Email from PatR...
well, folks........here we go again.
This morning about 7am, I got up to make coffee.......got a phone call. It was foreign accent, telling me my computer was sending a
message that there was a problem in the system and needed to have tech support from Microsoft to fix it. They were calling to ask me
to turn on my computer, so they could help me fix it.
I told them I was not ready to turn it on (leading them on a bit to find out what they would say......I was already alert for a fraud). He
insisted on me turning on my computer, I told him no........I was not ready to turn it on. I told him I had virus protection. He said it
was not a virus, but an internal microsoft computer problem that needed to be fixed or I could lose my computer completely.
I told him I was not ready, that I was getting ready to cook breakfast. He said you cooking breakfast........I said yes. He said he
would call back at another time, I said fine, and hung up.
Well, knowing me......I got on the computer, did a search of "does Microsoft make calls to warn you of a computer problem"
Here is what I found..............PLEASE DO NOT FALL FOR ANY CALLS LIKE THIS. BE LEARY OF ANY SUSPECTED SCAMS!
Pat
Avoid Phone Scams | Cybercriminal Tech Support Scam ... - ...
www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/avoid-phone-scams.aspx
They might offer to help solve your computer problems or sell you a software ... Neither Microsoft nor our partners make unsolicited phone calls (also known as ... Once you do this, your computer and your personal information is vulnerable.
does microsoft or a microsoft call center ever ...
answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_xp-security/does-m...
Apr 28, 2011 ... Microsoft will not make unsolicited phone calls to help you with your ... to be from Microsoft, and offering to help solve their computer problems.
PC Professionals Blog » #6 Warning! Microsoft Does NOT Make ...
blog.pcprofessionals.net/6-warning-microsoft-does-not-make-house-calls-new-...
Jun 20, 2013 ... #6 Warning! Microsoft Does NOT Make House Calls. ... They might offer to help solve your computer problems or sell you a software license.
Here is a bit of info from the first link:
Avoid tech support phone scams
Avoid tech support phone scams
Cybercriminals don't just send fraudulent email messages and set up fake websites. They might also call you on the telephone and claim to be from Microsoft. They might offer to help solve your computer problems or sell you a software license. Once they have access to your computer, they can do the following:
Trick you into installing malicious software that could capture sensitive data, such as online banking user names and passwords. They might also then charge you to remove this software.
Take control of your computer remotely and adjust settings to leave your computer vulnerable.
Request credit card information so they can bill you for phony services.
Direct you to fraudulent websites and ask you to enter credit card and other personal or financial information there.
Neither Microsoft nor our partners make unsolicited phone calls (also known as cold calls) to charge you for computer security or software fixes.
Comments
What an interesting trick by using Microsoft. When they call back ask them if they prefer Dinners club or Mobil credit cards, I usually have fun with them until they scream.