topic Re: Ladies, BEWARE in Among Friends

Ladies, BEWARE

Katcat1 — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 01:34:45 GMT

Yesterday, I was on my computer and reading an article in msn. All of a sudden a pop up came on that my computer is in threat of a virus and I should call Microsoft and gave the phone no. I shut my computer off and called the number. The recording said someone would be with me shortly but did not answer "Microsoft." A woman came on and she said I should have not shut my computer off and I said what are you going to do and she wanted to get into my computer. Last year I called an anti-virus software co. and the call was intercepted by this same co. with this same woman wanting to get into my computer. This co. is based in India. I can't believe they got into my computer when I have anti-virus software but they did. If this ever happens to you, immediately shut off your computer. Do not call the number. I told her i want to think about it and hung up. What a nightmare. Passing along to you so you know what to do.

Re: Ladies, BEWARE

happycat — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 01:47:16 GMT

Thanks for sharing. I'm glad you didn't fall for it. I've heard of this before. It is just something at all the scamming that goes on. People are just something else.

Re: Ladies, BEWARE

embgm — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 01:50:26 GMT

My mom in her 80's had the same experience. However she didn't realize this was a scam to get into her computer. She called the number and gave information before she became suspicious. Fortunately she doesn't bank or shop online she only emails her friends so there really wasn't any important information to lose. However she felt very humiliated and lost confidence in herself because she was so easily duped. Her computer froze and she was so upset she purchased a new one. She didn't want anything to do with the old one. She lost many nights of sleep worrying. I agree beware everyone!

Re: Ladies, BEWARE

LyndaGee — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 02:10:54 GMT

This happened to many people last year. Wish the scammers would be caught and prosecuted. One lady said she was charged $225. Terrible.

Re: Ladies, BEWARE

Mistreatedbycs — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 02:30:50 GMT

OP: You copied down the number and then shut your computer off? Why would you even call the number?

Chances are you didn't get the same woman from the same company.

If something like that popped up on your computer, you do have a problem. First I guess I would of gotten on the phone with your anti virus company and ask them what's going on.

I just hope no one clicks on anything unsoliciated on your computer.

Re: Ladies, BEWARE

haddon9 — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 02:48:21 GMT

Same thing happened to me a few months ago. This window pops up with a big scary warning and you just can't click it away. It freezes things up. The only way out is to close down the computer and restart. When you do don't restore your previous pages.

Re: Ladies, BEWARE

pommom — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 02:51:30 GMT

This happened to me about a month ago. When the pop up came on, it had such a loud, glaring sound. Spooked me. I shut down my computer. I think they use scare tactics to get the individual to respond quickly.

Re: Ladies, BEWARE

ECBG — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 02:53:14 GMT

The best possible protection is Malware. My husband, whom majored in physics, helps Microsoft with their manuel problems and is the "real deal". Things get past Norton Antivirus these days. The pros use Malware.

Re: Ladies, BEWARE

Lapdog — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 02:57:34 GMT

Very scary. I have been hearing(could even be here) that when you speak to someone like that, do not say the word YES as they are recording it and using it to buy things with your "verbal" permission. I pay several things by phone and I am asked on occasion to say yes to verify.

I have always been gulible so I really have to watch my step.

Re: Ladies, BEWARE

MezzieStarr — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 04:48:50 GMT

May I suggest you get Malwarebytes ( you can download a free version). I've used it for years and it works great. Scan your computer with it. You definitely have malware. It will basically hijack your computer. I use AVG for my ant-virus software. Both good things to have.

Re: Ladies, BEWARE

hckynut — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 07:14:23 GMT

@Katcat1

I get calls from people, maybe from India, that part is not important to me. They go through telling me about my computer and it's "terrible, scary” problems.

I am pretty computer savvy, so I string them along, with them thinking, "aha, I got another one". For me this is entertainment and I have a blast. Had one last week and this guy I strung along for over 10 minutes. He finally said, "are you playing me"? I said, "of course I am" and he said a few 4 letter words and hung up.

Now for me, I wasted a lot of his time, all the while enjoying myself. If anyone calls about your computer and says "microsoft"? Either have fun like I do, or hang up.

hckynut(john)

Re: Ladies, BEWARE

Plaid Pants2 — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 10:58:01 GMT

I would have never called the number.

That's just asking for trouble.

Re: Ladies, BEWARE

Katcat1 — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 16:02:20 GMT

@Mistreatedbycs, @Plaid Pants2, I first shut off the computer. At this point, I did not know what was happening so I dialed the number but when the woman answered the phone, a signal went off in my head that brought back the memory of what happened before. Now I will be on the alert. I wanted to share to help other people out.

Re: Ladies, BEWARE

Tinkrbl44 — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 19:37:41 GMT

@Mistreatedbycs wrote:
OP: You copied down the number and then shut your computer off? Why would you even call the number?

Chances are you didn't get the same woman from the same company.

If something like that popped up on your computer, you do have a problem. First I guess I would of gotten on the phone with your anti virus company and ask them what's going on.

I just hope no one clicks on anything unsoliciated on your computer.

@Mistreatedbycs @Katcat1

OMG ....... WHY aren't people up to date on all the SCAMS out there? This is mind boggling!

Most scam emails have links or phone numbers ... or both. DO NOT use them. PLEASE use common sense here.

If you feel compelled to call whichever company is presumably being represented, look up their CS number and call them yourself.

My sister works for a company that buys used computers from businesses, refurbishes them, and sells them again to businesses. This company always installs not only a good Anti-Virus program, but also Malwarebytes.

You need BOTH .... virus protection AND malware protection.

Re: Ladies, BEWARE

rosi red — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 15:07:41 GMT

Re: Ladies, BEWARE

rosi red — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 15:09:50 GMT

You can get rid of this thing without shutting off your computer.

simply hold down ctrl, alt, and delete. It will take you to the screen where task manager is listed. Click on task manager and a box will open on your desktop top right.

The virus will be listed. Just delete it and it is gone. I 've passed this solution on to all my relatives and friends.

Re: Ladies, BEWARE

Katcat1 — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 16:13:25 GMT

@rosi red, Thank you. Luckily, there are no viruses listed. I wrote down the info. you provided.

Re: Ladies, BEWARE

sunshine 919 — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 16:17:00 GMT

This happened to me and I shut it down and took it to my computer guy. He said this is a scam and that if I had called the number they would have locked up my computer and then charge me to unlock it. He said that they had customers this had happened to and they have to bring it in to get it fixed. He checked my computer and there was nothing wrong with it. I think my computer even made some type of an alarm sound. I was not on it at the time so it was suprising to hear all this going on with a computer that was just sitting and not in use. Thank you for posting your experience.

Re: Ladies, BEWARE

chrystaltree — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 19:11:34 GMT

That has happened to me, more than once. I'm far from computer savvy but even I can tell a scam when I see one. Never in a million years would I have ever called that number....wouldn't have entered my mind. I assumed that if I called that number, I would then give them access to my computer to do heaven only knows what.....and pay them to do it. I do have anti virus protection through Acer and McAfee. One time, actually just a few weeks ago. I got an online message from Acer that they had detected a "problem" with my computer and they would take care of it remotely. I assumed it was a virus. My computer went into "update" mode and then I got a message that that problem had been addressed.