Call from "Microsoft": A friend of mine just called and said that he got a all from "Microsoft" last night and they needed him to let them into his computer to fix something. I...

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

A friend of mine just called and said that he got a all from "Microsoft" last night and they needed him to let them into his computer to fix something. I explained that Microsoft Support will never call you cold unless you are in a chat with them on a support issue and then they may ask to call. I told him to call his bank, credit card and all financial services and make appropriate arangements. He had a $4 bogus charge and and then a $400 bogus charge on his checking account a month ago and had just completed changing everything because he is going through a divorce.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

dcampbell52 wrote:

A friend of mine just called and said that he got ... (show quote)

I get those call about once a week. As soon as they begin, I say, "I don't have a computer." Then I hang up.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

jerryc41 wrote:

I get those call about once a week. As soon as they begin, I say, "I don't have a computer." Then I hang up.

I ask them for a phone number "in case I get cut off" repeat it back and then hang up. lol

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

"I have a MAC....." :evil:

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Longshadow wrote:

"I have a MAC....." :evil:

Yep, I get the calls from "Apple" too though so you aren't immune.. just means that they have to have plan "B".
Actually, if I am really bored, I will try to stall them on the phone for a few minutes, pretending to have trouble opening up the share. Then say, "Now that we have traced your call and our agents are taking appropriate steps, you have inadvertantly contacted the Department of Homeland Security's Computer Fraud Division".

firtree Loc: Florida, USA

I just ask, "Do people still fall for this?" right before I hang up.

firtree Loc: Florida, USA

dcampbell52 wrote:

I ask them for a phone number "in case I get cut off" repeat it back and then hang up. lol

:thumbup: Good idea

jmw44 Loc: Princeton, NJ USA

I just say, "I work for the Attorney General in the Division of Consumer Affairs." I don't even have to lie.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

jmw44 wrote:

I just say, "I work for the Attorney General in the Division of Consumer Affairs." I don't even have to lie.

I dont have that luxury.. but, I figure they are probably over seas anyway.. most of the ones I get have Asian accents.. have had a couple of East European but mainly Asian. But, I figure that if I keep them tied up on the phone for a few minutes, wasting their time, then that's less calls that they can make.

handgunner Loc: Windsor Locks, Connecticut

Right! Microsoft will never call you.

I have caller ID on my home phone with an answering machine. If I do not know who it is, I never pick up. If was so all fired important, they will leave a message. Telemarketers never leave a message. Most are voice activated. They seem to know the difference between a voice and a machine.

The Do not Call list doesn't work either. It seems that non profit companies are exempt. Why is that? I never give to any of them no matter how noble the cause. The Hart Foundation called looking for some clothes to be donated. I refused simply because they called me up.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Longshadow wrote:

"I have a MAC....." :evil:

Bad reply! You'll be added to the Mac call list. :D

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

handgunner wrote:

I have caller ID on my home phone with an answering machine. If I do not know who it is, I never pick up.

When I see an unknown caller, I pickup and hangup. Otherwise, it rings until the ans machine comes on.

One problem: my local doctor recently joined a large health organization. When they call to confirm an appointment, the Caller ID shows 800-----whatever. I think it's telemarketing, and ignore it.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

jerryc41 wrote:

When I see an unknown caller, I pickup and hangup. Otherwise, it rings until the ans machine comes on.

One problem: my local doctor recently joined a large health organization. When they call to confirm an appointment, the Caller ID shows 800-----whatever. I think it's telemarketing, and ignore it.

I know what you mean. I use my cell phone for everything. We took out the house phone because we never used it and it was silly to keep paying the monthy charge so that non-profits and telemarketers have a number to call... So everything is caller id'd on my cell. I'll answer the first time and see if it is a phone number I want to block

handgunner Loc: Windsor Locks, Connecticut

jerryc41 wrote:

When I see an unknown caller, I pickup and hangup. Otherwise, it rings until the ans machine comes on.

One problem: my local doctor recently joined a large health organization. When they call to confirm an appointment, the Caller ID shows 800-----whatever. I think it's telemarketing, and ignore it.

My Doctor joined a large group too. He had to give up his private practice because Medicare and the HMOs paid so little. (but that is for another thread). They have an automated confirmation system. It leaves a message. If I don't call back to confirm they will personally call.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I just say "No you're not." and hang up.

I read one article where an investigation came up with the fact that a lot of those calls are by real support people of one company or another just "trying to earn more money". One article even said one group goofed on their attempt to hide where they were and when phone numbers were supplied to their local government they got raided and jailed. Guess they forgot to pay the "protection money" to the right gvt office.