Based on past experience it is clear that scams on the internet come and go as they become overused and fail to provide the scammer with clear results. But some return after a brief absence to bring continued threats to users. The “cold call” from someone representing Microsoft Service is one that has returned and I was the subject of that call. Here is how it transpired:
I received a phone call from Frank, identifying himself as a Microsoft Technical Support representative. He had a thick Indian accent, and was difficult to understand and that seemed to be a good point to hang up, but being curious, I continued. I know that I am being politically incorrect but I really don’t care. Frank advised me that they had been informed that I was having a computer problem. When I asked him how he knew this he said that Windows sends data to them when a problem has been detected. I played along and said that the start- program was very slow and took 5 to 8 minutes to boot up. He said that it was easy to fix that and if I turned on my computer we could remedy the problem. My computer was already on and I said that I just turned it on and wanted to ask some questions while it started. I wanted to know how he would fix the problem and what the process was. He said that once it was up and running, he would supply a website URL for me to enter and the he could see my computer. (Read Take Control!). I then asked how much it would cost and he said that they had a downloadable malware package for $250.00. When I told him that I could not afford that he said that they also had a very good program for $99.00! What a great deal! So, I thought that if there was even a remote possibility that he was really from Microsoft Technical Support that he would be interested in my security. So, I suggested that we terminate the call and I would return the call using the Microsoft number and then asked for his ID number. He said that this is not possible and to please continue. I said no and he abruptly disconnected.
So, what do we know about this scam from the past? If you follow the caller’s instruction and load the fake URL, he now has access to your computer. He can then go to the task manager and proceed to “processes” and show you that the usage is at 80 or 90 % which is dangerous even if it is fine. Or he can call up msconfig and show you anything that may be “wrong”. Or in my case of the slow start program, he could say that it is easy to clean up. (With the software he is selling)! And how will we pay for this if purchased? With PayPal or credit card where we supply all of the information he needs to hack the account. And if we download the software he provides, he can plant a virus, other bugs, or even restrict access to your own computer! Microsoft is aware of the scam and offers some good information here. My suggestion is to hang up on Frank before he hangs you up...
I received a phone call from Frank, identifying himself as a Microsoft Technical Support representative. He had a thick Indian accent, and was difficult to understand and that seemed to be a good point to hang up, but being curious, I continued. I know that I am being politically incorrect but I really don’t care. Frank advised me that they had been informed that I was having a computer problem. When I asked him how he knew this he said that Windows sends data to them when a problem has been detected. I played along and said that the start- program was very slow and took 5 to 8 minutes to boot up. He said that it was easy to fix that and if I turned on my computer we could remedy the problem. My computer was already on and I said that I just turned it on and wanted to ask some questions while it started. I wanted to know how he would fix the problem and what the process was. He said that once it was up and running, he would supply a website URL for me to enter and the he could see my computer. (Read Take Control!). I then asked how much it would cost and he said that they had a downloadable malware package for $250.00. When I told him that I could not afford that he said that they also had a very good program for $99.00! What a great deal! So, I thought that if there was even a remote possibility that he was really from Microsoft Technical Support that he would be interested in my security. So, I suggested that we terminate the call and I would return the call using the Microsoft number and then asked for his ID number. He said that this is not possible and to please continue. I said no and he abruptly disconnected.
So, what do we know about this scam from the past? If you follow the caller’s instruction and load the fake URL, he now has access to your computer. He can then go to the task manager and proceed to “processes” and show you that the usage is at 80 or 90 % which is dangerous even if it is fine. Or he can call up msconfig and show you anything that may be “wrong”. Or in my case of the slow start program, he could say that it is easy to clean up. (With the software he is selling)! And how will we pay for this if purchased? With PayPal or credit card where we supply all of the information he needs to hack the account. And if we download the software he provides, he can plant a virus, other bugs, or even restrict access to your own computer! Microsoft is aware of the scam and offers some good information here. My suggestion is to hang up on Frank before he hangs you up...
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