Microsoft Technician Scam - I Fell For it (Page 2): I have no problem with remote access to my computer, as long as I contact them. Anyone who calls me is immediately suspect. I have...

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

Rashid Abdu wrote:

Next time you need help with your computer, get someone local, who will PHYSICALLY come to you and solove your problems. Geek Squad at Best Buy is an example. Dealing with internet "experts" is very risky.
Good luck.

I have no problem with remote access to my computer, as long as I contact them. Anyone who calls me is immediately suspect. I have had great success calling Apple or Adobe and letting them access my computer. And it is free, as opposed to the Geek Squad.

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

I only use American Express, no problems!

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Thanks for all the advice. I have reported the crime to the local police and the federal trade commission. I have cancelled the original card and received a replacement. I contacted legal aid for my state and have been told I make too much money. I am certain that the expense of any litigation with citicorp will far exceed the amount of the fraud. Thanks for all your help.

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

DAN Phillips wrote:

I only use American Express, no problems!

They wouldn't take AmEx. That was my first choice.

AGO

I got a call just yesterday from someone claiming to be a charitable organization supporting police officers. When I asked him for all the information about his organization so that I could check it out with my local police department, he hung up on me.

whfowle Loc: Tampa first, now Albuquerque

Unsolicited calls are banned at my house. I just ignore them. I answer calls from relatives and all others go to voicemail; even companies I deal with. Most scammers don't leave any message at all.

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

I depend on American Express so much that when Costco abandoned them, I abandoned Costco. I walked out of a clothing store once because they did not accept A/E. The very few times I have had an issue, they resolved it to my satisfaction.

Don't leave home without it!

dpfoto Loc: Cape Coral, FL

CALLER: "Good day sir, I am calling from Vindows technical support. Ve have detected a problem with your Vindows computer."

ME: "My Windows computer??"

CALLER: "Yes sir, your Vindows computer."

ME: "Hold on just a minute." I just pause for a minute or so, and then say, "Sir, I just checked... This house has 11 windows, and there's no computer connected to ANY of 'em!"

The rectal orifice just hangs up.

chikid68 Loc: Tennesse USA

Rashid Abdu wrote:

Next time you need help with your computer, get someone local, who will PHYSICALLY come to you and solove your problems. Geek Squad at Best Buy is an example. Dealing with internet "experts" is very risky.
Good luck.

Never call the Geek squad since they are only minimally trained in computer diagnosis and repair.
They just follow the flow chart until they get it right .

anotherview Loc: California

Another technique. Say your words: "Hold on just a minute." Then never get back to the caller. After a while, the caller will hang up. The caller will waste his time, not yours.

dpfoto wrote:

CALLER: "Good day sir, I am calling from Vindows technical support. Ve have detected a problem with your Vindows computer."

ME: "My Windows computer??"

CALLER: "Yes sir, your Vindows computer."

ME: "Hold on just a minute." I just pause for a minute or so, and then say, "Sir, I just checked... This house has 11 windows, and there's no computer connected to ANY of 'em!"

The rectal orifice just hangs up.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

If I understand the transactions, the second was totally unauthorized and the first was excessive compared to what you were quoted by the scammer, correct? If that’s the case, keep the dispute going and ratchet it up. These days, many cards give us a hard time if we receive services even if the charge is not consistent with the going rate. The second charge, not authorized, is a no brainer. You may have to fight for the other.

odujim Loc: New Jersey

Rashid Abdu wrote:

Next time you need help with your computer, get someone local, who will PHYSICALLY come to you and solove your problems. Geek Squad at Best Buy is an example. Dealing with internet "experts" is very risky.
Good luck.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

nikon_jon wrote:

I got one of those calls a few years ago. The first thing I asked was, "If you are telling me there are bad things on my computer, you must already have access. How did you get that and why are you speaking in English that I can barely understand?" When he persisted, I told him I thought he was f.o.s. When he asked what that meant, I told him to figure it out. Maybe that is some of the 'bad stuff' I have on my computer. It is a BIG MISTAKE to be polite with these people.

I think it's a BIG MISTAKE to take any call if you are not certain who it is. If it's important, they can leave a voice message.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

MikeMck wrote:

I received a call from someone representing him to... (show quote)

Never pay that charge. Be sure you explain the situation IN WRITING to the credit card company, and if they don't take the charge off, send another letter with a CC to the local TV news outfit with the best consumer reporter.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

dpfoto wrote:

CALLER: "Good day sir, I am calling from Vindows technical support. Ve have detected a problem with your Vindows computer."

ME: "My Windows computer??"

CALLER: "Yes sir, your Vindows computer."

ME: "Hold on just a minute." I just pause for a minute or so, and then say, "Sir, I just checked... This house has 11 windows, and there's no computer connected to ANY of 'em!"

The rectal orifice just hangs up.

I just tell 'em, "But we use Macs...". They usually hang up immediately.

One guy (with a thick Indian accent) did say they had a solution for Macs, too. I informed him that any software he was using to "find problems when monitoring my computer" would "KNOW" I used a Mac, IF it could get past two firewalls, a 32-character router password, and a non-sensical 16-character user password. <click>

These "rectal orifices" should be considered international outlaws, subject to the harshest fines and prison sentences, since they prey upon innocent people who are unfamiliar with technology.