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Telephone scam
Thread poster: lindaellen (X)
lindaellen (X)
lindaellen (X)

Aug 29, 2011

I just got a telephone call from a woman claiming she was from Microsoft and that my PC was sending all kinds of error messages and therefore had a nasty virus. The phone connection was poor, so she repeated her script twice. She wanted me to turn on my PC, and at that moment, I informed her that I was the babysitter and that she should give me her name, phone number, and email and I would have the owner of the PC contact her when she returns.

She gave me all this info and her email... See more
I just got a telephone call from a woman claiming she was from Microsoft and that my PC was sending all kinds of error messages and therefore had a nasty virus. The phone connection was poor, so she repeated her script twice. She wanted me to turn on my PC, and at that moment, I informed her that I was the babysitter and that she should give me her name, phone number, and email and I would have the owner of the PC contact her when she returns.

She gave me all this info and her email was a gmail - I'm sure Microsoft uses gmail!!!

Next I tried to contact Microsoft to inform them of the scam, but both by phone or email I could not figure out how to jump through all their hoops. So, friends, be warned.

best wishes from

the babysitter ▲ Collapse
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 16:55
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Thanks! Aug 29, 2011

If we got a call from Microsoft everytime we have a nasty virus...
 
Jennifer Forbes
Jennifer Forbes  Identity Verified
Local time: 16:55
French to English
+ ...
In memoriam
A well-known scam Aug 29, 2011

I get these "phone calls from Microsoft" quite often - always with a pronounced Indian accent - saying that they "know" that I'm having terrible problems with my computer.
This is a well-known scam that has been going on for some years.
They want you to give them access to your computer (yes!!) so that they can "remove all the viruses". Google for it and you'll see. What they actually do is add some viruses and then charge you for kindly removing them. Nice.
Don't fall for it, ... See more
I get these "phone calls from Microsoft" quite often - always with a pronounced Indian accent - saying that they "know" that I'm having terrible problems with my computer.
This is a well-known scam that has been going on for some years.
They want you to give them access to your computer (yes!!) so that they can "remove all the viruses". Google for it and you'll see. What they actually do is add some viruses and then charge you for kindly removing them. Nice.
Don't fall for it, anyone, please.
Put the phone down on the table and leave them hanging on the line.
Jenny ▲ Collapse
 


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