rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

I got one of those 'Your Microsoft Windows license has expired' calls this morning telling me that my computer was shut down and I should call this 1-800 number.
The irony was that I was using my computer at the time

Kissel vonKeister Loc: Georgia

Isn't it thrilling to get a VOIP phone call from India?

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Just got another call from "Microsoft" they must really want me to keep my computer running.
I'm still on the computer...

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

A change from the "Your computer is causing errors on the internet." scam.

Kissel vonKeister Loc: Georgia

When you call that number, they try to gain access to your computer so they can steal the info from it. I've had conversations with them - they call me, I don't call the 800 number - and I've discovered it's impossible to insult them. They don't care what you call them, or what you suggest they do to themselves.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I used to load a bunch of tabs in my Google Chrome browser that included my Gmail and Earthlink web mail. I'd let the computer go to sleep when I'd step away for a while and 4 or 5 times now, a pop up would come up from the Earthlink tab (web mail) that said pretty much the same thing. It tried to imply that it is Microsoft sending this message, gave a phone number to call, a Cancel Button which I was afraid to touch, and some links if I remember correctly. I was afraid to touch the Cancel or any other button/link because that may be all they need to introduce some kind of malware on the computer that will lock up your files unless you pay a ransom to them. I simply turn off the computer. After this many times, I decided that the pop up was probably coming from the opened tab with my Earthlink web mail so I don't open that one any more. I tried to contact Earthlink, but they make it so hard to contact anyone that I just decided it's easier to not leave that tab active.

Whatever you do, don't click on anything in those pop ups. Just reboot your computer and leave well enough alone.

Earworms Loc: Sacramento, California

I virtually never answer any of the 800 or other similar types of numbers. In fact I usually block them before deleting it off my phone. Now if I was only as effective with scammer emails, there doesn't seem to be such an easy way to deal with them. They don't fool me, but I do find them annoying.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I right-click on the task incon in the task bar and select 'close window' when a site presents a pop-up or pop-under.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

We just got the FIFTH call in the last few hours. We let the answering machine answer any call the we don't recognize on caller ID.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

incognito

They keep coming and coming. I have nomorobo and they still get thru. What I do is play with them. I make them think that I am totally computer ignorant. They tell me to push the control R and other stuff and I just keep telling them that nothing is happening. I make it sound like I am really concerned about the problem and I want to have it corrected. After a while I tell them that I have to leave and if I could call them back. They do give a name and number to call them back. When their phone don't ring they call me again and I tell them that the computer died right after talking to them. I tell em I sent it out for repair. After doing this stuff a few times they get the hint and don't call anymore. It is so much fun playing with these folks think of it this way you can save a lot of other folks from getting scammed by keeping them online.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If so many people didn't fall for these scams, they would have died out years ago. I'm still waiting for Bill Gates to send me a check because I use email.

bemused_bystander Loc: Orkney Islands, UK

I kept one of them on the phone for over an hour once, "trying to carefully follow their instructions."
I was bored, and had nothing better to do.

Now, as soon as I hear a call center in the background, I just hang up.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

I got one of those things on line. It said that unless I called 1-800-------- I would never be able to use my computer again. Somehow I am still using my computer

viscountdriver Loc: East Kent UK

I just keep the line open so they can't call anyone else.