ALERT: Microsoft Phone Call Scam

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Ron

Well-Known Member
Forum Moderator
Jan 25, 2011
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France
Today I had a call from someone who claimed he was from Microsoft Technical Centre and was quite forceful in trying to get me to log on to my computer to avoid my computer crashing due to a virus infection. I said how do you know and he claimed my IP Address had alerted them that my computer was infected. I said in that case you could have emailed me. He tried to scare me into logging on immediately. I refused and told him that someone else would have to do it. He said you are xxxxx aren't and you live at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (ie info that can be obtained from the telephone directory). I said look I can't do it give me your telephone Number and I'll get someone to call you back. I managed to get this number: 0044 1618189984. I said that's a UK No and he said yes we are based in Manchester

Well, there is only one Microsoft Office in Manchester and their Number is: 0161 932 6141.

He kept on insisting I go onto my computer and log on while he was on the phone. Eventually I said NO. I do not take instructions over the phone and I will verify with Microsoft that this is a genuine call, at which point he hung up. He had a very strong Indian accent and could be quite intimidating to some poor sod.
 
We have had several of these calls over recent months Ron - usually during the working week when I am in the office, so they have always got my wife on the phone who is not the most computer-literate person in the world. Luckily she listened to me when I told her to never do anything on the computer that someone on the phone tells her to do. Recently they tried it one weekend and my wife handed them straight over to me. Woman's voice, strong Indian accent, claiming to work for "Windows". After pointing out to her that Windows was a product rather than a company, we established that she in fact "worked" for Microsoft. I decided to play along out of intelectual curiosity. She told me that my version of Windows had been reporting various security breeches from my IP address. After asking her lots of questions she passed me over to her boss who tried strong-arming me. Wanted me to open internet explorer and type in a URL. The phone call ended with me using foul and abusive language. They've tried once or twice since but we just hang up now.
 
<laugh> I think if he hadn't hung up he would have received that treatment Oddy.

PS I have reported them to Manchester Police.
 
This scam has been going on for a while - they got my mother in law last year. Friends have also been targeted and take great pleasure in winding the scammers up by either playing completely dumb ("oh I don't normally use the computer. You'll have to explain how I switch it on!", etc) or by claiming to work for Microsoft themselves!
 
I was thinking of playing the I work for Microsoft and start chatting. I could go to town. Can't wait.
 
This scam has been going on for a while - they got my mother in law last year. Friends have also been targeted and take great pleasure in winding the scammers up by either playing completely dumb ("oh I don't normally use the computer. You'll have to explain how I switch it on!", etc) or by claiming to work for Microsoft themselves!

<laugh><laugh> I almost want them to phone me!