Attention: Scambook users, if you potentially receive a phone call from someone claiming to work at Microsoft, HANG UP! Or have you received a call form them claiming they found a virus on your account? If so, it’s a scam!
How this scam works:
An alleged “Microsoft” representative (the scammer) will call you and say they are making courtesy phone calls to all their users alerting them of any “warnings” or “errors” that were found on your computer. We know what you’re thinking, “sounds fishy.” Always go with your gut instinct, if it sounds weird or too good to be true then it probably is.
Some of our users have already received phone calls and said this, “I kept the guy talking on the phone, whilst I checked out the website and phone numbers for known scams.”
This alleged “Microsoft” representative will then go on to instruct you to input the following commands over the phone. DO NOT DO THIS! We repeat, do not do this.
The scammer will then try to gain remote access to your computer and install malicious software. Mostly likely they may also ask for your credit card information to bill you for “repair services.” That is simply outrageous, first they call to alert you and then they want to bill you for their “amazing customer service?” We don’t think so.
According to Microsoft’s Safety and Security Center website it says that “Microsoft does not make unsolicited phone calls to help you fix your computer.”
Alright, Scambook users! Here are the steps that need to be taken for damage control if this happened to you already:
– If you received this call and gave them remote access to your computer, immediately run anti-malware and anti-virus programs, right now.
– Also, contact your bank immediately if you gave them your credit card or bank account information.
For those of you who have been lucky to not encounter this horrific experience here are the steps to stay safe in the long run:
– Install firewall and anti-virus programs to protect your computer and personal information. Update these programs frequently.
– Update your operating system and web browser software on a regular bases.
– Always protect your passwords by keeping them in a safe place. Remember, your passwords should have at least eight characters and should contain numbers, symbols and letters. Create different passwords for each online account that you have.
– Never ever give personal or financial information to unsolicited callers.
See Scambook’s blog about avoiding phishing attacks.
See Also
FBI Alert: Telephone Collection or Warrant for your Arrest
Facebook Hoax Alert: Fake Virus Warning Scares Microsoft Windows Users
Watch Out for the New Medical Alert Phone Scam
That Microsoft scam’s been on the news pretty much lately and it’s amazing how scammers are still able to carry out this scam even until today. But I think people are smarter now. With all the warnings and reminders posted everywhere, especially at consumer complaint sites such as Callercenter.com, these scammers don’t stand a chance.
Of course THE BEST way to prevent this is to:
1 – Install Linux
2 – When the M$ ‘representative’ calls, laugh and tell them you run Linux
3 – Promtply tell them to go Eff Off
🙂
This is insane!! Two days ago I was looking for something to help speed up my laptop…I decided to go with Speedy PC Pro…well when the guy got on the phone he told me right away that he had to have remote access to my laptop…I really didn’t think anything of it because we do it all the time at work!!! He then proceeded to go into all these different things and there was SO MANY errors and failed attempts I couldn’t believe it…He told me that my computer needed help ASAP!!! After he downloaded my software he transfered me to the MICROSOFT people…He told me that it was gonna cost me about 250.00 to fix my laptop but even then I would have to have them put me on a schedule for every three months at 250.00 each pop!!! After I was able to breathe again I told them I couldn’t afford it and that I would just have to live with what was happening to my laptop…He said oh I thought you had the money to pay right now…Well this program will fix most of the problems but you will eventually need to contact us to fix the root problems….Then I read this late last night and I about fainted…I pretty much gave him my permission to destroy my laptop…This really is a serious problem that need to be taken care of ASAP!!!!
This scam has been around for some time. If you want to read an 80 page thread about it, go to
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1200200
You can also find a thread about it on the Microsoft website. The scam comes out of India, if you get someone with an Indian accent claiming to be from Windows Care (‘Windows Scare’), or some such official sounding website, beware. I nearly fell for it. They’ve been doing Australia for a couple of years. I now keep a high-pitched sports whistle next to the phone for such ratbags. They can be quite persistent.
PAYBYPASS SCAM
There is one more company PAYBYPASS.COM
which is also involved in this kind of SCAM.
They will provide merchant accounts to You to charge Your customers and after that they will not pay you.
Beware of these SCAMMERS and FRAUDSTERS
Not had the Microsoft scam tis way yet, but never say never!!
Love the whistle idea, LOL. Sounds fun too, so everytime I get a unwanted sales caller tying up my precious free time, the whistle is coming out and I’ve got a good pair of lungs, nice one, x
I have experienced these microsoft scammers. I was cajolled and finally threatened that I would be liable to prosecution because I was leaving myself wilfully open to criminals who would use me to commit crimes for which I would be liable!!!! This was all said in an increasingly threatining tone which as a pensioner could have intimidated me. Fortunately it only made me angry. To add insult to injury they tried on three other susequent times to do the same to me..If you are nor very technically minded it is easy to become victim to these scam artist and do whatr they ask.
Jean Lawson
Bristol.