Heads Up - I just had a computer phone scam - Page 2

scotttie · ‎03-09-2010

On 4/28/2014 LipstickDiva said:
I got this same call at work. I hardly ever answer the work phones and when I did, this is the call I got. When I told him he was calling a law firm, not an individual home, he hung up on me. LOL

DOH!

JustJules · ‎06-25-2013

This is not new, it is a scam that has been around for a long time. I have received numerous phone calls from "them". I just have fun and string them along... tell them my windows are fine, or that I use a MAC so don't run windows, or that I just don't have a computer so I know they are full of BS. I feel bad for the people that fall for this and get taken advantage of... there was an article in our paper about a local man that got taken for about $5,000 because of this scam. It is truly a shame because they do find people that are not computer literate, some of the older generation that believe whatever they are told.... and it is just so wrong. Sadly, they use phone numbers that cannot be tracked and it is almost impossible to find them to prosecute them. Hopefully the more people hear about this, the more they will be aware. Nobody is going to call you to tell you that you have a virus on your computer... they have no way of knowing that. It's sad how some take advantage of others.

focksie · ‎03-04-2012

Jules, that's why I posted this, to make people aware. I didn't even realize this particular scam has been around for a while. This is actually the first time I've ever had a scam attempt. I've always been on the Do Not Call Registry and never had problems even with telemarketers, but lately I'm getting a lot of krap calls and now this.

kittymomNC · ‎08-09-2012

I had this exact same phone call about a week ago. On occasion my DS's cell will come up with "Caller Unknown", and that's why I answered it. My first thought was "Windows is calling individuals???" I let him keep talking, he said if I continued to use my computer for another few days without letting them "fix it" it would totally crash, and when I tried to ask him questions, he said "Listen to me" in a very loud voice.....of course, I then launched into my own tirade of "Don't you talk to me like that!" and "I don't know who you are or what you're doing.....!", at which time I heard "click".

I did the same thing and called McAfee, they took control of my computer and ran a scan, then checked out some other things, and said I was fine. Believe it or not, she said they've had people who believed these nuts and gave them information which ruined their computers.

I was so busy with my little sick cat at the time of the call, I didn't even think to post a warning on here. Thanks for doing that, it may save some people a lot of problems.

Topaz Gem · ‎03-10-2010

If people are still getting calls, then it's worth repeating as often as possible. I imagine that these scammers lay low for awhile, then launch another campaign in a different part of the country, where they've never called before. If one of these threads can alert even a few posters that were unaware, then it's worth it.

"Summer afternoon-summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." ~Henry James

JustJules · ‎06-25-2013

On 4/28/2014 focksie said:
Jules, that's why I posted this, to make people aware. I didn't even realize this particular scam has been around for a while. This is actually the first time I've ever had a scam attempt. I've always been on the Do Not Call Registry and never had problems even with telemarketers, but lately I'm getting a lot of krap calls and now this.

I know, and I am glad you did. I applaud you... sharing your experience only can help others. Like I said, I have had numerous calls, and not naive enough to believe any of them, but others are too forgiving, and get taken advantage of. It's a horrible and awful scam... hope people become more aware.

ShowMe · ‎09-06-2010

I've had that one too.......

Also, at least sometimes 2 or 3 times a day I will get a call from Bank Card Services. I have answered their calls a couple times and went to their #1 and have said to the......"You have been reported to my Attorney General." One time one of the gentlemen that took my call said to me "Ohhhhh"......then hung up on me. There was a gentleman being interviewed here locally on the evening news talking about this Bank Card Services.....he also gets 2 or 3 calls in one day from them. And, that is harassment.

The funny thing is, I don't have any credit cards.

ROMARY · ‎04-28-2010

Make up a name similar to a law firm every time you answer the phone! Or make up a foreign-like language. Or, if you are lucky enough to speak another language, use it!

'More or less', 'Right or wrong', 'In general', and 'Just thinking out loud ' (as usual).

adelle38 · ‎03-09-2010

If they say my computer has a problem, I just say, I've never owned a computer.

It's always a victory for me when I remember why I entered a room.

JustJules · ‎06-25-2013

On 4/28/2014 ROMARY said:
Make up a name similar to a law firm every time you answer the phone! Or make up a foreign-like language. Or, if you are lucky enough to speak another language, use it!

What if funny is that our phone number is one digit off a local law firm... so we get calls for them all the time. Your post made me laugh.