Just a heads up for others really, and hopefully a little bit of reassurance for myself at the same time. MrsB took a phone call this evening from a person supposedly representing Microsoft. At that very time I was sat downstairs on the PC with Word 2013 and Adobe premiere 11 crashing more times than YT. As said Lady on the phone stated she was from Microsoft and they had received several error messages from my computer 'they even gave me my computer serial number' and that they could clear these errors. Long story short due to the issues stated above I briefly allowed access to the computer, briefly that was until I had the iPad and googled the scenario. The. moment I saw SCAM headline I closed the remote program they had started this shutting them out of my computer, She even said that I'd closed it by 'mistake' and would have to go through the process again The second I questioned them they hung up, strange that? The upshot, when and if they gain access, they plant Trojans and basically take over/hijack your PC and demand money for its release. Loads on tinterweb pertaining to this. Think I had a close call on this one. As a precaution I dived into the computer in the lounge and changed my online banking passwords and email etc just in case. Both computers running fine, and no ones put any money into my bank. Bastards!!!! Yours Gary Gullible
Father In Law got caught by this last year. W**kers at the bank refused to refund the money they scammed out of him because they were a "legitimate" business. Found out the other day that they were amongst a bunch of other companies that the US authorities did for being scammers and so the F-I-L is having another go at the bank. I got the F-I-L to bring me his PC and I rebuilt it from scratch as I couldn't guarantee that they hadn't planted a root kit.
Pleased to say I got out 'saw sense?' before they locked the computer. I'm no techno head and I'm pretty positive they must target an age group that are shall we say more vulnerable. It's not until I started to read the reviews on google did I start to realise just how lucky I have been. I've run spy ware and virus programes and they show no conflict. So really am hoping I got away with it?
I had the same a while ago and just played the guy like a twat, kept telling the bloke that I am new to computers and not sure where to find the windows on my computer or my desktop, looked loads of times but both my computer and desk had no Windows as far as I could see, was amazed how calm he kept while trying to explain about where my Windows was Finally I got fed up and put the phone down, I build, install and configure my own pcs and never have any problem with Windows But I normally just don't answers calls from strange looking numbers lol
Yep know where your coming from Simon. In my defence 'no excuse i know' as said Gill took the call and it all pretty much tied in with me sitting at the computer having 'issues' the timing was amazing a billion to one chance I guess. But it shows it happens and remains too, and there are still some gullible peeps around Just going to post this link, I got a bit into it but not as far as this thankfully What happens if you play along with a Microsoft 'tech support' scam? (Wired UK)
They have been pulling this sort of scam for a while now, I got a call about a month ago with regards to a so called virus issue with my windows computer but they hung up when I replied which computer are you inquiring about I have a few of them what model are you talking about! Most of them want you to install or start remote administration applications so they can take control of your computer and do with it what they wish, whither that be copying your files or installing applications that will allow them to monitor or control your system again without your input or knowledge.
Thanks Craig. As said, relieved I really think I dodged the bullet just in time. As a precaution I have just sent my bank details to Mohamed who will watch over my accounts for any unusual activity just incase
If i ever ger a call like this or a cold sales call on the phone ( mobile or land ) i always ask them to wait whilst i go turn the gas down on the cooker, 10 mins later i pick up the phone and they have disappeared amazing that!!
it drops into place now.. i had someone ring up with this and tell me they could sort out my windows .. i said best of luck mate i am on a mac.
This has been doing the rounds for a few years. I had it a year or 2 ago and told them to sod off, But always good to make everyone else aware
