Microsoft Scam

LAsh-Say on 24/07/2013 - 19:05

I just had this phone call and caller claimed to be from Microsoft. When I enquired about their address, I was advised that they are based in Melbourne. They insist that I had downloaded an illegal file and they are going to help me get rid of it.

I repeatedly asked them what the file was and got no reply. He insisted that only once I had typed in the eventwvr he would show me the malicious activities in my PC. When I told him that I am not going to run anything, the caller got frustrated and started yelling and arguing but I hang up.

Has anyone else faced the same scam?

General Discussion

Comments

  • Moots on 24/07/2013 - 19:06
    +1

    This is old news, I mean really really old news.

    I can't believe there are people still not aware of this scam; it's scary to think it to be honest. This thread was started in 2010; but this method of scamming is still circulating. Obviously with your case.

    The Age recently did an article just two days ago with the Australian Police warning of this scam

    • 1bug on 13/03/2014 - 17:29
      +2

      Some tips from ACMA (Australian Communications & Media Authority).

      OUTSMART the SCAMMERS

      The impact of phone and email scams can be devastating.
      Use these tips to help you SPOT and STOP scams.

      SUSPECT: Don’t accept anything at face value — if it sounds unlikely or too good to be true, it probably is.

      THINK: Recognise the signs — if you’re being pressured to act, disclose personal details or send money to a stranger, it's almost certainly a scam.

      REPORT: Act quickly — tell SCAMwatch and stop scammers in their tracks.

      IGNORE: Never respond. Just hang up, or delete the SMS or email after reporting.

      You can report scams to www.scamwatch.gov.au or by calling 1300 795 995.

      http://www.acma.gov.au/~/media/mediacomms/Images/acmascammer…
      http://www.acma.gov.au/Citizen/Stay-protected/My-online-worl…

      Tags:
      Microsoft scam
      Windows scam
      Telstra scam
      scam , fraud , imposter , fake , rip-off , ripoff

  • retiredfeline on 24/07/2013 - 19:11

    Did they guy have a foreign accent?

    • Ash-Say on 24/07/2013 - 19:16

      Yes, he had indian accent. Sorry guys If I have tried to dig something old but I wasn't aware of it and just to share my experience and alarm other people

      No offence :(

      • RockyRaccoon on 24/07/2013 - 19:44
        +4

        Just tell them you cant find the start button, say is it under the Apple icon?

        Or laugh at them and tell them how they cant be that clever a tech support person as they should have known you have a Mac.

        Even though you own a PC, they cant tell…

        They will hang up real quick.

        Oh and dont apologise for posting here, these scammers still use this trick because it works and not everyone knows. So its worth re-alerting others.

  • Ash-Say on 24/07/2013 - 19:14

    Well, I didn't hear about it before and luckily I just got away with it. If I had not typed in eventwvr, I would have fell prey to this scam.

  • retiredfeline on 24/07/2013 - 19:28
    +1

    Well now you know, next time you can string the scammer along. Even something as simple as saying OMG I have to go to the toilet, be back in a second, and then leave the phone off the hook. :D

  • SuperMick on 24/07/2013 - 19:42
    +6

    I had the same thing, he was on the phone for about 10 minutes. I agreed with everything that he said, then "is your computer on", "no" from me, 'can you turn it on now" from him. "no", "why", "I don't have a computer".
    If he could have punched me down the phone, he would have.

    • holdenmg on 25/07/2013 - 13:23

      First I tell them I don't have a computer.
      Then I tell them I don't have a phone (pause for effect) lol
      Then I hang up.

  • KBZ on 24/07/2013 - 19:55
    +1

    Just troll the crap out of them, let them know you'll be right back and ask them to hold the line etc.
    They deserve it.

  • nvox on 24/07/2013 - 23:03

    They were shut down but felt like a month before they started up again.

    Australia helps foil global 'Microsoft Impostor' scam
    http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/consumer-security/austral…

    Microsoft: Avoid tech support phone scams
    http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/avoid-phone…

    There are also telephone scams posing as charities and as the tax dept etc …

    Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC): SCAMwatch website http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/

  • Forfiet on 25/07/2013 - 00:57

    tell them you have linux or a mac and have fun! :)

  • drdolphin on 25/07/2013 - 10:49
    +1

    Up until recently, I would get these at least once a week. They call from around 4:30 - 7. At first I'd hang up, or give them a mouthful of abuse, but if you've got time its much more fun to stuff them around (and it also makes them less likely to call you again apparantly).

    If you go along with them, but just be slow its great. Tell them you need to go to the toilet, need to turn your computer on etc wastes around 10 minutes of their time (while you're off watching TV). Then, they will tell you to hit the windows key. Ask where it is on the keyboard, and they'll say its on the bottom left. Then ask them which one is left. Listening to them try to explain what is left and right is lots of fun (try it, its impossible to teach someone left and right over the phone).

    Anyway, they HATE their time wasted and seem to not bother calling back once you've done this well

    • tonka on 25/07/2013 - 13:00

      Love the left and right thing. Definately wanna try that.
      I usually go straight for the lecture about how they should be ashamed of themselves for preying on pensioners and being thieves.

  • djones145 on 14/03/2014 - 08:28

    i got one of those calls at a holiday home
    i just unhooked the phone

  • Callison on 16/03/2014 - 16:19
    +1

    I had a rather short conversation with an 'Microsoft employee' the other day, figured i may as well share my experience here as relevant.
    Caller: Hello, am I from Microsoft and I'm calling to fix your computer.
    Callison: What version of Windows am I running?
    And without hesitation, he hung up and didn't call back.

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