Microsoft scam

Cuba Libre

Well-Known Member
I get a call from the scammers about every two weeks. Considering some of the things I have said about their lineage, they must have thick hides to keep coming back for more !

So-called Microsoft scam hits Okanagan
Kelowna

File # Multiple
2013-08-26 10:29 PDT

A well known ploy to pilfer your pennies has reared its ugly head again in Kelowna recently as police have received a number of reports of the so-called Microsoft scam.

The scam consists of a cold-call from a person claiming to represent a well-known brand, such as Microsoft, who then proceeds to tell the victim they are checking into a computer problem, infection or virus that has been detected on their computer. The scammer gets the victim to give up remote access to the their computer and will then spend some time on the computer trying to demonstrate where the 'problems' are in order to convince the victim to pay a fee (usually hundreds of dollars) for a service that will 'fix' the computer.

While there is probably nothing wrong with their computer, the scammer has tricked the person into believing a problem exists. This leads to your credit card information being compromised as it is given to the scammer. In some cases, the 'service' they offer may even be the installation of malware or spyware, making your computer a fountain of information for them.

Police have received at least four reports of this scam over the past few days. The callers have been using very aggressive tactics and have even called back multiple times. Do not give in to their fraud as you will only be out the cash you paid for the phoney service. Never give out personal or financial information over the phone as you never know how that information will be used. And never allow someone you don’t know to have remote access to your computer, no matter how legitimate their sales pitch sounds!

For more information on frauds or to report, please go to External link, opens in a new windowwww.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca

Released by

Cst. Kris Clark
Media Relations Officer
Kelowna RCMP
 
yep...I get those all the time.....

I like to play around with 'em....

First I let them explain the whole thing....pretending that I don't understand exactly what the problem is.......

Then when they say 'can you turn your computer on for us?' I say "sure'.....then I just leave the phone unattended on the countertop and walk away and go do something else for a long long while......

Then come back, listen, and if I hear they are still on there...I hang up.
 
yep...I get those all the time.....

I like to play around with 'em....

First I let them explain the whole thing....pretending that I don't understand exactly what the problem is.......

Then when they say 'can you turn your computer on for us?' I say "sure'.....then I just leave the phone unattended on the countertop and walk away and go do something else for a long long while......

Then come back, listen, and if I hear they are still on there...I hang up.

I like this idea, it wastes their time.
 
Have had these scam artists phone a number of times. From the accent it sounds like India. I tell them it is a scam and fraud and not to call back. They hang up immediately but don’t seem to learn they are wasting their time and don’t remove you from their call list. Maybe next time I will just see how long I can keep them on the phone without actually giving them computer access or critical credit card info etc.

The phone companies don’t put a stop to it because they make a lot of money off these scammers who must have huge accounts calling worldwide.

I don’t know why Microsoft with its billions and a global reach does not put a stop to it. It has to be hurting their reputation and may be the last straw for some victims pushing them over to their competitors.

With the Windows 8 disaster it will not take much to push people elsewhere. Now that Ballmer is toast perhaps they will get back to an operating system UI people actually want.
 
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usually the ones I get sound Asian.......but the last call I got there was a guy on there with a British accent who said that it was actually Microsoft calling and that my computer was infected.....

he could have been anybody........told me he could give me my I.P. address, but that didn't sell it for me......

I'm not giving anybody access to my computer over the phone no matter who they say they are......
 
Lol !
If you get these calls and want to help put them out of "business" then you MUST keep them on the phone as long as possible, sounds stupid but the longer you waste their time the less people they can scam in a day.

Here's what I do:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk2-Q8dn68U

A lot of people tell them to get stuffed then hang up, that only frees them up to call more unwary people and successfully scam them.....keep them on the line ! ...have fun !
 
Yup they finally called me today.
Spent 1.5 hours this morning and another 1 hour just before lunch
So 2.5 hours of wasted time that they can't spend on a another victim.

I found that they wanted me to download remote control software so they could control my PC.
I found it useful to open the websites to find screenshots of the steps to install the software.
That way I did not have to load the software and still be able to answer the correct questions.
After failing to get a connection with the first remote control software (Teamviewer) we tried another.
So on we went with a new software called AMMYY.
Great website with more screenshots of how to install on the "Screen Shots / First Run" tab.
After failing to download and install a few time we finally go it working.
Then for some reason (Yea right) my IP address seem to not work for him.
How could that be... I did everything he asked... must be something on his end...
My Microsoft Tech (yea right) accent was very heavy.
His poor English caused me to make plenty mistakes and we need to start all over many times.
Even had to reboot the computer a few time to start fresh.
My computer is running so slow that it takes a good 10 minutes to reboot (:))
That was a great time to put him on hold to grab another coffee.
I need to go meet the fellas so I got him to give me his number so we could try again later.
Thanks Shane ... 408-498-3608 I'll call as soon as I have more time... (not)

Don't try this unless you know what your doing....
Just tell him you are aware of the scam and so is your whole community.
You could also BS him with caller ID with the number I got.
Perhaps say you are reporting him to the cops.
That way he might delete your number from his phone list...
GLG
 
WOW Jannet has just called me (same number)
I have to go start my computer.... She is on hold while I go to my office to crank it up....
:cool:

Oh boy .. right in the middle of things and the front door bell rings...
Sorry Jannet I'll have to put you on hold...

What bad luck... right in the middle of things I get a cell phone call.
Back on hold you go Jannet ... wait for me please...

What a trooper that Jannet is... That was my wife she needs me to email a file from our computer... I'll have to exit what we are doing so I can help her... I'll just put you on hold ....;)

Darn.... Jannet hung up... and I was going to get her to help me with my email....
Maybe she will phone back... total time 30 minutes.....

She called back... how nice ... I can trust her right...
30 minutes and counting... oh oh time for a reboot...

Dang where are my glasses... those number are hard to see.
She needs an 8 digit ID and an IP address
1877 1344 and IP 192.168.0.1
Back on hold till I find those glasses..... time now 45 minutes

Oh Jannet .... no no sir don't reboot every time you have a problem...
Oops .... it's taking a lot of time ... slow reboot ....

What great news she can fix my laptop also....
I'll just put her on hold while I grab it.... 1 Hour and counting...

Dang .. she gone... hope she phones back....
Yup she phoned back....
For some reason she thinks I'm wasting her time....
Better get a better IP address as she said she needs a 9 digit.
I gave here 7 then 8 and now the jig is up....

Maybe someone else will call.... total time 1hr 15m
 
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pajahehu.jpg
 
http://www.vancouversun.com/busines...elist+Steven+Galloway+does/9302300/story.html

Got a chuckle out of this one. He kept him on two days on and off; now that is dedication and funny. How naïve or seriously mentally impaired does one have to be to fall for these criminal phone and e-mail/message type scams; especially when they are as poorly executed as this one? They keep doing it so they must be making money off some. Click on the link in the newspaper story.
 
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My standard reply to ALL cold callers is "I'm busy right now. Can I have your home phone number and the time that you eat dinner? I'll call you back." That seems to work in all cases.
 
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