Netty
 Regular Plants Contributor
Southern Ontario zone 5a
Posts: 10320
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| Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 4:29 pm Post subject: Someone tried to scam me! Pretending to be from Microsoft |
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I just had a phone call from someone who claimed he was calling from Microsoft. He said that my computer was sending serious error messages to them. The man had an accent and was a little hard to understand at first, so I kept saying 'pardon'? Finally I realized that he was talking about my 'windows computer' and that it was 'sending error messages to Microsoft.' He said my computer would crash and he would help me fix it...all I had to do was download a program which he would help me do. It's a good thing I am very suspicious by nature...I asked him if he thought I was an idiot...he said 'no Maam, I just want to fix your computer'. I told him nice try and don't call back and then hung up on him. After doing some research, I discovered that these people are making these calls to people all over the world! Here is a link I found about it.http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/english/documents/anti-virus_press%20release.pdf
The man knew my name, which made it very creepy.
DO NOT GIVE ANYONE ACCESS TO YOUR COMPUTER!
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toni
Administrator
Plants Moderator
Regular Plants Contributor
North Texas, Zone 8a
Posts: 11712
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| Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 4:40 pm Post subject: |
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And thousands of people will fall for that scam and lose every penny they have if they have banking information on the computer. Good thing you are suspicious, there are many of these scams going around and newer ones every day.
At some point your name and phone number has been sold by a company that you did business with or has been hacked to get that info. They don't necessarily know that you use Windows or even have a computer, but the odds of both are in their favor.
Yep, even if the repair man is legitimate I would never give anyone control of my computer. Well, except the computer guy I have been married to for almost 32 years 
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Frank
Administrator
Originally Galway, Ireland
Posts: 12564
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| Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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Netty we had the exact same call here. They had my Dad's name and also my brother's name I believe. Luckily I was around when they got the call and being non-technical my Dad passed the phone along to me. I instantly knew it was a scam and told him no thanks. I'd love to know the source of their phone number database. Probably using the phonebook.
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eileen
Forum Moderator
Scotland
Posts: 18528
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| Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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I had repeated calls like this for a while Netty. I was immediatly suspicious and asked them for their number so that I could ring them back. They hung up. After that as soon as I heard from them I simply put the 'phone down on them.
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Jerry Sullivan
Regular Plants Contributor
Chelmsford MA
Posts: 3063
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| Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 3:42 am Post subject: |
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Interesting scam, when ever there is a perceived weakness, there is usually someone trying to exploit it. The best defense is never give out info to anyone who calls.
Jerry
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koszta kid
Iowa
Posts: 591
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| Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 10:46 am Post subject: |
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Last year got scam call. Said Todd my oldest Son needed $$$. to call this 800-number. I googled it-not toll free like most 800 numbers. Cost $300+
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Droopy
Regular Plants Contributor
Western Norway
Posts: 9336
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| Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 12:39 pm Post subject: |
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I'm glad you're suspicious, and rightly so it seems. 
I god a text message informing me I had won 1,7 million GB pounds, and to visit a web page to claim my prize.  Yeah, right. I'm Norwegian, we're rather gullible but not that gullible. I am very glad we've got sites like Hoax Slayer that issue warnings on scams.
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koszta kid
Iowa
Posts: 591
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| Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 3:18 pm Post subject: |
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Lately stores want my SS number for reward $$$. Said no way.At Sears reward $$$ on dryer and window AC amounted to $1.20 . Not worth the risk.
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