Community Chat

[NjsKillingme]

I have a virus on my computer and they want me to sign on to my computer so they can help me. They didn't know my name, they keep calling me ma'am. I questioned them and they didn't like it....they got very nasty and called me a christian devil. They also said a lot of other things, not so nice things...I called homeland security because of what they said. has any one else here received a call like this ? Of course they are hackers, so I'm trying to get the word out to as many people as I can so no one gets hacked. They want to take control of your desktop ...please do not fall for this.

[ennui1]

Are you sure this wasn't a high school prank?

[mistriTsquirrel]

On 2/2/2014 ennui1 said:

Are you sure this wasn't a high school prank?

If it was a high school prank, the caller would've whispered "I can see you through your windows," followed by some heavy breathing, and then laughter.

[onewhiteSparrow]

The News reported that some hackers are calling people and telling them they need to connect to their computer to help them with the virus they have on their computer. If people fall for this they connect to their computer and they then have control of the computer.

[esmerelda]

I got a similar call many months ago. He didn't get nasty. I told him I was uncomfortable with what he was saying and I hung up.

ETA...Don't recall he said anything about a virus...think he was going to ""make it run better.""

[BellaPaprika]

We never answer our phone. I love caller ID.

[dooBdoo]

On 2/2/2014 NjsKillingme said:

I have a virus on my computer and they want me to sign on to my computer so they can help me. They didn't know my name, they keep calling me ma'am. I questioned them and they didn't like it....they got very nasty and called me a christian devil. They also said a lot of other things, not so nice things...I called homeland security because of what they said. has any one else here received a call like this ? Of course they are hackers, so I'm trying to get the word out to as many people as I can so no one gets hacked. They want to take control of your desktop ...please do not fall for this.

NjsKillingme, This is a known scam that's been around for many years. The callers do their best to install malware, gain remote access to your computer and/or get a credit card number from you to get your computer "repaired."

Unfortunately, since the majority of them are located outside the USA, the FCC has had difficulty putting a halt to the dangerous scam.

It's good to bring it up, because many people are unaware and still fall prey to this.

[sylviahomeatlast]

I've had that call--since they don't know my name or anything--and they're from India (it sounds) I hang up now--they want to argue--if I get a virus, I'll have it taken care of locally--beware

[Marienkaefer2]

I never answer the phone if I don't recognize the number.

[dooBdoo]

On 2/2/2014 Marienkaefer2 said:

I never answer the phone if I don't recognize the number.

I don't either, Marienkaefer2, and that's a good policy.

Unfortunately, they're using "caller ID spoofing" so the ID displays something like "Windows" (some have reported seeing "Microsoft" or "MSN"). It appears to be valid, and it tricks some people into picking up.