Microsoft virus scam - watch out

Pighunter · Post by **Pighunter** » Tue 15 Jul 2014 11:01

Had a call from an indian call centre yesterday claiming to be from Microsoft, having detected some serious viruses on my computer. They knew my name address and telephone number and said they had my licence number.

I was given instructions to open some log which showed various threats they said would not be removed by anti virus software and that their technicians would remove for me.

I was then passed to the 'technical manager' who gave me a Manchester number I could contact him on and asked me to allow them access to the computer to make the changes. They logged on and he then sent me to a payment screen with no apparent security lock to add my card details which I queried and he said it was 3d technology which made it secure. I then said I'd call him back and investigated the number which came up on Google as a scammers number.

When I went back to the remote access screen they were downloading files from my computer so I cancelled it immediately, shut down and ran the virus scanner and changed all my passwords.

This morning a new icon was on the computer and having looked at the contents which include a contract, this is with an outfit called Ruben Marketing Ventures based in New Delhi not Microsoft at all.

Beware!

Sue · Post by **Sue** » Tue 15 Jul 2014 13:18

http://forum.anglophone-direct.com/seto ... -scam.html

We were contacted yet again this morning. I just said we dont have a computer, goodbye.

montgolfiere · Post by **montgolfiere** » Tue 15 Jul 2014 14:11

i either just immediately put the phone down without saying word, or if the TV is on i just hold the phone to the speaker on the TV....that normally works. i also use this technique for all 'French Cold Calls'.... the English Soundtrack is usually enough for them.

russell · Post by **russell** » Tue 15 Jul 2014 15:43

There are likely to be logfiles somewhere on your computer which will give details of what they were doing. If you can find them it may be worth sending them to the Gendarmerie and the UK Police.

The logs are kept in C:\WINDOWS\system32\config for XP but I think it depends on the Windows version. Sorry I am no longer too familiar with Windows having changed to using Linux about six years ago.

Russell.

Nigel · Post by **Nigel** » Tue 15 Jul 2014 16:32

I had a casll a couple of days ago from this crowd ...I let him go on and said I was very concerned so I wanted his help...but unfortunatley every time he gave me something to type in I made a "mistake" ....after about 5 mins he just hung up...well I am retired so I have got plenty of time to play

montgolfiere · Post by **montgolfiere** » Tue 15 Jul 2014 17:32

maybe we should all buy 'Policemans Whistles' !!!! AND BLOW!!

martyn94 · Post by **martyn94** » Tue 15 Jul 2014 21:55

I am sure that someone has researched it, but I doubt that anything is so effective as just hanging up after the few seconds necessary to decide that it's a call you do not want. Though it can take longer: French cold-callers seem to be almost as inept at starting phone calls as French people generally: "Allo...Allo...Allo oui...".

Merisin · Post by **Merisin** » Wed 16 Jul 2014 07:27

Nuisance calls seem to crop up regularly on here. We were warned about them when we first had a phone but thought the person who told us was being over dramatic. So we ignored his advice and soon found out that he was right . The hard way. This was a bit of a wake up call and we took action. It worked.

These days you really do need to put in place a phone and internet security plan. Unless you enjoy answering unwanted calls! And worse.

Mary

opas · Post by **opas** » Wed 16 Jul 2014 13:22

I stick by the household rule, if I want it or need it i will look for it.

If someone phones me offering a servicei I ask them to put it in writing and hang up, if it is rally important they will call me back...
Health ins, renouvable energy,damp poof , i have them all but someone takingover my computer.....that is scary! I have had that hapened when i couldnt download a driver for a printer or a scanner , i found that spooky .

Consider me warned!

Sue · Post by **Sue** » Tue 22 Jul 2014 09:24

Had a Windows scam call on the 15th July and another this morning. Very English sounding name with a very Asian sounding accent.

BT · Post by BT » Wed 27 Aug 2014 13:52

Now making calls into Ireland. My wife received a call from a "gentleman" with an Indian acccent saying that he had heard that I was having an issue with my laptop. He hung up. BT

montgolfiere · Post by **montgolfiere** » Wed 27 Aug 2014 16:16

they are still at it.....i was at a client in Durban who had the call yesterday morning. i could advise him to 'Hang up'.
I use a variety of responses depending how 'Grumpy' i am feeling.....my favourite is the english sound from the TV getting louder and Louder to any French Cold Callers..... !!!

Pighunter · Post by **Pighunter** » Tue 30 Sep 2014 12:18

Just had another call from these scumbags and hung up.

Do the same if they call you!

russell · Post by **russell** » Tue 30 Sep 2014 17:00

I just tell them that I use Linux not Windoze so can't have a virus and they hang up

Russell.

martyn94 · Post by **martyn94** » Tue 30 Sep 2014 20:34

russell wrote:I just tell them that I use Linux not Windoze so can't have a virus and they hang up

Russell.

Why on earth would you give them the minor pleasure of hanging up on you when you can hang up on them - about 10 seconds into their spiel, once you have heard it before, as the world and her dog must have done by now?

Geoman · Post by **Geoman** » Tue 30 Sep 2014 21:27

Engage them in a silly conversation if you have spare time, it's amazing how much rubbish you can say & they keep agreeing with you lol

Sue · Post by **Sue** » Wed 01 Oct 2014 09:15

They have changed their spiel. Instead of saying they are from Windows they are now saying they are from the computer maintenance department. They have just telephoned us AGAIN!

russell · Post by **russell** » Wed 01 Oct 2014 12:21

Ask them where you should send the invoice for your time

Russell.

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