STRANGE PHONE CALL

[devadiva]

Has anyone else had a phone call from a man with an indian accent allegedly phoning from Windows to tell me that my computer has a virus and could shut down altogether without warning.

[penelope2]

Computer has a virus ?. Must be a cold call.

[Graham-W]

Just about everyone, I would guess.
Thank him and tell him you're running Linux. It confuses them.

[diddlydo]

Funnily enough, we've had dozens of these calls at all-too-regular intervals. It's a total scam - do NOT on any account do anything they ask or your computer really will get totally messed up and probably your internet security will be compromised as well..Just tell them where to go and put the phone down.

[jackthehat]

Many of them.
Scamsters of one kind or another.
Either ignore them or toy with them at your leisure. :o)

[sunny-dave]

Common scam - they will ask you to install some software, which will 'detect' a threat, which they will then charge you to remove.

Ignore & hang up - or blowing a whistle into the phone can be quite effective too ... although I couldn't possibly suggest that you do ...

[VHG]

I have had at least half a dozen of these, though I am at home all day.

I usually shout some obcenities down the phone at them.

[cathfromsaron]

very often! and i need to pay by my card to have them rectified ...

[Frank97]

I like to tell them there is nothing wrong with my windows as I've recently had new ones fitted, that throws them, or alternativly just be rude, after all they are trying to rob you.

[devadiva]

Many thanks to you all' you have just confirmed my suspicions and am glad that I managed to get rid of him before I did any damage

[TheNovice]

ask them to hang on a moment and leave them there. Works for all unsolicited calls. Put them on loudspeaker if you can and listen to them waiting, can be quite funny sometimes.

[MartinBev58]

I was at a house belonging to an elderly lady and I answered the house phone as she was talking on her mobile phone.
A man told me her computer had a virus. I found it strange however as she did not have a computer.

Martin

[pusskin]

I feel proper left out! I've never had any of these calls.

[sunny-dave]

Just post your number puss & I'm sure some will arrive soon enough ... :+P

[Robinia]

Your day will come pusskin :o)

I say my son's a computer technician & I'll just fetch him to have a word...they go away.

[pusskin]

lol sunny dave!

[rowanwitch]

I play with them.... depends how I feel... sometimes I ask them for details of files/directories where the problem is etc I haven't a clue what I am saying but then again nor do they...

[pusskin]

ha ha robina, I tell the builders touting for work , that my son is a builder so bugger off!

[pusskin]

hee hee, we always have a laugh with unwanted phone calls.
I'm always the "Maid" in the house, haha.
Still waiting for a computer bloke to ring us!