28, 2015 23:14:23   #
IYNHAGTIYODF Loc: Providence, Rhode Island
 
I get the same call every couple of weeks and I don't own a computer. I usually ask which computer is having the problem. They answer the Windows one. I tell them I have more than one and if they are aware of a problem they should be able to tell me which computer. The last time I kept the guy on the phone for about 5 minutes before telling him that I don't own a computer and I was keeping him on the phone to waste his time and keeping him from scamming someone else. He was pissed and started calling me every name in the book insulting my mother. Well needless to say he eventually hung up but I got a little bit of enjoyment out of hearing him get so angry. I did tell him that it was people like him that gives people with Pakistani ancestry a bad name.
That really got him mad, at which time I hung up.

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Jun 29, 2015 03:41:33   #
WOLFF Loc: So. Cal.
 
Be verrry careful they can get into your system and use it as a server. Just hang up.This is international terrorist at work!

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Jun 29, 2015 04:03:13   #
Hammer Loc: London UK
 
speters wrote:
Don't go for it, that is a scam that's been going around for a very long time!!!!


Hi

I had one of these. I could not help myself and led them along. Kept them going, even to the point they thought that I was going to turn my computer on , then I told them that I had to wait for my 5 year old son to come home from school because was the only one who knew how to turn the computer on. They called me back at the supposed home time for the 5 year old, I then taught them some very rude English , they still kept going !

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Jun 29, 2015 06:19:37   #
EdM Loc: FN30JS
 
WE SCREEN OUR CALLS, one would be surprised at the number of calls that go over to the answering machine without any response ... If we dont know your number, you will be talking to the answering machine... While number CAN be blocked easily, I would like it the other way, so that only numbers we authorize can get thru... There is really sumpin to be said for email...

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Jun 29, 2015 06:49:44   #
Hammer Loc: London UK
 
We were getting fed up with all the sales calls coming in to the office so we set up George . He is an answering machine that sits in the corner and takes all unsolicited sales calls. Whats amazing is the same people keep calling.

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