Scam claiming to be from Microsoft

[newcastle1]

Hello

Has anyone had a phone call claiming to be from Microsoft - a foreign accent claiming that there is a problem with something you downloaded or your Facebook account?

They ask you to do a series of things to get control of your computer.

I had this yesterday but my elderly neighbour warned me as he had already fallen for it and had his computer infected by a virus.

I write a column for the local village and would like to warn them of this scam - particularly elderly people who are more vulunerable.

Thanks

[boxtops]

Yes, newcastle - this one goes around regularly and someone was only asking about this yesterday.

They say they come from Microsoft and they can tell that something is the matter with your computer. a) they don't and b) they can't possibly know that.

They are after your money so reassure your village that any such calls are SCAMS, and they shouldn't give out any details to an unsolicited call like this - don't tell them your passwords or any ID numbers, or pay them any money. It's a racket.

[sir.prize]

Just tell them you don't have Microsoft Windows - say you use Linux.

[thoru]

Friend had one of these calls, he was told his computer was running slow due to a problem with his copy of Microsoft. He kept telling the man he was a liar and the the man kept trying to get him to give his email address and password among other things.
My friend kept saying you are a liar in the end the man said why do you keep calling me a liar i am trying to help you.

My friend said i do not own a computer and i have never used a computer in my life.

The phone line went dead ...........

[boxtops]

LOL, I like that last one!

[MarkRae]

I asked one of them what his religion taught about lying, and whether his family was proud of him...

[atrollope]

Good move MarkRae....might try that myself :-)

[beso]

I listened to one for a while and said "oh really" occasionally.

Then I told them what I did for a job (IT) and they hung up for some unknown reason.