Microsoft calling me at home

[nymira]

I got a phone call today from microsoft telling me my PC was infected.
and they were going to help my problem,scratching my head thinking im running linux what the hell.
so i let him babble on with his bullshit story,they are very persistent on trying to gain remote access to ur pc.
im glad i was home when they called,could have tried this with the kids.and who knows what could of happend.
microsoft users beware!  heres a link of reports of this scam, the hindu guy talking in this video was the same guy talking to me.

http://www.easykey.net/phishing-emails-and-scams/dial-care-pc-phone-scam

[dixonpete]

This scam has been going on forever. At one point they were calling once a week to my home in Kitchener, Ontario Canada.

[Meemaw]

Yes, I've gotten one of those before... my computers weren't even running at the time....

 

[zorlac]

I just keep saying "I can't understand what you are saying" until they get frustrated and hang up. 

[weirdwolf]

I've never gotten one of those. Lucky for them

[Linux-Blue]

I've never gotten one of those. Lucky for them

ditto. What fun I'd have. Do what zorlac does, or let them run in circles, "I don't see it on my computer." never telling them I own a Linux system.

[GOTHBITES]

I just keep saying "I can't understand what you are saying" until they get frustrated and hang up. 

They called my mother-in-law a couple of weeks ago and apparently my accent is worse than theirs and they hung up in a couple minutes. 

Now my mother-in-law just screams at them and hangs up

[Old-Polack]

I had a friend that kept a police whistle next to the phone, for just such occasions. 

[Stephen]

My sister continually receives these 'phone calls, despite the fact that I installed (and she has used exclusively, since) PCLinuxOS on her computer, over a year ago.  Still, she gets amusement through playing them along.  (Unfortunately, I have an unlisted 'phone number so I don't receive this form of entertainment.)

[Meemaw]

[nitrogen_widget]

I've never gotten one of those. Lucky for them

ditto. What fun I'd have. Do what zorlac does, or let them run in circles, "I don't see it on my computer." never telling them I own a Linux system.

Yeah, i'd probably have some fun also or fire up my virtual install of windows.
Many yrs back I renovated my old home & replaced all the windows.
A salesman called me to sell me windows & when he heard how old my house was he insisted I needed new windows.
I told him I didn't need new windows. He kept insisting.
So I told him i'd be home the next day.
He drove out & said "you got new windows"
I said "yeah, I know but you kept insisting I needed new ones".
Yeah, he was pissed.

When I rented someone call me up while I was drinking with friends trying to sell me windows. (what is it with windows?).
I let him talk me into a home visit & just before we hung up I said. "ok, now you just need to convince my land lord" :click:

[horusfalcon]

Ever get one of those direct mail solicitations with a prepaid reply envelope?  Put the heaviest object you can lay hands on (a piece of roofing slate works nicely) in the envelope, seal it, and send it back.  They'll drop you off their mailing list like a cheap suit.

Later On,
D

[Tony]

Microsoft NEVER 'Cold calls' customers.
My poor old Mother had her Comp trashed by one of these dudes. To a Eighty year Old woman who's just taken to online computing he hit a soft target.
 
"Give me your Credit Card details, or I will destroy your Computer."

Not wanting to give him 'any' details she felt compelled to go to her computer and I really don't know what she did as I didn't want to upset her more, but when I had a peep with a PCLinuxOS Live CD there was nothing much left on the Drive.

The Aus Government has had so many complaints they stopped the scam, somehow.

We have a law that if you opt to not receive advertising calls you can say so; I think they used this legislation to track the bad men down and stop them.

This crap has been going on about five years at least here. My Son when younger, was told the only time he was allowed to swear was when the Indian man from Microsoft rang. Heck did they get a mouthfull. 

[parnote]

Ever get one of those direct mail solicitations with a prepaid reply envelope?  Put the heaviest object you can lay hands on (a piece of roofing slate works nicely) in the envelope, seal it, and send it back.  They'll drop you off their mailing list like a cheap suit.

Later On,
D

horusfalcon,

I love it! I never thought of mailing them heavy stuff. I usually just tear up their mail into itsy-bitsy pieces, maybe supplement it with some other trash I have (if I don't think it's enough), and mail it right back to them. Of course, during the winter, I use all junk mail as fire starter material in the fireplace. Some of that glossy paper and fancy inks burn with really cool colors!

[The Chief]

(Unfortunately, I have an unlisted 'phone number so I don't receive this form of entertainment.)

I'm not sure that makes much difference - they just get a block of numbers to call.  They have no idea (and don't care) who it actually is.  I suspect you've just been lucky - they haven't gotten to the block containing your number yet.

Just answer with "FBI Cyber Security Division, how can I help  you?" and they'll go away.