The Windows Scam
On a regular basis I seem to be getting phone calls, which by the accent and the level of echo on the call appear to originate in the Indian subcontinent. The caller is unfailingly polite and tells me that my Windows computer is sending error messages and they represent the Windows technical support group and they will help me sort out the problem if I will only switch on and supply them with copious amounts of information which will enable them to hack goodness knows what.
Funny, that as I don’t even possess a Windows computer.
Everybody I know in Switzerland seems to be being bombarded with these calls at the moment.
They are so obviously a scam that I can’t imagine anyone in their right mind falling for this – unless they are very old or very naive, but even then I doubt it.
I have two tactics – the string them along for as long as I can routine – thereby incurring big international phone charges for the wretches – and the tell them I know it’s a scam and do they think I’m stupid routine.
While both can be quite satisfying, I can honestly say that these people are really, really annoying and they don’t get the message and keep calling back. I can’t even block their number because it never shows up.
What to do? Does anybody have a brilliant idea? And is it just Switzerland that’s being targeted or do you get these in other countries too?
Happy Maundy Thursday,
Helen
April 5th, 2012 at 7:29 pm
there are all kinds of scams in the us, but we are on the on call list so they can’t call us. so i get most of the scans on e-mail saying i have won millions in africa and i just need to send them money
April 5th, 2012 at 7:29 pm
Yes, I had one of those calls as well here in Singapore. Luckily I wasn’t fooled either. I’ve asked the guy if he thinks I have come down with the last shower. Of course the irony was completely lost on him. He insisted that he was calling from Microsoft in the US and when I asked him for his phone number so I could check if it was true, he ended the call.
April 5th, 2012 at 7:30 pm
the no call list
April 5th, 2012 at 7:38 pm
My sister got the same call in Australia last week. When I lived in Australia I worked for the Government Agency that dealt with consumer protection.
You will not be surprised to hear that this is one of the most common scams perpetrated by you guessed it criminal gangs in India.
If you fall for the scam, you will be asked to provide credit card details for a “repair charge” of around $50 AUD but when you get your bill it is around $350 or more if they think they can get away with it!! I have seen people charged up to $5000.
Asking them for a contact number to verify the call generally results in them hanging up.
The best defence is to list yourself on the “Do not call” register if your country has one & otherwise remember that almost all institutions nowadays NEVER ring & ask you to provide these details.
I used to get these calls before I even had a computer but had many of the “support” people insist that I must have!! LOL
Keep safe out there people.
Lush
April 5th, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Airhorn for the phone, airgun for the cold callers!
April 5th, 2012 at 8:38 pm
Loving Hadley’s idea :oD
April 5th, 2012 at 8:41 pm
We have caller ID on our house phone and basically never answer it if we do not see a number we know. Most friends and family call us on our iPhones.
April 5th, 2012 at 8:41 pm
When I pick up and there is that moment of silence before the computer kicks in, I lay on the # key. This works if you have a DTMF (AKA touch tone) phone. It is supposed to disconnect the computer.
April 5th, 2012 at 9:53 pm
I’ve never heard of this one, but thanks for letting us know
April 6th, 2012 at 12:27 am
Yes, just as frequent and persistent (and annoying) here in the UK.