Fake Windows Call

[neuron]

Just had a second phone call this week from a chap with an Indian accent called Kevin with an Indian accent.

He claimed to be working for "Windows" and said they had detected a problem with my computer. I simulated some interest and let him rabbit on until he gave me an instruction to press the Windows Key plus one other key that I didn't catch as it was a poor line. At this point I rang off.

He was calling from the number 001957400713 but Googling this number brings nothing up. Can't something be done about these idiots who clearly think we're all green as grass? They've obviously got the means to cause serious problems for the less savvy.

Thank you

[roopower]

We have calls about our computer too. Not sure there is any way of stopping them as the calls come from abroad, I've been told. I tell them my husband is an IT consultant and hang up but they could worry some people, as you say.

[DSJ]

We had an identical call yesterday from a woman with an African accent (from Nigeria, maybe?). The trouble is that some people believe them otherwise they would stop.

[Dizmo]

It's even more amusing if you tell them you don't even own a computer. They really don't know how to response so just hang up.

[neuron]

Thanks all. I've been looking through a list of windows key combinations and no potential malicious action is apparent at first glance. The only thing I can think of is that if I had not hung up, the idiot would have tried to activate the remote desktop possibly?

[Old_Geezer]

With a country code of 1, that is a large area to search.

No not a lot can be done about international calls. Who is going to chase them ? And by the time they are traced they aren't there any more anyway.

Unless you expect international incoming calls you could ask your phone service provider to block them ?

[Old_Geezer]

They can ask you to do what they say to give them remote access/control, but you seem savvy enough not to do that. The other thing is to claim they have done something and ask for your bank details. Never give them ANY information.

[jomifl]

A Chinese woman calling herself Henry Wilson rang on behalf of 'microsoft' yesterday, when I questioned her gender she rang off.

[ethandron]

I quite like engaging these people in conversation, if I've got nothing better to do. I had a 15 minute chat with one once, as I...allegedly..went along with what they were telling me to do. In the end, the very polite Asian man whose name was David, told me to F off and hung up. Result ;)

[SlackAlice]

As always Microsoft is simply not worried if your pc has problems, they have already got your money when you bought it.

All 'scam' calls are because there are sufficient gullible people out there to make it worth while.

I am feeling quite 'miffed I have not had a Windows scam call for months. Although I did have an Indian lady from Italy talking about PPI.

[granny grump]

My friend gets a lot of these calls and has never had a computer and never likely to Ditto car accidents that he can claim for - he can't drive. They must hook some people or they wouldn't keep doing it would they?

[mosesg]

I had someone call from Microsoft. I said to him I work for Microsoft and they never make calls. He hung up.I don't work for Microsoft but they don't know that.

[Tilly2]

What's the catch with the car accident ones?

[HansUrbancka]

You could always try confusing the caller......."Which one...I have a Desktop and a Laptop and my wife has similar; also the four children each have Laptops and the eldest boy always as a few items which he is in the process of repairing as a sideline to his full time job as an I T Lecturer.... So I'll tell him when he gets home. Anyway thanks for your call."

Hans.

[Stephen_G]

I've come to the conclusion they think you'll respond if they give you an English-sounding name.

The last time I had one like that I demanded he tell me his real name, because it wasn't whatever he claimed it was. I further told him to stop reading off the card in front of him (Like a script). I then told him that I didn't have a Computer and he promptly rang off.

[hiflier]

Never got a call like this but around five years ago I put a request out on a site like this for help in sorting a defragmentation problem on the computer I was using then. A couple of months ago I got a reply explaining what to do. She said she worked for microsoft...

[DaisyNonna]

Phone call with Indian accent? I just terminate the call.

[fiftyplusfive]

My husband told them that not only did we not have a computer but we didnt have a phone either.They hung up and havent rung back.