topic Re: Pretty sure this is a scam... in Community Chat

Pretty sure this is a scam...

Julie928 — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 18:31:00 GMT

After turning on my computer this afternoon a popup appeared stating I need to call an 877 number immediately as my computer has been infected with a virus. The popup stated that all my information will be sent to remote hackers (facebook account info, credit cards, photos, etc) if I close the window or attempt to restart my computer. The popup claims to be from Microsoft. I didn't call any number and clearly can use my computer since I'm typing this right now. Have any of you had this happen recently?

Re: Pretty sure this is a scam...

eddyandme — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 18:36:34 GMT

Haven't had that one, if it freezes your computer shut down. They're all scams so don't respond at all.

Re: Pretty sure this is a scam...

pattypud72 — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 18:36:45 GMT

Yes it is a scam. Never click on the link it provides. I always just log off and then log on again so the pop up just disapears. I wont even click on the X to close it out. I am sure you are fine but it never hurts to run a virus scan just in case. Microsoft does not do a pop up telling you that you have a virus.

Re: Pretty sure this is a scam...

hoosieroriginal — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 18:39:37 GMT

Scam. My friend actually called the number and they took her bank info and took her money. It was a mess.

Re: Pretty sure this is a scam...

Bri36 — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 18:40:35 GMT

It's a scam. Just restart your computer.

That never happens with a Mac

Re: Pretty sure this is a scam...

Perkup — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 18:43:03 GMT

This type of thing happened to my DH just before he passed away. He was terribly upset and because he was so ill it was devastating to me as well as to him. We both have Apple computer, and they tell us we are immune to these problems (which I do not believe).

Anyway I phoned Apple and they told me to simply turn off his computer and leave it of for half an hour or so. We did, and when we turned it on again the problem was gone. I don't know if this will help you, but I hope it does. You might also call your computer manufacturer and ask them. It's worse than a scam - it's downright theft. Good luck.

Re: Pretty sure this is a scam...

Daludog — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 18:45:26 GMT

@Julie928 wrote:
After turning on my computer this afternoon a popup appeared stating I need to call an 877 number immediately as my computer has been infected with a virus. The popup stated that all my information will be sent to remote hackers (facebook account info, credit cards, photos, etc) if I close the window or attempt to restart my computer. The popup claims to be from Microsoft. I didn't call any number and clearly can use my computer since I'm typing this right now. Have any of you had this happen recently?

Yes, this happened to me many times! I turned off my computer and restared it. I did a viruus scan and everything seems ok, I still worry why it happens and what causes it to freeze. Wondering if my anti- virus is trying to get me to but more protection?

Re: Pretty sure this is a scam...

Nightowlz — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 18:46:38 GMT

Last weekend my SIL was on my MIL's computer & something like that happened. She also said it was Microsoft. My SIL acutally called the # & let them have control of the computer??? I told DH I thought your sister was smarter then that. I cannot believe she let them have control of the computer.

At any rate she did not have a credit or debit card # to give them so they could repair it. I think they wanted $300 not sure. She told him she did not have $300. DH had her run malwarebytes & ccleaner & everything was ok.

Don't think there is really anything on my MIL's computer that would do the hackers any good. She still pays her bills by mail. Now my SIL uses her computer to pay her bills so she has personal info they may have gotten. She's broke so probably won't do them any good.

Re: Pretty sure this is a scam...

Perkup — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 18:49:57 GMT

@Bri36 wrote:
It's a scam. Just restart your computer.

That never happens with a Mac

Please read my previous response. It did happen to DH who was using a Mac desktop. Things seem to be beginning with Macs - we knew it would happen eventually when PC's became less interesting to the hacking scammers.

Re: Pretty sure this is a scam...

chickenbutt — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 18:51:25 GMT

It's so important to have proper protection, both on deck with each computer AND the highest security you can get on your router, for your home network.

If your router is particularly old, it's time to replace it. Years ago I had one that couldn't go beyond a certain level of security (WEP, I believe) and it came time to replace it with one that went much higher.

Hopefully, the OP turned the computer off IMMEDIATELY.

You must have good quality virus protection AND anti-malware protection. It pays to educate yourself (not pointing at anybody specificially, just the generic form of 'you', BTW) about what things to avoid online, also.

Re: Pretty sure this is a scam...

sissel — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 19:14:14 GMT

I always google the number and most people will tell you they got that too and it's a scam.

Re: Pretty sure this is a scam...

chrystaltree — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 19:27:09 GMT

It's a scam....that's a no brainer.

Re: Pretty sure this is a scam...

Katcat1 — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 19:33:38 GMT

@Julie928, Yes, it has happened to me and more than once. So much for anti-virus software. Shut off your computer immediately. A sales associate at Best Buy told me that you will never receive Pop Ups from Windows, Microsoft, etc. Today you have no privacy at all and it's scary thanks to computer technology. So while it's good for a lot of things, it can be harmful with credit card fraud, banking fraud, etc. I never let a website keep my credit card no. and wish QVC would give you that option. Yes, they do but then they keep your card nos. again.

Re: Pretty sure this is a scam...

shell garden — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 19:34:28 GMT

IT'S A SCAM. RUN away from it. It happened to my sister about six months ago and it shut her computer completely DOWN. My niece knew someone in the "tech" business and had it fixed for her. She didn't have any personal information on the computer thank goodness, so that was okay but it infected her computer with a bad virus. She learned her lesson.

Re: Pretty sure this is a scam...

Imaoldhippie — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 19:35:28 GMT

Yep big ole scam!

Re: Pretty sure this is a scam...

LilacTree — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 19:40:22 GMT

@Julie928 wrote:
After turning on my computer this afternoon a popup appeared stating I need to call an 877 number immediately as my computer has been infected with a virus. The popup stated that all my information will be sent to remote hackers (facebook account info, credit cards, photos, etc) if I close the window or attempt to restart my computer. The popup claims to be from Microsoft. I didn't call any number and clearly can use my computer since I'm typing this right now. Have any of you had this happen recently?

@Julie928

I received something very similar a couple of months ago. It said my computer was infected which in turn could infect their whole system, and they were the only ones who could fix it, so "click here." I recognized it as a malware file which had somehow gotten into my Malwarebytes program.

I immediately pulled the electric plug from the back of my computer. There is nothing anyone can do if your computer is totally disconnected. I waited a while and then gingerly reconnected. I immediately deleted my Malwarebytes program, and ran a full scan via Kasperky. I may reinstall it again someday. I never saw any warnings about it so it must have been caught right away. However, for now, I don't trust it.

Re: Pretty sure this is a scam...

kivah — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 19:41:50 GMT

NEVER respond to anything on ur computer or email - period!!!!!!!!!!!!! Of course they're SCAMS!!!!!

Re: Pretty sure this is a scam...

SharkE — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 19:47:45 GMT

I like Macs better then Windows because they don't try to hog your pc and put in junk they think you should have and take control .

Macs, all I get is rare updates, you go to update page and update it your done. With Windows 10 , now, they're bugging you about putting in this Windows Creator 10 business for gaming and bunch of other young activities that the seniors don't give a rip about. I just go to control panel and delete it there, yes, it comes back, but, I like the idea of deleting it every time it does.

I wish Macs would have a 'refresh' button my main gripe.

Re: Pretty sure this is a scam...

truffle — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 19:56:35 GMT

It happened to me too recently and I was using the Edge which is constantly advertising that it is more secure than Chrome.

Also, I had just installed Malwarebytes and had their latest download but was having problems with it. It siginificantly slowed some programs on my computer and was blocking things left and right that Webroot never did, so I temporarily turned it off.

While catching up with my reading of the news still using Edge, I got that "Microsoft" directive. I still had control of my mouse and so like I instructed others about a month ago when this topic came up, I right clicked my taskbar and then clicked on Task Manager, chose Edge and then selected End Task. It was gone. Next, I restarted my computer and Malwarebytes automatically turns on again so I ran a scan and there were 4 PUP programs it had quranatined. I have no idea what the outcome would have been if I hadn't turned off Mawarebytes but believe me it is acting quirky and very disruptive.

BTW....my Webroot program did not popup when I got that scam. Very disappointed in it too.

Re: Pretty sure this is a scam...

fuzzball76 — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 01:37:47 GMT

I get those all the time. Shut computer down RIGHT AWAY!!! turn it on again, run an anti virus proigram if you have one. If need be go to a earlier restore point. I stream alot and I have been lucky that not had problems. My poor wife, did end up getting a ransom virus to where it actually hi jacked her own laptop. Luckily, I was able to go in and restore it through some careful registry work. One time she actually gets a virus and its a doosy. I always tease her about going to the naughty websites...LOL!!