Community Chat

[sylviahomeatlast]

thank you so much for bringing this up--they call me about every month- 6 weeks--should I report this to ?? or homeland security? phone company? they are very rude--I'm glad, too, to find out this is going on in different parts of the country--I'm not alone--

[dooBdoo]

On 2/2/2014 sylviahomeatlast said: thank you so much for bringing this up--they call me about every month- 6 weeks--should I report this to ?? or homeland security? phone company? they are very rude--I'm glad, too, to find out this is going on in different parts of the country--I'm not alone--

Just remember all you need to do is go to your search engine and type in "Microsoft scam."

Because the problem has been around so long and is so widely known, one of the first choices you'll get is the Microsoft Safety and Security Center's article with full info.

"Cybercriminals don't just send fraudulent email messages and set up fake websites. They might also call you on the telephone and claim to be from Microsoft. They might offer to help solve your computer problems or sell you a software license. Once they have access to your computer, they can do the following:

--Trick you into installing malicious software that could capture sensitive data, such as online banking user names and passwords. They might also then charge you to remove this software.

--Take control of your computer remotely and adjust settings to leave your computer vulnerable.

--Request credit card information so they can bill you for phony services.

--Direct you to fraudulent websites and ask you to enter credit card and other personal or financial information there..."

All details, including how to report the calls, at:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/avoid-phone-scams.aspx

[chrystaltree]

Windows called???? Really....who would fall for that? I gotta tell that to Netscape the next time she calls me....lol

[sylviahomeatlast]

I haven't ever fallen for this scam ---it just sounds so bogus and like you said, why in the world would Microsoft" call ME?---thanks dooBdoo

[ennui1]

On 2/2/2014 mistriTsquirrel said:

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.

[bluecrocus]

Yep, it's an old scam. I've heard about it for years but still couldn't believe it when I actually got a call a few months ago. I was so surprised that I gasped and said 'oh no' which wound up giving him the impression he had successfully scared me and I was a hit. That was pretty funny. I let him go on a bit more and then said I knew it was a scam and he should be ashamed of himself. I rambled a few other choice words about lowlifes preying on innocent people who don't know better, etc. Then to my amazement he was so nonchalant about it and just said 'oh, so you aren't dumb'. Can you believe that?! I told him I'm at least not dumb enough to fall for his scam and hung up. I suppose I was lucky because later when I went to read more about the scam some people said their caller used foul language. I wouldn't have thought homeland security should be called. What did they tell you?

[JustJules]

On 2/2/2014 mistriTsquirrel said:

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.

Too funny!!!

Seriously OP, nobody that is legitimate is going to call your home and tell you that your computer has a virus. Heck, I had enough trouble getting through to customer service on my old computer, let alone having anyone with the foresight to know I had comp issues and call me out of the blue to "help me". Never indulge those type of calls. If you don't have caller ID to avoid them, then the moment they start talking about any of those types of things.... your computer, your bank accounts, passwords... just hang up. You owe them no politeness or explanation. Clearly your hacker had some anger control issues when they didn't get what they wanted, but this is a scam and they will try to use intimidation to get your information. You were smart to question them, but unfortunately some people do fall for it.

[Photo Donna]

This is a scam going on -- has been for years. I had one last week saying he was Microsoft support. Similar thing -- wanting me to sign on to my computer. I asked a bunch of questions -- like which computer were they getting messages from -- LOL

I hung up on him and he called me back! So then I said, I am looking at the Microsoft.com website and see they are warning me about you. I told him he was a scam and he was not going to scam me. He told me if I hung up that he would just keep calling me back. So then I said I guess you will miss out on scamming anyone today if you keep calling me -- and I hung up again. He did not call back.

I have warned my mother and anyone else I know of that may be had by this (mostly elderly friends who are not very computer savvy).

[radimage]

According to my emails...Russian girls want to date me.

Seems legit.

[apple1964]

Windows calling you on the phone? Never happen, not in this lifetime... its a scam. And not a very good one.