topic Re: Computer Scam in Electronics

Computer Scam

LizAnne_1 — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 21:36:43 GMT

I've been inundated recently by calls from people posing as a Microsoft rep saying that my computer is infected with viruses. Caller ID shows only College Station Texas (no phone number). The person, always male, has a thick Indian accent and boiler room calls can be heard in the background. Obviously a scam and I hang up on them.

Through google I found that this particular scam has been going on since 2008 and most likely originates out of Kolkata (Calcutta) India. Their purpose, of course, is to gain access to your computer and steal information.

I've taken it upon myself to learn a choice phrase or two in Bengali which I will use next time before exiting the conversation.

Re: Computer Scam

DoneTryin — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 21:42:22 GMT

There have been other threads on this same subject. Everyone seems to have come up with their own ways of handling it. Personally, I love my Caller ID & never answer if I don't know who's calling.

Re: Computer Scam

LizAnne_1 — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 21:45:22 GMT

I don't read the Electronics forum often so I wasn't aware that this had already been covered.

Re: Computer Scam

dooBdoo — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 21:46:19 GMT

Hi, LizAnne! Yes, it's been around a long time. Sometimes the Caller ID indicates it's Microsoft, or MSN, or even Apple. It's important for people to be aware these companies don't make calls to us, and it's really better with all calls to let them go to voicemail if we don't recognize the Caller ID or if it's a business that normally wouldn't be calling.

They use robocalling, so a computer merely scrolls through random phone numbers hoping for a "hit." Answering them tells them your number is a "live" number.

That results in your number going on a list and being re-used, shared, and sometimes even sold to other criminals. So, answering is a guarantee you'll get more calls in the future.

Kudos to you for a reminder to all about this particular scam and also a reminder to all to ignore, ignore, ignore calls from unknown or suspicious callers.

(edited for spelling error)

Re: Computer Scam

LizAnne_1 — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 21:50:13 GMT

Hi Doo! Good advice as always. I do realize that I should ignore the next call but the urge to toy with a scam artist is overwhelming.

Re: Computer Scam

KentuckyWoman — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 21:53:02 GMT

I have been getting the same calls. Nearly a dozen in the last two weeks. I screamed, yelled, told them I knew they were scammers, I'm on a national no call list and they just kept on calling. One day last week, he called again and told me he was calling from Windows Operating System and did I know my computer was infected with a serious virus. I counted to ten and told him I didn't know what he was talking about because I didn't own a computer. Five seconds later I heard the "click" and poof, he was gone. Haven't been bothered since. Fingers crossed.

Re: Computer Scam

DoneTryin — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 21:54:49 GMT

On 10/10/2014 LizAnne said:
I don't read the Electronics forum often so I wasn't aware that this had already been covered.

I think they show up often in Viewpoints

Re: Computer Scam

dooBdoo — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 21:54:52 GMT

On 10/10/2014 LizAnne said:
Hi Doo! Good advice as always. I do realize that I should ignore the next call but the urge to toy with a scam artist is overwhelming.

I know, it's hard to resist messing with callers. I'd rather not, because some security experts say staying on the line, and particularly making them angry, can make it even more likely they'll see to it we get more calls. But I do understand why some people are fed up with the nonsense and want to engage the callers.

Have a nice weekend, LizAnne.

Re: Computer Scam

DoneTryin — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 21:55:43 GMT

On 10/10/2014 LizAnne said:
Hi Doo! Good advice as always. I do realize that I should ignore the next call but the urge to toy with a scam artist is overwhelming.

LOL! It's fun to mess with them, isn't it?

Re: Computer Scam

Nuttmeg — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 21:57:15 GMT

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2011/6/2/1307001981111/a-whistle-004.jpg

Re: Computer Scam

LizAnne_1 — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 22:00:52 GMT

Doo, thanks and a great weekend to you, too.

Kentucky, smart move. I saw also to tell them you have a Mac.

Re: Computer Scam

Ibby114 — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 22:06:35 GMT

On 10/10/2014 VCamp2748 said:
There have been other threads on this same subject. Everyone seems to have come up with their own ways of handling it. Personally, I love my Caller ID & never answer if I don't know who's calling.

Same here!

Re: Computer Scam

Mindy D — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 22:10:38 GMT

I HAD THE SAME CALL. IF ANYONE GETS ONE OF THESE CALLS, DO NOT LET THEM TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR COMPUTER AND GET OFF THE PHONE ASAP. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE PULLING THIS SCAM, THEY TELL YOU THAT THEY HAVE DETECTED SOME PROBLEM ON YOUR COMPUTER AND TRY TO SCARE YOU INTO LETTING THEM TAKE CONTROL TO HELP YOU SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

Re: Computer Scam

kivah — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 02:15:12 GMT

You can't even believe the phone numbers/names that show up on ur caller ID --- as they have programs where they select it. NEVER respond to anyone CALLING YOU, EMAILING YOU, SENDING U A LETTER!!!!! Obviously, SCAMMERS.

Re: Computer Scam

Lynnj — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 02:19:27 GMT

Use common sense - Microsoft would never call someone directly. How would they know your number? If you have caller ID and don't recognize the number, don't answer.

Re: Computer Scam

Ladybug724 — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 02:21:54 GMT

These people are complete idiots. First of all like I really believe your name is Kevin or Jerry. So sick of these calls. I wish there was a way to report them.

Re: Computer Scam

glb613 — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 11:43:19 GMT

On 10/10/2014 VCamp2748 said:
On 10/10/2014 LizAnne said:
Hi Doo! Good advice as always. I do realize that I should ignore the next call but the urge to toy with a scam artist is overwhelming.

LOL! It's fun to mess with them, isn't it?

I love it. I go along with them for a while. When they ask me to download something or to access my computer, I let them have it.

Re: Computer Scam

jackthebear — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 12:09:53 GMT

Let calls from numbers you don't know go to voice mail or do not answer them,

Rinse and repeat

do not engage with these callers

Re: Computer Scam

glb613 — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 13:33:41 GMT

I found this:

"A lot of places take check by phone/online as payment, all you need is a routing number and account number. Wouldn't be too hard for someone with the first two to make up a phony check number to give out.

I have all my credit card bills set to auto-pay from my checking account. All I needed to set this up was my checking account and routing number from the bottom of any check. Same for online loan payment."

All someone needs to do is take a picture of your check to have the information needed. There have been waiters/waitresses who took cell phone photos of people's charge cards and used the numbers to make illegal purchases. You could do the same for a check.

Re: Computer Scam

kalina — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 10:31:05 GMT

I tell them I just got an I-pad. I had to say it about 3 or 4 different times, but it's been about 2 months and I haven't received another call from them.