topic Re: ANOTHER SCAM!!! (OR THE LATEST ON AN OLD SCAM) in Electronics

ANOTHER SCAM!!! (OR THE LATEST ON AN OLD SCAM)

Cats3000 — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 14:44:03 GMT

Just got a phone call from a person with a heavy foreign accent claiming he was from "the computer maintenance department". He asked for me by my first name. Instead of saying yes, I asked "who's calling". That's when he started his talk and I hung up.

Just for your information.

Re: ANOTHER SCAM!!! (OR THE LATEST ON AN OLD SCAM)

PINKdogWOOD — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 14:47:55 GMT

For sure more of the same. I get this call ALL the time, at least once a week. When I pick up the phone and there's a puase before 'they' pick up/connect I already know who it is and I'm in the process of SLAMMING the phone in their foreign over seas call.

Re: ANOTHER SCAM!!! (OR THE LATEST ON AN OLD SCAM)

fthunt — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 14:59:27 GMT

I had so many of these last year, I decided a lie was in order. Asian guy would say my computer was unsafe - that it was 'sending out a signal'. Yaw - it has to do that to connect to the internet. Right? But I just told him I didn't have a computer - with disbelief in his voice - 'you don't have a computer?" That's right - slam - he hung up on me so fast. (no computer - no unsafe computer!)

Re: ANOTHER SCAM!!! (OR THE LATEST ON AN OLD SCAM)

chrystaltree — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:04:21 GMT

Well, if a person with a foreign accent calls....I will have been forewarned,,,,lol

Re: ANOTHER SCAM!!! (OR THE LATEST ON AN OLD SCAM)

PINKdogWOOD — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:04:40 GMT

@fthunt GOOD ANSWER!!!!

Re: ANOTHER SCAM!!! (OR THE LATEST ON AN OLD SCAM)

Q4u — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:22:36 GMT

LOL.... yup, no computer~! Great answer!

Since we got rid of our land line we've not had any more of these calls. But we used to get them non-stop and not just from foreign sounding callers. If they were trying to sell me something, I already had it, already cleaned it, already built it...! I accept NO solicitation over the telephone. If I want something or a service, I research it myself and then call the company of my choice. Period....

Re: ANOTHER SCAM!!! (OR THE LATEST ON AN OLD SCAM)

Perkup — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:38:25 GMT

About the "I don't have a computer" answer. I've used it for several years now and it often works. But last week I got the call again. Same accent, etc. and first name used. I told him I didn't have a computer and asked that he remove my name from his list. He called me a liar, said I definitely had a computer, because they can access the email address, which he quoted to me. I suggested to him that he was a scam artist and violating the law, which would require me to report his phone number. He then called me an f*&%@& liar, at which point I hung up. My land line phone's caller id has stopped working, so I just don't answer anymore. But these calls are coming from so many different areas and groups it's impossible to do anything about them. They have obviously gotten onto the line that "I don't have a computer". I have heard that the newer land line phones can differentiate between acceptable numbers to answer and "those other kind". I am going to look for one of those.

Re: ANOTHER SCAM!!! (OR THE LATEST ON AN OLD SCAM)

spent2much — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:42:00 GMT

Talk about a scam... About 2 years ago a window popped up on my husband's laptop saying he had a virus. He was unable to do anything on his computer. Just then, we got a phone call - someone with a foreign accent. He said he was from Microsoft and we had a computer problem that he could fix if we would just give him access to our computer. ROFL Hubby gave me the phone and I asked a few questions, then told them if we needed help we would call Microsoft. Then I hung up. I turned off my husband's computer, then back on. Then I ran Malwarebytes and there were no viruses.

We were just amazed that someone could make that window pop up and then call us on the phone immediately after. That was a new one to us.

Re: ANOTHER SCAM!!! (OR THE LATEST ON AN OLD SCAM)

KentuckyWoman — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 16:17:17 GMT

I had a similar call from "the Windows Operating System" folks. They told me they noticed my computer's operating system was in danger of crashing because it had been infected by a terrible virus. He wanted me to give him access to my PC to fix it. I told him I didn't have a computer. For about ten seconds there was just dead air. I said "hello, are you listening?" He hung up. Of course I have a computer and he was a crook. Like I'm going to give him access to my computer.

Re: ANOTHER SCAM!!! (OR THE LATEST ON AN OLD SCAM)

HiLo — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 17:32:27 GMT

Have also received such calls, not just once but several times as have my neighbors.

Yes, another scam but it must be one people fall for frequently.

Re: ANOTHER SCAM!!! (OR THE LATEST ON AN OLD SCAM)

Nuttmeg — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 19:55:43 GMT

I hangup my phone.

Re: ANOTHER SCAM!!! (OR THE LATEST ON AN OLD SCAM)

HarborMini — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 21:01:18 GMT

I write computer articles for our Adult Community Newsletter and just wrote about this type of scam. This is a great way to communicate, educate and share these terrible scams that just won't go away. All the replies are great but to share more info is just another piece of computer knowledge.

First thing to do is if you get a pop-up and have no control of your computer hold your power button for 3 to 5 seconds till your computer is completely off. Wait for at least an hour before turning your computer back on because they put a timer on these pop-ups. NEVER allow anyone to connect remotely on to your computer unless it is your family or friend you trust. And finally, of course, DO NOT answer your phone if you don't recognize the number.

My course of action is if I am in the mood I keep these scammers on for at least 30 to 45 minutes leading them on knowing they are not scamming anyone else.

Re: ANOTHER SCAM!!! (OR THE LATEST ON AN OLD SCAM)

FranandZoe — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 14:15:00 GMT

I've had many of these calls too. If I have time I love to "mess" with them. I've told the Windows people that I don't have Windows - I have MAC computers. Then they say oh the virus affects MAC too. And I've told them I don't have a computer and they argue with me. I've even said something like OMG what should I do. Then they say they'll take control of my computer and fix it for me. Then I give 'em what for. How do they get away with this?

Re: ANOTHER SCAM!!! (OR THE LATEST ON AN OLD SCAM)

Moonchilde — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 16:21:00 GMT

@Q4u wrote:
LOL.... yup, no computer~! Great answer!

Since we got rid of our land line we've not had any more of these calls. But we used to get them non-stop and not just from foreign sounding callers. If they were trying to sell me something, I already had it, already cleaned it, already built it...! I accept NO solicitation over the telephone. If I want something or a service, I research it myself and then call the company of my choice. Period....

I have no need to put myself through picking up the phone listening, hanging up, etc. I have an answering machine. 99.5% of the time, they just hang up without leaving a message as soon as they are connected with a recording. Other recordings, i.e. robo-calls, do this as well. Problem solved.