• Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Fraud calls..."I am ringing about your Microsoft computer"

Status
Not open for further replies.

Minilad

Established Member
Joined
26 Feb 2011
Messages
4,343
Location
Anywhere B link goes
Sorry, no moral relativism thank you very much.

If they hadn't made the unsolicited call, the above poster wouldn't have had need to retaliate, so to try and establish some sort of moral equivalence is drivel, quite frankly.

I wasn't attempting anything of the sort to be honest. Just suggesting that some people might think that way
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

jon0844

Veteran Member
Joined
1 Feb 2009
Messages
28,013
Location
UK
If a salesperson (on the phone or even in person) is trying to bulls**t me, should I show any respect to them when they think I'm a mug and worthy of ripping off?

I am not nasty, but I won't be nice either and I won't have started it.

These calls aren't selling anything, rather trying to streal money. I'd find it hard to be nice back.
 

Greenback

Emeritus Moderator
Joined
9 Aug 2009
Messages
15,268
Location
Llanelli
I see no problem in fighting lies with more lies, drivel with more drivel, as you say, I didn't start and I didn't choose to be bothered by idiots!
 

ThePannier

Member
Joined
31 Oct 2014
Messages
147
Location
County Durham
My grandma gets the same one ringing on an almost daily basis. She identifies a female and sometimes a male voice. The last time I was there and it happened, she put it on loudspeaker so I could hear. The woman was saying her broadband is incorrect, etc., then after my grandma told her there was nothing wrong with her broadband, I was in fits laughing when she said ''you are fraudsters, my dear'' and the woman responded ''Madame, please don't use that sort of language, do you have any idea who I am''. I think she got ''fraud'' mixed up with ''f***''. She then hung up.
 

jon0844

Veteran Member
Joined
1 Feb 2009
Messages
28,013
Location
UK
I've never told anyone on the phone to **** off. But I've been told to by callers who eventually realise that they're wasting their time (or think that I'm responsible for wasting their time).

So many times I say to them 'Why are you still talking to me?' and 'Haven't you realised I'm just playing with you?' and quite often they STILL carry on with their sales pitch.

I shared a house with two students who worked on phones calling people from a phone directory (no TPS checking there!) and trying to book appointments for windows, doors, conservatories etc - and to them it was just a job, but personally I could never do a job where I neither believed in the products I was selling, nor the methods employed to try and sell them.

But it's hard to say that nobody should do the job, as people need to earn a crust.
 

Robertj21a

On Moderation
Joined
22 Sep 2013
Messages
7,518
How on earth do we get a thread running to 5 pages when the simple answer has always been to put the phone down !
 

GaryMcEwan

Established Member
Joined
20 Aug 2013
Messages
1,604
Location
Bridgeton, Glasgow
I got a 'Microsoft' call a few weeks and was advised that they had called me as my laptop had gotten a virus and that I needed to get this sorted out by speaking to them.

I told them that I use a Google Chromebook for my day to day stuff to be told that...'Google Chromebook's do not exist.' I asked him to explain himself and elude to how he came to that conclusion, he subsequently got a bit verbal and said that he would keep calling back.

Thankfully I've now got the Truecaller app on my phone so it flags any sort of call like this...
 

Busaholic

Veteran Member
Joined
7 Jun 2014
Messages
14,029
My knowledge of computers and computing is such that they always put the phone down on me first.
 

bussnapperwm

Established Member
Joined
18 May 2014
Messages
1,506
I say that I am putting them on hold to get "someone" then just put them on mute on my mobile and see how long they last. My record is half hour with that.
 

Class 66's

Member
Joined
17 Sep 2014
Messages
69
I just tell them I run Linux - had someone on the phone who was convinced it was a Microsoft Windows PC:)
 

trentside

Established Member
Fares Advisor
Joined
14 Aug 2010
Messages
3,337
Location
Messroom
These are the best investment I ever made. Not one of these calls has ever eluded the system as they seem reluctant to state their name and company. Sadly cuts down on my fun, but makes my life a lot more peaceful.
 

Johnuk123

Established Member
Joined
19 Mar 2012
Messages
2,802
These are the best investment I ever made. Not one of these calls has ever eluded the system as they seem reluctant to state their name and company. Sadly cuts down on my fun, but makes my life a lot more peaceful.

I recommended one of those in post 25, excellent.
 

trentside

Established Member
Fares Advisor
Joined
14 Aug 2010
Messages
3,337
Location
Messroom
I recommended one of those in post 25, excellent.

They really are. Just out of interest, I turned it off for a couple of days and they were still trying despite being TPS.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I see they block up to 100% of nuisance calls, is that the best they can do?

Ha, they do a pretty good job - they certainly stop silent calls. I've also had a couple of calls logged at 3/4am which I'm pleased they managed to stop.
 

backontrack

Established Member
Joined
2 Feb 2014
Messages
6,383
Location
The UK
From this website:http://notalwaysworking.com

Closing The Windows On This Scam
RETAIL | TX, USA | LIARS/SCAMMERS, TECHNOLOGY
(We commonly get random sales calls at work, but as we’re a company chain store, we usually give the corporate number and that’s that. For the past four days, though, we have gotten a scam call from an 800 number that ends with four zeros at the end, which is how we have kept track of it. He has a strong accent, gives random male names, and always says he is with tech and calling about our computer.)

Me: “[Store], this is [My Name]. How can I help you?”

Tech: “Hi, this is Kevin. I am calling about your computer.”

Me: *rolls eyes at coworkers and mouths that it’s him again* “Yes, what about the computer?”

Tech: “Yes, your computer is having problems.”

Me: “Oh, really? What kind of problems are you talking about?”

Tech: “Well, when you are getting on the Internet, you are having problems.”

Me: “Hmm, no, really haven’t. Can you explain what you mean?”

Tech: *getting frustrated* When you are getting on the Facebook and your emails, you are getting things that are slowing your computer down. Are you seeing things like that?”

Me: “Nope, haven’t seen a thing.”

Tech: “Well, that is what is happening. Are you sitting in front of your computer?”

Me: “I am.”

Tech: “Is this computer on?”

Me: “No. Should I turn it on?”

Tech: “Yes, I need for you to turn it on for me.”

Me: “It’ll take a little bit.”

(I’m nowhere near a computer, so I stand to the side writing down everything that he’s said to me so far.)

Me: “Okay, it’s on now.”

Tech: “Is it on the Windows?”

Me: “Windows? No. We have it on the desk.”

Tech: “I mean do you have Windows on your computer?”

Me: “No, I don’t believe in that modding nonsense for computers.”

Tech: *getting frustrated again* “Is your computer run by Windows?”

Me: “Oh! You mean is my operating system Windows! Yes, it is.”

Tech: “Yes, then do you see your keyboard?”

Me: “I see it.”

Tech: “Do you see your control key?”

Me: “Yes, what about it?”

Tech: “Do you see what’s beside it?”

Me: “The control key? There’s a shift.”

Tech: *getting angry again*“No, what is beside it.”

Me: “Well, there’s a key that looks like a menu item. That one?”

Tech: “No! On the left side control key.”

Me: “Oh! You mean my Windows key! Yeah, I see it.”

Tech: “I need you to press this down and ‘R’ at the same time.”

Me: “Okay, why do I need to do that?”

Tech: “This will open up this black box so you can type run in there. Is this black box up?”

Me: “No, I don’t have a black box up. What was I supposed to do again?”

Tech: “You need to be pressing the Windows key and the R key at the same time.”

Me: “Oh, you must want me to prompt a run command. Is that what you mean for me to do?”

Tech: “Yes—”

Me: “—and then you’re going to tell me how to give you access to my computer next. Of course, if my computer was actually running slow, I could always go into the BIOS to check things. Or I could get the TDSSKiller. Or run Spybot, or a number of other programs. However, I don’t think I have a problem. I think you just want remote access to my computer so you can still hard earned money from me. Luckily for me, I’m not stupid. You’re calling a company phone, so even if I did run that command, you wouldn’t have gotten anything from us. I will be notifying the necessary people about you and your scam. This number will be posted up so customers will know in advance you are a scam artist, and if you call here again, we are not going to be this nice to you. Do not call this number again.”

Tech: “You are an idiot.”

Me: “And you’re just angry that it didn’t work.” *click*

Enjoying reading the responses on this thread, are there any more?

EDIT: Another:
The Terrible-Two Scam
PHONE SCAM, TELEMARKETER | TX, USA | FAMILY & KIDS, LIARS/SCAMMERS, TECHNOLOGY
(I get a phone call from a private number. I answer it.)

Caller: “Hello, I am [Caller] from Windows Tech Support. I am calling about your Windows computer. Our system shows it has many viruses and I am going to help you work it out.”

Me: “Oh, no! Well, I don’t know much about computers, so I’ll put you on with my daughter. She knows way more about computers than me so she should be able to work with you.”

Caller: “Yes, that will be fine.”

(I put the phone on speaker and hand it to my daughter so I can listen in.)

Daughter: “Hello!”

Caller: “Hello, I am [Caller] from Windows Tech Support. I am calling about your Windows computer. Our system shows it has many viruses and I am going to help you work it out. Okay?”

Daughter: “Okay.”

Caller: “First I need you to click on the start button.”

Daughter: “Start button!”

Caller: “Yes, could you tell me what you see?”

Daughter: “You see?”

Caller: “Ma’am? No, I can’t see. You have to tell me.”

Daughter: “Tell me!”

Caller: “No, ma’am. You have to tell me. What is it you see on your screen?”

Daughter: “Okay, bye bye. I love you. I go on the swing now.”

(Then my very articulate two-year-old daughter hung up, handed me the phone, and went and played on her swing.)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
One more:

Heimdall Didn’t See That One Coming
HOME | LANCASHIRE, ENGLAND, UK | BIZARRE/SILLY, EMPLOYEES, TECHNOLOGY
(Our phone has caller display and unwanted calls tend to come up as either ‘Unavailable’ or ‘Withheld’. On this occasion the display shows ‘Unavailable’ but I answer it anyway. There is a pause before the obvious chatter of a call centre came on. )

Me: “Hello, Asgard? Loki speaking.”

Caller: “Hello, I am from the Windows Service Centre and I am calling about your computer. How are you today?”

Me: “Okay.”

Caller: “You are getting errors on your computer; there are problems in the files which will cause it to crash at some point.”

Me: “Oh, okay.”

Caller: “Are you in front of your computer?”

Me: “No.”

Caller: “You need to go to your computer and turn it on, and tell me when it’s ready. I am holding the line.”

Me: “Okay.” *pretends to call to another person* “Thor? Where’s the computer?” *puts phone down for a minute or so before going back to the call* “It’s not here.”

Caller: “The computer is not there?”

Me: “No, it’s in Midgard.”

Caller: “What? It’s where?”

Me: “Midgard.”

Caller: “Where’s that? Is that another town?”

Me: “It’s a whole other land. This is Asgard.”

Caller: *confused* “…Do you have a laptop?”

Me: “We have no need for computers here. We’re gods; we don’t need a laptop. We use magic and godly powers.”

Caller: “…I’m calling about the Windows operating system.”

Me: “Yeah, we don’t use it here.”

Caller: *increasingly confused* “Okay, bye.”

Me: *cheerily* “Bye!”
 
Last edited:

swj99

Member
Joined
7 Nov 2011
Messages
765
Another simple way to get rid of them is to tell them you are busy right this second but if they could call you back on your "other line" in about 30 mins you will be able to speak to them. You then proceed to give them the number of your local Police station.....
I've got the number of our local BT call box in case anyone who I don't want calling me asks for a number. I gave it to Paypal last year, because they kept trying to phone me, despite having been told I'd only communicate with them in writing.

Slighlt OT, but a family of five JWs knocked at my door this morning, - I was still in my dressing gown and hadn't yet unlocked the door. I didn't get angry or abusive, I just put on a 'you've got me out of bed look' and they were suitably embarrassed.
Reminds me of a classic Robbie Coltraine line from The Comic Strip Presents - Dirty Movie.....
And you got me off the lavatory to tell me this ?

I get Freud calls where a man with an east European accent asks about my relationship with my mother. Any advice?
Yes. Don't tell him.
 
Last edited:

deltic1989

Established Member
Joined
21 Sep 2010
Messages
1,483
Location
Nottingham
I had another one the other day.
Nothing to do with Windows or anything like that, but about a "road accident" that I supposedly had.
The Conversation went something like this;

Me: Hello

Caller: Hello, Sir, I am calling in regards to the car accident you had, a few years ago.

Me: And what accident would that be?

Caller: The one you had a few years ago, I am calling to help you make a claim.

Me: Well, this must have been some accident because I can't remember having one.

Caller: Our information says that you were at a roundabout and someone ran into the back of you.

Me; Sorry I think you have the wrong person here. I have been driving almost 10 years now and have never had an accident at a roundabout.

Caller: This is Mr Deltic?

Me; Yes, but like I say I have never had an accident at a roundabout.

Caller: Perhaps it was at a T-junction.

Me: So which is it T-Junction or Roundabout, either way I'm not at all happy with the direction that this call is taking so I'm going to hang up, Good-bye.

Caller: But don't you want to claim.

Me: I want to claim bull-s**t on everything you are saying. Bye.

[I hang up]

It seems that this guy was a scammer fishing for victims. He had my name, but everything else was very vague. It is fair to say that since passing my driving test(s), I have had accidents, driving different vehicles, but none have occured at roundabouts.
It occurs to me that rear end shunts at junctions, like roundabouts are probably the most common form of road accident, and so this is the go to line for the scammer to try to hook the unfortunate victim in. It makes them seem to have insider knowledge.
Had I had a bit more time on my hands I would have probably wasted a bit more of his time, by playing along and asking him for more details, but at the time I was late for work, so maybe next time. :D
 

HMS Ark Royal

Established Member
Joined
2 Sep 2015
Messages
2,807
Location
Hull
I once had the same caller ring me several times a day - in the end I impersonated a woman's voice and declared they had reached Randy Rocky's Brothel and can I ask what services they'd like...?

Three years - no call back
 

Xenophon PCDGS

Veteran Member
Joined
17 Apr 2011
Messages
32,266
Location
A semi-rural part of north-west England
One of my sons has recently been targeted more than once by the same organisation and decided to turn the tables on the caller, by stating:-

"I am so pleased that your last call warned me that my very old "Microsoft" computer was infected by a virus, so since I was looking to buy a new one to replace it, I immediately decided to change over to an Apple iMac desktop computer and bought one from John Lewis. I really am pleased with the warning that you gave me about "Microsoft computers".

The line then went dead at the other end.
 

jon0844

Veteran Member
Joined
1 Feb 2009
Messages
28,013
Location
UK
I got called from someone who had all my details, given the data leak from TalkTalk (that ultimately is likely to cost the company dearly in the not too distant future) and I am convinced that this information has been sold on to others.

They had my full name, address and TalkTalk account number. I told her my account number was wrong and she got somewhat angry, and then when she continued to say I had to update my software or lose the Internet, she finished by swearing and saying I'd be cut off that night. I thanked her and she cut me off.

Sadly, it's likely more and more cold callers are going to obtain personal details from various hacks. It can make them sound far more convincing and I'm sure some people who might think they're fully aware of these phishing scams will fall for someone who appears to know everything.

The only real solution is to treat everyone with distrust, and always be aware of giving out any additional personal information that could fill in the remaining blanks they have.

In the 80s and 90s, it was possible to get phone calling card numbers with ease from Americans who had them to make calls home from abroad, or to make cheaper calls long distance. The main carriers issued them free to everyone, to try and encourage them to use them.

The security was crazy. It was a long number with the PIN printed on the card.

The scam was simple. You called the person and claimed to be from the phone company and being worried about unauthorised usage. As a security check, you needed the last four digits of the card. People would willingly give this because, well, it's only four digits.

Problem is the remaining digits was their phone number. You knew the number as you'd just called it. Bingo - free international phone calls!

I think it's probably safe to reveal this one now, given I doubt such cards still exist.. but phishing has been around for a LONG time and there will always be a new variation coming...
 

swj99

Member
Joined
7 Nov 2011
Messages
765
The only real solution is to treat everyone with distrust, and always be aware of giving out any additional personal information that could fill in the remaining blanks they have.......
I always do. I had an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be from one of the credit card companies, which I actually had a card with at the time. He knew my name, but when he started asking security questions, I refused to answer, on the basis that he'd instigated the call. I suggested to him that if it was important, he should write to me. He said he was unable to do that, so I said that's a shame, and terminated the call. The trouble is, there are a lot of extremely trusting people out there, and that's who they're targeting. A great many elderly people are vulnerable and tend to accept what they're told, without wondering if it might be a scam. Gone are the days when a person could be relied upon to be who they say they are. Society, and technology needs to catch up somehow, and weed out these scammers.

I think one of the biggest security holes is with cardholder not present transactions. I remember hearing about a case a few years ago where a garage proprietor made a note of the credit and debit card details of customers who paid over the phone using their cards. One day, just before he did a runner due to some other debts he'd fraudulently run up, he took more payments from the cards, then cleared out the business account the money went into. As well as this, he left his employees in the lurch with their wages outstanding. I don't know how situations like that one can be avoided, but it's certainly one thing that the banking industry needs to address.

I suppose one of the problems is that we as a society have been told time and time again that electronic money transactions are safe, when the reality is sometimes very different, and as yet, the security hasn't quite caught up with the technology.

get_rick_quick.jpg
 
Last edited:

jon0844

Veteran Member
Joined
1 Feb 2009
Messages
28,013
Location
UK
I do wonder if apps like Team Viewer should have a pop up window (with a time delay and requirement to read the text) the first time it's installed to warn people that it might be used fraudulently (i.e. when you've been told over the phone to install it to give 'Microsoft' access).

TeamViewer and developers of similar apps must know what's going on, but this is increasingly becoming a good way to scam people, as well as installing malware that can have longer term effects.

We know the authorities are useless at dealing with these crimes, and that's one reason I think we can see that crime figures are going down - because many criminals have moved on from mugging people, breaking into properties and so on. They're now able to commit their crimes without much chance of being caught.

The police do warn people to be aware, but once you're scammed what happens? In most cases, nothing and people are effectively told that it's their fault.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top