Warning - Don't Be Gullible!

[kerryc]

OK here's a new one to be on the watch for - DON'T BE GULLIBLE!
I just got a call from a guy with a VERY heavy Indian accent saying he was from "Windows Technical Support." He said they were getting a lot of error message coming from MY computer. He needed me to delete some lines in my system.

Hmmmm - Out of all the millions of Window users why would Microsoft be making calls to troubled owners? When I have problems I've always had to call my tech guy.

I took "his" phone number 347-514-7822. This area code is from Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Stanton Island. Oh I just did a reverse look up. Guess what, that number is available.

[snaffle]

I got a call about a month ago...and the man had a very strong accent.
Before he could say anything I asked

"What are you selling?"

um... big oops.. he was originally from Finland and was referred to me for dog boarding.

[kaliomele]

Yep. Microsoft wants you to PAY for support; they'll not offer it for free....

[Marci]

LOL Yeah got to listen first. But what a stupid guy, do people actually fall for that? Yeah, I guess I could see my Mom or my hubby doing just that.

[Deleted]

Here's another one; My FIL and a friends mom both got similar calls like this...A "man" claiming to be their grandson was in a tight spot. Wrecked the car and needed 2500.00 before mom and dad find out. Please wire the money here as fast as possible. Seriously. Both grandparents called to confirm troubles. But both were very concerned about their family members. These people are getting craftier.

My sisters computer was infected with mal-ware. Then a HUGE pop-up showed and said something to the effect of This is the FBI You have broken several laws downloading things from the internet. You have 48 hours to pay 250.00. I knew it was a bad go, but her husband was ready to hock anything to pay it. Very gullible.

[Jeff]

This guy is still at it. Today is May 9, 2014....luckily I'm too smart to fall for something like this. I told him "I'm not buying it. I'm in IT". He hung up. Hello, FBI?

[snelson]

Lildot...I had that same FBI warning pop up when we first got our laptop. I was just sort of messing with it and hadn't put my security software on it...and that popped up. I took it back to the store and of course it didn't pop up because it was only attached to my IP address. Uploaded my security software and then took it home...as soon as I booted it back up, the pop up came on...I had to boot up in safe mode and then run my anti virus.

Have had lots of people talking about all the scams out there. One had the misfortune of calling my hubby the other day.....the scammer hung up pretty quick

[rhapsody]

One of those purported Windows IT guys called once and my youngest (then 14) answered the phone. I guess I've gotten through to the boys about scams because he didn't buy it, told the guy, "I don't think so!" and then told me about it after I got home. I confirmed to him that it was a scam and that he was trying to do something that would allow them to take over the computer or access stuff we don't want accessed.

My mom is totally not tech-savvy but she's also a techno-phobe so if someone called to tell her she needed to delete lines from her code, she'd have no idea to go about doing so! Plus, she's pretty cynical about calls like that. She'd probably start babbling at him in German, telling him off for being a no-good thief and liar! LOL!

[Idaho Linda]

Caller ID is so wonderful! Most of those folks won't talk to the recorder. There must be a market out there. PT Barnum must have been right.

[Frostym]

I have a business website with a domain name I want protected. I got an email from a so called company who said I was about to lose the domain name in Japan and other far East countries. They offered to protect my domain name for a few hundred dollars, more if I wanted it protected in other countries. It sounded very plausible until I googled their so called company names. They didn't exist, but google did pull up "scam buster" guy who said this scam was everywhere but you could get rid of the guy by insulting him. The scammer pestered me for a few days until I told him he didn't exist, I was on to him, he was lying scum, dust under my feet, etc. It was sorta fun in an evil way thinking up insults. Sure enough in a few days he was gone.

What I hate most of scam computer calls. You can't insult a computer or tell them to take you off their list.

[Not Dumb]

Had a call from this number claiming he was from Windows Support and that there were problems with my computer. I Immediately asked him for his name (he replied "Owen") and his ID # (said it was 8003) and his supervisor's name (said it was Robert), where he worked (Windows Support).. yes, he stayed on the phone all this time answering my questions! Then I asked for his direct phone number (845-241-1234), and I told him, "Good. Now I can report you to the fraud department, because I know this is a scam!" That's when he finally hung up!! These guys with the very heavy accents must be making some money to stay on the phone that long with someone who knows immediately that it is a scam and tries to turn the tables on them!

[res]

I actually got a check in the mail at the beginning of the month, and it has me wondering if it is a scam... The check was supposedly from GE Capital Finance, and was attached to a letter saying "upon review of your account, we realized a balance was owed. Since your account balance is zero, please accept this check as a repayment of the balance".

While I DO have a GE Capital Retail account (0% 36-mth promo with Flooring America), none of their statements have ever been labeled "GE Capital Finance" or been signed "Tru DC" like this letter was.

And my Flooring America account does not have a zero balance yet, either...

No where on the letter was an account # referenced, either... It only had my name and address.

The check looked valid, but was for ONE CENT. Yes, ONE STINKIN' PENNY.

It looked fishy enough to me that I did not cash it, because doing so would mean the check writers would have access to my routing # and account # and other ID aspects my CU Service Center requires... It made me think that it would be a "cheap" way for ID thieves to gather info to steal identities/access bank accounts. I am wondering if it might show up in the news soon as the latest scheme...

[snelson]

Ohhhh Res, that is something I hadn't heard of. Thank you. I would not bother depositing a check for 1 cent and if I got a check from an account I would be sure to check it against my actual account to be sure. But now I will be doubly careful. If those people would just apply their "talents" to a real job...imagine how great the economy would be

[res]

I honestly had no intention of depositing it either, but my husband didn't look at it real close, and assumed it was from some big credit card bank. He immediately got excited that he would "cost" them more money by cashing it than it was actually written for (i.e. processing, handling, printing, postage, etc cost more than one cent). Plus I think he was looking forward to making it funny with the teller that he was cashing a one cent check.

If it is a scam, I think that his reaction is what the scammers are hoping for...

[TarNOLE]

DH deposited a 'settlement' check once and we ended up getting hit for bounced check fees. So not amused.

Cheers, K