I was just very rude to a woman on the phone. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

[Archae]

She had a distinct Nigerian accent, and claimed to be calling from Microsoft.

The Microsoft company themselves has told me they do NOT call customers, they e-mail them.

So I told the woman to take her scam and shove it, and hung up.

I detest all the scams that try to pull me in, either e-mail spam, Nigerian phone calls, or rarely now big megachurches sending me snailmail asking me if I am "saved." (No, but I am full of preservatives...)

[The Straight Story]

1. If it had been a man that called would you have done the same and posted about it?

Cause, ya know, anything you post about women is suspect.

Are you sure you aren't sexist and just hate women?

[Logical]

2. LOL, +1000, you nailed the current DU! n-t

[The Straight Story]

4. No harm in asking, you can't tell me to shut up over the issues! Ahhhhh!

Why are people upset I asked, I just want to help save people.

I had some soup. There were letters in it. Why don't you understand and why did you not agree on another thread.

[Logical]

6. Was your post serious? I assumed you were being sarcastic. n-t

[The Straight Story]

7. Yeah, I was being sarcastic

Now I have to go and keep some more people down, hate on some women folks, and kill some puppies for satan.

[A HERETIC I AM]

18. Psssst.....c'mere......

I can get you 2 dozen puppies for $25.00

These are the watches they was wearin'.

[Archae]

3. If it was a guy I would have been the same.

Scammers are constantly targeting me and my Mom.

I really hate them.

[BlueStreak]

12. A friend of mine got sucked into that earlier this week

By the time I heard about it, he had already gives the caller complete control of his PC for two hours. And he gave the caller his bank routing information. The "Microsoft person" needed that to "extend the warranty for $7.00, and Microsoft's credit card machine was down, so just give me your bank number."

Sounds ridiculous, but it worked. Fortunately I heard about it. We immediately pulled the plug on the computer, then went to the bank to close his accounts before any drafts could come through. But because we don't know how much data they got off his computer, we have been hard at work changing passwords on all his brokerage accounts, and in some cases closing those accounts altogether.

Then back to the computer to remove the viruses these aholes installed. In the end it doesn't appear they got anything this time and have probably moved on to a dozen other targets.

Pain in the butt.

[ohheckyeah]

14. My 87 year old mom

got the call, too. They told her she had a virus and she replied "no, I don't, my daughter takes care of my computer." And then she hung up on them. LOL

Go mom!

[BlueStreak]

20. Good for Mom !!!

People from that generation tend to be very strong authoritarians. Most of them have a very strong instinct to immediately submit to anybody presenting an air of authority. They are very easy targets of these predators.

You raised your Mom right.

[ohheckyeah]

28. When it comes to computers, I certainly did.

I set up the computer for my dad and her and gave them a schedule for running their virus scans, CCleaner, and Malwarebytes. I also instructed them that NOBODY takes remote control of the computer unless it's me. LOL If they have a problem I either take care of it in person or use TeamViewer to take care of it.

They listen really well.

[nadinbrzezinski]

31. Team viewer

Have never though about doing that with my mom's

[ohheckyeah]

33. It saves me a lot of driving and them a lot of waiting.

I just downloaded it my computer and their computer. It's easy to use and free.

You can find it here: http://www.teamviewer.com/en/index.aspx

[nadinbrzezinski]

35. Thanks, next time I fly to Mexico City will install it

In hers

[ohheckyeah]

39. I think you'll appreciate the convenience. n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

41. I am sure

[BlueStreak]

58. A word of caution about TeamViewer

It is a great tool. But beware that the "Microsoft Support" scammers may also use Team Viewer. They did in my friend's case. So if you install TeamViewer on somebody else's computer make sure they understand they are never, ever, under any circumstances to activate it for anybody but you.

[nadinbrzezinski]

60. Oh absolutely

[etherealtruth]

13. Of course you would have (no sarcasm directed toward you)

My mom is constantly (only somewhat an exaggeration) called ... she is elderly and is prone to giving the information requested; it scares the hell out of me.

[okaawhatever]

5. I know you may be busy, but have you thought of reporting it to either Microsoft or the authorities?

I offer that and hope those who are more informed will be able to provide a link.

[Archae]

34. I did several times in the past few years.

Heard nothing from them.

[okaawhatever]

40. Okay, bummer thanks. nt

[HappyMe]

8. Meh. I was rude just last week to the very same.

Scammers are scammers. Fuck 'em.

[pangaia]

9. How do you know it was a 'Nigerian accent?'

[TroglodyteScholar]

22. Have you ever heard a Nigerian accent?

It's fairly distinctive, although I suppose an American ear could mix it up with accents from neighboring areas...

Are you suggesting the poster is racist??

[HipChick]

25. I doubt the Average American can distinguish between a Nigerian accent

and say a Gambian accent, so yes, it is possible poster is racist

[TroglodyteScholar]

26. So racism would be your conclusion?

1) Is Nigeria or is Nigeria not generally known in the USA for its abundance of scammers?

2) If they'd said it was a Gambian scammer, by your logic, that would have been equally racist. So does that make your post racist?

3) Are Nigerians, on the whole, a separate race from Gambians? If I can be racist against one, but not the other, I guess it's news to me.

Goddamn, if you want to harass someone about racism, find someone who's actually behaving like a racist.

[HipChick]

27. How does he know the accent is Nigerian?...

3) Are Nigerians, on the whole, a separate race from Gambians? - Again...very racist

[Archae]

36. I have talked to other scammers before.

Scammers in Russia and India sound different from African scammers.

Scammers in the US sound oh-so-smooth, until I say no.

[TroglodyteScholar]

53. Guess I'm racist against Europeans, too

I may hear a Norwegian accent and mistake it for Danish. I just don't know why I'm so full of hatred... Please help.

P.S. The fact that you latched onto that one point and ignored my other two...well, it may appear to the less sophisticated reader that your position isn't being supported very well....

P.P.S. I'd also remind you that the original "racist" post said absolutely zero about race. Unless nationality and race are now the same thing, in which case no one bothered to tell the rest of us.

[mattclearing]

49. *applause* nt

[pangaia]

65. Racist? Who said anything about the poster being a racist? Wasn't me.

[TroglodyteScholar]

68. Your original "how do you know it's Nigerian" post...

...was sopping with chicken-shit innuendo, so I went ahead and put a name to it.

Bonus points: if you maintain that your post was not intended as a veiled accusation, please do explain its purpose. I see no other option.

Edit: one poster actually did jump on to support this ridiculous notion, and took it a step further by accusing me of racism because I don't see "Nigerian" and "Gambian" as races rather than nationalities. Fucking absurd.

[Gman]

10. This is an old scam but surprisingly

Many people buy it.

[John1956PA]

11. I vaguely remember receiving such a spoof "Microsoft" tech call. I hung up immediately.

I had forgotten all about it until I read your post. I remember telling my partner about it.

After I read your post, I browsed the Internet a bit to read up on these spoof Microsoft tech calls. Here is an excerpt from one article I found:

Microsoft's calling? Beware of this scam

HELLO, MISS. This is Microsoft tech support and we have detected a serious virus in your computer and we need you to log on right away so we can help you.

That's what the male voice said on the phone. He was insistent, almost in a panic, to help Somerton's Pat McGlone defend herself against a destructive virus that was attacking her computer.

Something about the call made retiree McGlone's "antenna go up."

First, they didn't get her name right. Second, they sounded foreign "and I know there's all these Nigerian scams going on," she says.

When McGlone asked his name, she didn't get a reply - he just kept talking, fast - and when she asked for a phone number so she could call to verify that it was Microsoft, he put a "manager" on. He also was insistent that McGlone act right now because "we are trying to help you."

. . .

More at http://articles.philly.com/2013-09-24/news/42326712_1_computer-tech-virus-phone-number

I do not expend emotional energy in dealing with such calls. I simply hang up and forget about them.

However, when I receive a spoof email purporting to be from a well known financial company, I will send an alert to the fraud investigation department of that company. The company usually replies to me with a confirmation that the email which I alerted about was indeed a spoof email.

[chrisa]

15. When they called last, I answered with "I AM SATAN!" in a demonic voice.

I talked like that the whole time. You would think they would have just hung up, but no, surprisingly.

[Major Nikon]

19. I got called with a fake survey on abortion

First question:

Do you consider yourself pro-choice or pro-life?

I'm pro-abortion.

Click.

[TroglodyteScholar]

23. Hahah YES

"I hate babies! Kill all the babies!"

(Super-click)

[NuclearDem]

21. Whenever I see a number I don't recognize, I like pulling out this voice.

See how long they last while I'm offering to mail them pizza rolls.

[TlalocW]

16. I try and Google the numbers I don't recognize that come up on my phone

Usually, the first result will tell me what the scam is. I received a call "from Microsoft" and answered it with their own scam. "Hi, this is Bob from Microsoft. I'm glad you called because our system shows that you have a virus on your computer. I'm going to need you to go to a website that will allow me control of your computer so that I can get rid of it for you. Let me know when you're ready."

Ten full seconds of silence then, "Thank you for your time." *hangup*

But damn it! I was really worried about their computer so I called the number back and told them, "Ma'am, this is Bob from Microsoft again. Like I said our system shows a virus on your computer, and we need to get rid of it..." *hangup*

Re-dial. "Ma'am, Bob from Microsoft again. It's obvious you don't care about computer safety, but I do! Now open up a browser!" *hangup*

Re-dial. My number was blocked.

TlalocW

[Lancero]

17. I've gotten two of em in the past week.

Hung up on both, but next one I get I'll be giving some intresting replies.

Wonder how the person will react to me saying "I'm in a orgy right now, call me back in a couple hours."

Anyway, given that a lot of the phone support's getting routed to India now a days, I'd put more money on the scammers being Indian rather then Nigerian.

[TroglodyteScholar]

24. Orgy?

If you really want to get 'em, say "fuck party."

Heh.

[MADem]

51. Say, hang on, let me go get my computer.....

Put the phone down, and go about your business. Leave the phone near a television or radio, so the scammer can hear sounds through the receiver.

You can keep 'em waiting for twenty minutes or more. They aren't screwing over other people when they're "on hold" with you!

I've gotten similar calls, and in my case they originated from Africa, not India. There's probably more than one outfit pulling this con, though.

[ohheckyeah]

29. I rather wish they would call me.

I could waste a lot of their time and enjoy it.

[DebJ]

30. I've been called twice recently. I SCREAMED into the phone both times

and then slammed it down.

[nadinbrzezinski]

32. I got the call

Had time on my hands, and played with the scammer.

When he told me to open sys using start. I asked if that was terminal?

Poor guy was confused.

After ten minutes of back and forth he finally asked in irritation, if I had an older version of Windows? So I broke the truth, I had this real new version called OSX. That's what came with my new computer and I could not find a start anything anywhere. Maybe he could help me? He hung up...he realized he was had.

I had time, and pretended to be dumb. Gave him nothing like control though.

[sakabatou]

37. If I don't recognize a number, I don't pick it up.

[nadinbrzezinski]

38. Due to work

I don't have that choice.

[sakabatou]

42. Oh

Nevermind then.

[nadinbrzezinski]

43. I play games with them when I have time though

[KinMd]

57. Same here..that's why God made caller ID

[Art_from_Ark]

44. I'm not rude, I just answer the phone in a foreign language

Preferably Japanese if I'm in the US. If the other party knows me, they'll say, "Is that you, Art?" If not, then I usually continue talking in Japanese

[Archae]

45. I just got this e-mail.

Good Morning,

With due respect, From the main files of last year transactions made
through this bank, we discovered that you have not received your fund
for over three (3) consecutive years.
The World Bank has arranged this payment to enable our contractors and
none contractors and those that could not finish the claiming of their
funds due to some reason to have their funds released to them.

Without wasting time kindly send your personal data for verifications
and if your name is listed we shall contact you back to credit your $
6.5 million Dollars into your account or we program it into an ATM card
depending your choice of transfer.


Every information that you may provide will be kept safe. Please kindly
respond back to me with your personal data.

YOU ARE NOT TO PAY ANY DELIVERY FEE OR INSURANCE FEE. EVERYTHING HAS
BEEN TAKING CARE OF.

CONGRATULATIONS IN ADVANCE.

BEST REGARDS,
MR. JAMES BLACK
DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE
FOREIGN OPERATIONS DEPT,
ACCESS BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC,
PHONE:[phone]

[Art_from_Ark]

48. I just got this e-mail

I am writing you a letter for the second time! Maybe you didn't receive
my letters. I duplicate the massage again:

Hi,
I represent an international consultancy. We recruit new department of
patrners, which will occupy different positions in different
prefectures of Japan. Basically, it is leadership positions. Salary
from マヤ 139.000 Euro per year + monthly premiums. Non-standard work
day. There are several kinds of collaboration with various degree of
workload.

If you are interested in a superior position, and you are
self-reliant, please reply quickly: [e-mail]


I can say unequivocally that I never received that first "massage"

[2naSalit]

46. Some other options

I like the speaking in Japanese, but I don't know that language or any other well enough that wold confuse someone from one of those countries. One of my friends is from an eastern European country and speaks a localized ethnic language that few would know so she picks up the phone and as soon as it seems fishy (she's highly educated and very savvy about scams) starts to lay on the foreign language. This frustrates the caller and they soon go away.

But if these folks are claiming to be from Microsoft, I would tell them that I have a Mac so they are full of it and be done with them.

Or, tell them you don't even have a computer so what are they talking about?

Or, make them think you are with some government agency and that they are under arrest and stay where they are because they are surrounded...

Or make them think you are following their instructions but don't do anything, just make them think they are getting what they want... just fake it until they either catch on or you can call them out. Could tell them you just reported them to authorities (pick one) by linking them to the agency and make them sweat.

Lots of ways to thwart their efforts, might as well have fun with it.

[MADem]

52. Hit 'em with pig latin--now that would be worth recording! nt

[Violet_Crumble]

47. I've gotten the fake Microsoft calls before...

I screw around with them and waste their time by telling them my computer's slow to start, and then if they're still there after a few minutes, I ask them what the apple appearing on my screen means. But I've trained my parents to hang up on them when they ring them...

My favourite was the scammer who called claiming to be from where I work and asked for my Tax File Number, which would give them all they need to do some major identity fraud. I got fake excited and said 'SO DO I!', asked them if they knew so-and-so and asked what office they worked in. They hung up on me quick

[Revanchist]

50. One of these days I'm going to have the nerve to pull a Rollins on one of these callers

[seveneyes]

54. Computer hijackers

These scammers still call here trying to get remote access so they can install their nastiness. I now play along and when they ask for my IP address, I give them ones for government machines like FBI, FTC etc. I can usually get them to attempt to connect to a dozen or so by playing stupid. When one IP fails, I play dumb and keep feeding them another IP until they give up. Afterwards, I file an online report with the FTC and provide time, numbers etc so maybe they can eventually bust these scambags.

These fuckers are real criminals. They either want to set your machine up to be a bot, or they want to break your machine so you can pay them to fix it.

[durablend]

55. I'm ashamed at all of you!

Clearly this was a WELL INTENTIONED HARD WORKING PERSON just trying to make a living over the phone (so say some DU'ers). Probably cried her eyes out after you RUDELY hung up on her.

TSK TSK TSK

[CBGLuthier]

56. I wish those folks would spring for a better connectionm

I always want to play with them but the connection is so poor it takes the fun out of it. Usually I will troll them for a few minutes acting kind of old and pathetic and then I tell them I have been programming computers since sometime around the unfortunate events that led to their conception. Only not so politely.

Do not care for scammers.

[Iggo]

59. Distinct Nigerian accent, eh?

Distinct from what? Non-Nigerian accents?

[Archae]

61. Look above, to answer #36.

[Iggo]

62. So, sounded African and you assumed Nigerian.

Why didn't you say so?

[Archae]

63. Well, what African country is notorious for running scams?

Even having scams named after the country?

[Blue_Tires]

64. Sorry about that, Arch

I've been using your phone number in all the fake ads I use to troll craigslist with...

So you might want to change that number...Because I'm worried that some crazies out there seriously believe they can show up at your door to (censored) your (censored) with your own (censored) for 24 straight hours while they (censored) a (censored) in front of a webcam...

[Catherine Vincent]

66. They've making phone calls now?

[Archae]

67. Just got another scammer phone call...

Tried something different.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024523567