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microsoft call

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  • 15-10-2012 4:42pm
    #1
    ilovesleep
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,619 ✭✭✭


    I received a call from microsoft saying that my computer is infected and will crash in 40 minutes if I dont follow their instructions.

    Sounds dodgy as fcuk to me.

    I missed a few calls from them for a few weeks, probably phoning me to say the same. Computer hasn't crashed since. Anybody else receive similiar call?


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    #2
    Sparks43
    Registered Users Posts: 4,056 ✭✭✭Sparks43


    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055837564


    Thread here on all those scams


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    #3
    wildlifeboy
    Registered Users Posts: 1,170 ✭✭✭wildlifeboy


    tell them you will give them your credit card details and say 0000 00000 0000 etc.


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    #4
    BostonB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    ilovesleep wrote: »
    ...Anybody else receive similiar call?

    Almost everyone in the phone book at this stage. Sometimes repeatedly.


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    #5
    MadsL
    Registered Users Posts: 20,299 ✭✭✭✭MadsL


    Interesting. I thought they had caught and seized the bank accounts of these guys.

    http://www.yourlifechoices.com.au/news/microsoft-scam-callers-shut-down
    In a joint international operation between the Australian, Canadian and American authorities, the alleged operators of the ‘Microsoft scam’ calls have been shut down with their bank accounts frozen.


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    #6
    ilovesleep
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,619 ✭✭✭ilovesleep


    Phew! Thank you. And an extra thank you to Sparks.

    He was an agressive indian pr1ck too.

    I answered the phone and then he spoke that the computer was going to crash in 40 minutes and he was there to help. This didnt make sense to me. If there was a problem I'd sort it. I don't need anyone to.phone me to tell me that there is a problem. I then told him that I wasnt the owner of the house and he'd have to call back again another day.

    He tried to order me about to turn on the computer. Which I did.

    He told me to search for a key and I played blind. I don't have that key.


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    #7
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    MadsL wrote: »
    Interesting. I thought they had caught and seized the bank accounts of these guys.

    http://www.yourlifechoices.com.au/news/microsoft-scam-callers-shut-down

    It's not that difficult to open another bank account. Plus you're assuming it's the same crew pulling the same stunt. Whoever did it first doesn't have a monopoly on the scam.

    OP, some people have wondered "how did they know I even owned a PC" but the fact is that most people, or at least most households, have one these days. Phone numbers are just auto-dialled in sequence so it's only a matter of time before they get around to you and hazard a lucky guess that you do indeed own a PC.

    You can either tell 'em you don't have one or else you have a MAC and they'll hang up. Or else for amusement you can keep them on the line all day (provided you have nothing better to do) and just start acting dumb and dumber with them as the hours pass by....


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    #8
    MadsL
    Registered Users Posts: 20,299 ✭✭✭✭MadsL


    ilovesleep wrote: »
    Phew! Thank you. And an extra thank you to Sparks.

    He was an agressive indian pr1ck too.

    I answered the phone and then he spoke that the computer was going to crash in 40 minutes and he was there to help. I then told him that I wasnt the owner of the house and he'd have to call back again another day.

    He tried to order me about to turn on the computer.

    He told me to search for a key and I played blind. I don't have that key.

    Where is the "Any" key?...:D

    Try to gather any information like phone numbers used and time of call and send to the Gardai, there is an international LE operation closing in on these guys.


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    #9
    biko
    Registered Users Posts: 81,223 ✭✭✭✭biko


    In short, anyone who approaches you by phone or mail first can't be trusted.
    Unfortunately enough people get tricked by this for the scammers to continue, just like the initial Nigeria mails..
    We're moving from a trusting society to a untrusting one, and I for one don't like it.


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    #10
    Jarren
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,692 ✭✭✭Jarren


    Tell them that you have a Mac

    This will teach them ,lol


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    #11
    Peregrine
    Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 26,399 Mod ✭✭✭✭Peregrine


    I would've burst out laughing if I had got that call :pac:


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    #12
    Marcin_diy
    Registered Users Posts: 464 ✭✭Marcin_diy


    if they are calling from Microsoft, and have your name ( from the phone book) ask them to tell you your windows serial number :)


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    #13
    BostonB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    You should never deal with people cold calling either at the door or on the phone. 99/100 its a scam or a hard sell. You don't want either.


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    #14
    Celly Smunt
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 9,464 ✭✭✭Celly Smunt


    Jarren wrote: »
    Tell them that you have a Mac

    This will teach them ,lol

    they'd probably just laugh at you and hang up for buying a mac.


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