I've just had phone call about "my computer" telling me that it's infected. OK, right.
Me: Which computer?
Foreign-sounding Guy On Phone: Do you have a computer?
Me: If you don't know if I have a computer, how can you tell me it's infected?
That elicited a load of gobbledegook about viruses from my address - both my IP address and apparently my street address. OK again.
Eventually I said I don't own a Windows computer (I'm a naughty little liar, I am) and he hung up.
It hits hardest because my poor little laptop is off at the manufacturers after completely reinstalling Windows didn't work. It kept freezing even as it was updating Windows. I miss it.
Edited to Add:
Thanks to Richard for this link about the scam: http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2011/09/21/microsoft-dumps-partner-telephone-support-scam/
17 COMMENTS:
Let me get this right. Your HOUSE sends viruses? What kind? Flu? HPV? That's got to be the ultimate 'cold' call.
I love your replies to this cold caller!! I must remember them if ever someone rings me like that!
I am so sorry about your laptop!! Hope you get it back soon! Take care
x
It sounds like this guy was trying to do a little identity theft, actually. I don't know what kind of information he wanted to get out of you, but his story is complete crap.
FH - if you'd been to OL recently you'd see I posted an article about this very scam a couple of days ago - it was marked for John as he's plagued by those calls.
The main culprit is a firm that used to be a legitimate MS support partner...
http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2011/09/21/microsoft-dumps-partner-telephone-support-scam/
I guess I will never understand the scammers and how they have no conscience about possibly ruining people's lives.
Tweeted that link, Richard.
Hope your laptop gets better soon!
Ah yes, my mum had this 'phone call about ten months ago. She was highly amused as they don't have a computer and she kept them talking for half an hour.
If your house sends viruses, I hope you only blog from the coffee shop!
May the bots of all technopossibility be firmly smacked.
What a nasty scam.
I've not had that, I just get sales calls, even though I'm on the Telephone Preference List. One day I'm going to interrupt them with a sales spiel for my novels and see how they like it...
Definitely fishy. Good you got him off your back!
MAJ, amazing, isn't it? But it must be true, because some random man on the phone told me so.
Kitty, thank you! My laptop is due back any day now.
Adam, I didn't think of identity theft. I imagined he was just trying to sell me something useless.
Richard, no I didn't see that. I've been sadly remiss on my blog and forum rounds! Thanks for the link. I'd better add it to my post.
Sarah, they must totally lack empathy as well as a conscience. I couldn't do it to someone.
Kevin, now that's class!
jj, sorry, but you're now definitely infected after visiting this blog and you'll get leaf wilt and root rot.
Whirl, you smack those bots!
Lexi, it is rather. I do wonder what use the Telephone Preference Service actually is.
affiknity, thank you! Although calling it fishy is a bit unkind to fish ;)
A familiar and amusing scam. I suppose it's sad as people clearly fall for it, otherwise the scammers wouldn't do it.
Simon, I have to admit to being more irritated than amused!
I love your response to the scammer, Fairy. Sounds like it was a bit of a "who's on first?" moment.
I miss you around the blogosphere ...
stacy, it's nice to know I'm missed!
you said the smart thing!
i despise that so many 'tech support' units are out of the country... how are they to know if they're nowhere in your half of the world?
my bell telephone 'support' is somewhere in india!!!
they have no clue of the physical setup i have... GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
laughingwolf, the worst thing for me is that I just don't cope with strong accents - my hearing is poor enough, especially on the phone, without that.
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