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Unusual phone call from Microsoft???
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Jun 26, 2015 19:39:39   #
capsar050 Loc: Piedmont in North Carolina
 
I got one of those calls too. At least I know I wasn't wrong for telling the jerk to pack it. Too bad the call wasn't from Microsoft. I would love to tell them where to get off sometimes. :)

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Jun 26, 2015 20:01:44   #
jfn007 Loc: Close to the middle of nowhere.
 
I have not been impacted by this scam but I have won the Nigerian Lottery seven times.

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Jun 26, 2015 20:16:05   #
Rongnongno Loc: FL
 
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Took you way too long to react!!!

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Jun 26, 2015 20:16:26   #
St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet
 
Indi wrote:
I just received a strange phone call from (Supposedly) a Microsoft rep/agent.
...

From Microsoft -

Avoid tech support phone scams
http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/avoid-phone-scams.aspx

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Jun 26, 2015 20:37:48   #
twhrider Loc: Indiana
 
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)


Yep....I got that call at work one day. Basically told him it was BS, and he kept on, and on, and on, and I told him that it was just my lucky day, because I had an IT person on the property doing other work on the system, and I'd mention it, and if there really was a problem I was sure they could handle it. He tried a bit more, but when I got my best redneck on and told him "Oh HELL no...." he finally gave up. SCAM big time.

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Jun 26, 2015 21:02:26   #
twindad Loc: SW Michigan, frolicking in the snow.
 
The guy who called me said he was from Windows. He told me to type in a series of commands, so I hit a few keys and he asked me what I saw on the screen. I said, "Fuck you". He said, No, what's on your screen?"
So again, I said, "Right on my screen, it says fuck you".
He says, "Sir, I don't believe you are telling me the truth".
I said,"Sir, I don't believe YOU are telling the truth, either".
At which point, I hung up.

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Jun 26, 2015 21:26:16   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
It DEFINITELY is a scam! They want to get control of your computer and get info from it or have it send out spam! I can guarantee you it was NOT Microsoft!

I had one of those call me once. I strung him along for a few minutes, getting to the point where he asked what was on my computer, to which I replied: An article that talks about scammers calling you up and saying that your computer is causing errors on the internet so they can get access to your computer...
He said oh and hung up. :evil:

NEVER give anyone control of your computer unless YOU initiate the call to a service provider. Even then I'd be a little leary.

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Jun 26, 2015 21:44:05   #
dabbe Loc: Mountain Home, Arkansas
 
Yes, it is definitely a SCAM. My 84 year old, computer literate Mother fell for it, and now she is harassed constantly. And, it's cost her hundreds of dollars. Tell them to f&$k-off!!!

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Jun 26, 2015 21:44:54   #
dabbe Loc: Mountain Home, Arkansas
 
Oops duplicate post

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Jun 26, 2015 22:37:49   #
Dan821 Loc: Traveling........
 
I received a similar call not too long ago.
Being a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer in a previous life, I played along with the caller's instructions for a bit.
He finally asked what was displayed on the screen and I told him nothing. "Nothing?" he asked. "Nothing!" I confirmed.
After a few more steps, I tired of his fumbling around and asked him if I needed to power the PC on??

Dead silence on the other end, then click...

No more calls after that.

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Jun 26, 2015 23:08:30   #
Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.
 
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.

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Jun 27, 2015 00:11:07   #
rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA
 
DaveO wrote:
I get them every couple weeks and I just hang up. The last one I received was yesterday, so I decided to play a bit.
I told him that I did not have a computer and he said: not even a laptop? I said that I had nothing and he thanked me and hung up. Maybe I'll get dropped from one list.


Get dropped from the list? Don't count on it. Once you're on the list, you stay on the list. I've tried the "no computer" line several times, to no avail. The calls keep coming.

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Jun 27, 2015 00:26:54   #
Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.
 
rook2c4 wrote:
Get dropped from the list? Don't count on it. Once you're on the list, you stay on the list. I've tried the "no computer" line several times, to no avail. The calls keep coming.


This guy called me on my iPhone. I can easily block any caller but they can always call me from another number.
Can't wait to try some of the stuff suggested.

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Jun 27, 2015 00:51:04   #
moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment
 
It can be really fun to mess with those people==and practice your Indian accent at the same time.

Then it just gets old.

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Jun 27, 2015 02:46:39   #
Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.
 
I've had a number of these calls. The first one must have been over five years ago, and I thought it was genuine. (Mr. Patel / Kevin) led me through his routine, into a history /record of actions/ whatever. "We can clear all that from your machine, for good" Then he quoted me an annual cost figure for doing it....End of call as I put the phone down. The most recent one, I strung along, and after telling him I had an Apple Mac computer, he said he would get his colleague from the next room, who deals with them. I questioned this 'next room colleague' about being paid by Microsoft, and 'Working on Mac computer problems. This time, they rang-off. Another tack, when I reply that I have no computer, which does not seem to deter them. I say..."I don't know how you got in touch with me, I don't even have a telephone". That seems to do the trick.

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