Pretty sure this is a scam...

Julie928 · ‎04-08-2013

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?

eddyandme · ‎09-24-2011

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

pattypud72 · ‎04-28-2010

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.

hoosieroriginal · ‎03-04-2012

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

Bri36 · ‎02-20-2017

It's a scam. Just restart your computer.

That never happens with a Mac

Perkup · ‎03-09-2010

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.

Lostandscared · ‎02-05-2011

@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?

Nightowlz · ‎03-11-2010

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.

Perkup · ‎03-09-2010

@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.

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

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.