jpgto Loc: North East Tennessee

Not to me, but the exact thing happened to my sister in law. A computer programmer!!!!! She followed their instructions, don't ask why, then had second thoughts. Then the troubles began. It took her weeks to resolve. Finally bought a new computer, changed all her accounts and set up new passwords.
You did the right thing. From what I learned from her dilemma MS will not call you!
As like you say, if you get a call from an MS specialist asking for access to your computer, HANG UP!!!!!!!
Jeff

cday Loc: North Carolina

Yep..back in the spring...and I "played" along, acted like I was doing what he said, until I said...could you hold on a minute, I need to get my husband on the other line as I was having difficulty following his directions (stupid lil ol' southern me...lol) and when my hubby got on the line (just do what I tell and listen...) I told him I knew this was a scam and not now, not ever would be stupid enough to do what he said....he hung up...when I did the *69 return it came to an invalid number...and poor hubby is looking at me like I lost my mind, whats left of it...and told him it was a scammer...

cday Loc: North Carolina

Also got one of these scamming phone calls about the computer system I had financed - NOT!!!! our stuff is paid for...told him it was a scam and never call again....ever....or I'd reach through the phone and snatch him baldheaded...him and his broken English...but he sure understood that!

fdoyle3 Loc: Glenolden Pa.

I usually play along with them to see how far they would go I don't know how many millions of dollars I have forfeited over the years I'm 87 I have a lot to learn.

GeneC Loc: Rhode Island

I got one of those call too. It's a scam to get into your computer. If you had let them they would have said that they needed to access your computer directly. They would have gotten all the info you have stored on it.

Elsiss Loc: Bayside, NY, Boynton Beach, Fl.

Got a call from them about 6 months ago. I used my caller block and no more calls.

CEAA

This is priceless! I shall certainly tell them this and I can't wait until he phones again. (almost every day!) The guy actually gets mad when I say good-bye!

Also, there are some who phone saying that you have been chosen to win a free trip or new windows, etc. Somehow, they use a number with your area code and the first three digits of your phone number!

fantom Loc: Colorado

This is a scam that has been going on for many years. They now know that your phone number is a valid working number. Next time they call tell them you are in the process of moving and do not have time to talk. Tell them to call you on your new number. Give them the number for the White House, the FBI, your local do nothing graft taking political representative, the local police chief, PETA, your ex-wife or the ACLU. Your choice, be creative.

Patricia Stoker Loc: Atlanta, GA

We have gotten several of the same phone calls! We talk to them for a few minutes then just hang up. We rarely ever use our desktops so we have no need for what they are trying to market!

rbfanman

Actually, it was an IQ test. If you had done as the caller had wanted, you would have proven your superior intellect, and so been made Ruler Of India for life. You would have gotten to live in the palace, hump the concubines, and control the national Treasury. Your every word would have been law.

avemal Loc: BALTIMORE

New scam is Solar Energy. 6 calls the last two weeks.
All from India & hardly understand what they are saying.

Rathyatra Loc: Southport, United Kingdom

You acted completely correctly.
This is a well known and long running scam - the script changes slightly but the intention is quite clear.
The scammers call you and claim they are representing Microsoft or a so-called Technical Department of your ISP - they then advise you that they have discovered a virus and offer to remove it from your computer - for a price, of course.
Having gained information from the hapless computer owner they then introduce a virus, or do nothing many suspect, and say it will be removed by them remotely for an agreed fee.
This will vary but in the UK people have been charged as much as £180 GBP - having taken a payment from your credit card they then advise you that they will run a virus scan of your system and confirm that the offending virus has been removed and your computer is now completely safe to use.

I used to get these calls regularly and on one occasion I advised the caller that I was on to their scam and threatened them, in heavy terms, to report them to the appropriate regulatory authorities ( whoever they me be!!) and this provoked a surprising response as follows:

The young man on the phone suddenly broke from his prepared script and said he was very apologetic and he knew this was a scam and was sorry to be part of this deception as he believed there are good people in the UK and they should not be tricked n this way.
He said he was only 18 years old and he needed the job but did not like what he was doing - he agreed to remove my phone number from their database - it may be a coincidence but I have never received one of those calls for over 2 years since that telephone conversation.

Disgraceful that these scams are allowed to continue but I would never allow access to any computer I owned on the basis of such a dodgy sounding call.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

The only people I allow access to my computer is technical support that I have initiated myself directly to Microsoft, Dell, Topaz, etc. I have never had a problem doing this

Bushymonster Loc: Oklahoma City. OK.

Just be careful. Even Microsoft could accidentally leave a back door open by mistake. Your computer would run the same but if the right person could steal you information and demolish your hard drive. Beware and be VERY careful.
-Bushy

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

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.