Community Chat

[loveschocolate]

@this is my nic, I got that phone call today. They left a message. I deleted it. I knew they would not call. 

[shopperqvc]

@this is my nic I got the same call. I said yes I need help and you will need my passwords. They are drop dead and I hung up. The caller sounded like an asian woman and I haven't heard back from her so far. I'm sure another one will try again.

[Nightowlz]

@CLEM Next time something happens try clicking on Ctrl Alt Delete keys at the same time. It should bring up your task manager. Click on Task Manager & click on the window you want closed like your Edge Browser, click end task.

Usually if it won't let you close the page this method works.

I had the same thing happen but no voice that I know of but I keep the volume turned down unless I need it.

[this is my nic]

Loveschocolate,  That's astonishing that they left a message!  Too bad you deleted it, it might serve as evidence.  These people are relentless!  I normally don't answer my phone if I don't know the name or number on caller ID, but this must have had some ID that made me answer. 

[chrystaltree]

Yes, that's an old tactic to gain access to your computer.  I first had it happen to me about 5 or 6 years ago.  It happened a couple of times after that.  Honestly, it's a clumsy scam and I would assume that most people would know better than to call the number.  A message like that doesn't make any sense.  I think I was nervous the first time because I couldn't exit or sign off.  I just let the charge run out and it was fine when I charged up and signed on.  I rebooted and had tech support check for malware or malicious software.  There wasn't any.  There probably would have been if I called that number.  I never had the audio but I might have had the sound off.  

[LTT1]

@CLEM@chrystaltree@this is my nic@Nightowlz@shopperqvc

A family member somehow fell for it and paid $300 to “them” to “fix” their laptop.

Then, it happened again three weeks later.  Geek Squad

[denisemb]

@CLEM  I have not experienced your issues online, but the Microsoft scam calls bring out the worst in me.  I like playing with them.

1.  "We don't have a computer..."  (hang-up by MS)

2  "We don't run Microsoft, We run Linux"  (hang-up by MS)

3. (My favorite) "We just bought this house new 2 years ago and our windows are fine!? " (Another hang-up.)

Haven't had any calls in awhile...( I at least feel I'm taking some of their time from bothering other people. 

[meallen616]

@CLEM,

Thanks for posting this info. Sometimes people go into panic mode and may do something foolish!

[Krimpette]

I use a MacBook Pro.  A week or so ago, I had a glaring message on my screen that three viruses were detected, blah, blah, blah.  All looked very "official".  I turned off the computer, waited a few minutes then turned it back on.  Did a Malwarebyte scan.  Nothing found.  All is well. (Thankfully!). But those pop-ups sure do get your attention!!!!  Scary stuff!

[PilatesLover]

I got several voice mails recently, supposedly from the IRS. The beginnig was always cut out, but essentially I was going to be taken into custody if I didn't call and "resolve the problem." I didn't believe it for a minute but I feel bad for any gullible person who calls back and gives their SSN.

I did reverse phone lookups on each one, indicating they were high risk spam. And each one came from a different state! All southern states.