So I just got a call from India about "Windows operating system on your computer."

[hedda_foil]

Of course I told the guy that I'd never do anything on the basis of an unsolicited phone call. I decided to see if Google could point me to any additional info about this scam, which of course it did:

I am calling you from Windows”: A tech support scammer dials Ars ...
arstechnica.com/.../i-am-calling-you-from-windows-a-tech-support-scamme...
Oct 4, 2012 - Cold caller from "Windows Technical Support" asks for remote access to my PC. ... My phone showed only "Private Caller" and, when I answered out of curiosity, I was ... This scam itself is a few years old now, but I had not personally .... Microsoft never provides support for the Windows operating system and ...


If you get a call about your computer, it's a scam. - Daily Kos
www.dailykos.com/.../-If-you-get-a-call-about-your-computer-it-s-a-scam
Feb 20, 2014 - DO NOT BE FOOLED. If you ever get a phone call from Dell, Microsoft, Apple, HP, or "Windows Operating System," it's a scam. If you have time, ...

What happens if you play along with a Microsoft 'tech support' scam ...
www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-04/11/malwarebytes
by Olivia Solon - Apr 11, 2013 - For the uninitiated, the scam involves people in Indian call centres ringing up ...

www.computerworld.com › Security › Cybercrime and Hacking
by Gregg Keizer - Nov 20, 2013 - A year after an FTC crackdown, scammers persist in trying to dupe PC ... "I received six phone calls about this Windows support scam," said ...

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. Well, that's your problem right there. You've got Windows on your computer ;) nt

[whistler162]

42. At least windows don't rot like Apples

or die like Penguins!

[awoke_in_2003]

47. At least with Windows 7 the Blue Screen of Death is gone...

it has been replaced with a green one. Progress

[RKP5637]

53. Yep, that's the root cause of the problem, right there! n/t

[SunSeeker]

2. "Microsoft never provides support for the Windows operating system"

LOL. Yup, everyone who's got Windows should know that!

[Paulie]

4. Technically that is true

The OEM version you get bundled with a computer purchase is supported by the computer maker/bundler, not Microsoft.

[Spider Jerusalem]

3. I've gotten those.

My response was to inform the suspiciously Indian-accented "Sam" or "Jack" or "Bill" or whatever the probably-fake generic-Anglo name he gave me was that I had Linux. Which led to a moment of silence from the other end, then an incomprehending "...Lee-nooks? I don't"...and my responding "well if you don't know what Linux is then you're pretty obviously not much of a computer technician, eh?" *click*

[csziggy]

10. I've been telling them that I got tired of all the calls from Microsoft

Security Services so I put Linux on my computers. Some of them don't know what Linux is, some say (to the effect of) "Oh shit" but it gets them off my case.

Before I was just laughing at them and hanging up but I think it started to piss them off. For a while there they were calling really often.

Next time maybe I'll tell them I have an Apple.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

23. That's about like ordering JUST THE TACOS on Taco Tuesday and when they ask if you want a drink,...

....just say, "Naw. We've got beer back at the place."

Shuts em up instantly.

[csziggy]

37. Exactly.

I got really pissed off at them the day after my Dad's funeral. They called my Mom and tried to harass her into turning on her computer. Thank goodness I was there so when she got confused by their accent, she handed the phone to me.

I took the handset into a different room and gave them hell about going after an old woman the day after she buried her husband. The guy was actually ashamed and apologized. Claimed he was going to take her number off their list. I don't believe him, but at least he acted as though he had a heart.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

41. A lot of these scammers employ people who don't even know they're working for a scammer.

[customerserviceguy]

51. Good job!

Frankly, the dead giveaway that a call is BS and not from someone you know is the pause after you say hello. They have to figure out if they have a live one before connecting the boiler room stooge.

No response to my sole "hello" in two seconds, and I'm hanging right back up.

[brush]

60. I've gotten a call too about my Windows system

I played along then finally told him I have a Mac. He hung up then.

[hobbit709]

5. I tell them my computer is running DOS.

[Initech]

31. I tell them I use Ubuntu or Free BSD.

That gets them off the phone pretty quick.

[PowerToThePeople]

6. I got a phone call once

I do not have a single computer running Windows OS.

[NBachers]

7. So, hedda_foil, how do you feel so far about posting this thread?

[hedda_foil]

11. I'm glad I posted it as a reminder to non-geek DUers that these calls are scams.

[Skittles]

8. they're probably more knowledgeable than the real tech support

[DeSwiss]

21. !

[Triana]

9. That one seems to be going around. Generally..

...any unsolicited call or email that tells you to visit any particular internet site or to type any particular commands into your OS is likely bogus / a scam.

[Warren DeMontague]

12. Scam.

[JDPriestly]

13. My 97-year-old mother got that call too.

She does not have a computer. She was rather confused by the caller who had a foreign accent.

Those calls are a total scam.

[CTyankee]

14. I've gotten a couple of those. I just hang up. I don't have the time or the inclination to play

games with these people.

[greatauntoftriplets]

16. I do the same thing.

Have no interest in giving them the time of day.

[Jim Lane]

18. That's usually my reaction, but not always.

Sometimes I get the call when I'm doing something that doesn't require my complete attention. I can keep on with my task while stringing along the scammer. I ask them all sorts of stupid questions but sound positive enough to keep them hoping that I might fall for it.

My goal is to have one of them hang up on me, but I've never achieved that. They're remarkably patient, and they'll keep up with the scam longer than I'll keep up with the counterscam. Eventually I get bored, tell them off, and hang up.

Nevertheless, I figure it's a public service. The time he spent talking with me was time he wasn't calling someone else who might fall for it.

[CTyankee]

19. I hope you tell them that. Let them know that they have just wasted their precious time trying

to scam you and the game is up now. HA HA!

Let them glower in resentment and wonder if there isn't a better way to earn a living...

[Jim Lane]

43. I'm ambivalent about how nasty to be.

What holds me back is the suspicion that, for many of them, it may be that there is NOT a better way to earn a living. The caller often has an Indian accent and my image of India is that there aren't a lot of high-paying jobs there.

I usually settle for making it clear that I was stringing them along from the beginning. At least that way he doesn't think it was his fault for not giving a better pitch.

[Hekate]

15. They usually give up on me after I demand a phone number so I can call them back

What crooks.

[Cha]

17. Thank you you for the PSA, hedda!

[intaglio]

20. Links to the articles mentioned + my response to the guys working the scam

Ars Technica
Daily Kos
Wired
Computer World

My response is just the simple - "You do know you are working for criminals, don't you? Goodbye,"

[abelenkpe]

22. Can't believe people answer the phone

From an unrecognized number ever.

[PasadenaTrudy]

24. You beat me to it

They must still be on landlines, the savages

[truebluegreen]

35. You must not believe in Skype then.

Or anything similar.

[abelenkpe]

38. No I skype

Last edited Sat Aug 9, 2014, 09:58 PM - Edit history (1)

On the internet. (Cable) I would never answer a call from an unrecognized number. Most people under 50 are the same.

Why would you think that using skype would require one to answer an unsolicited call or a call from an unknown number?

[truebluegreen]

45. Because when you are calling over the internet

to people who don't "skype" that's how it works. I don't have a land line, but many of the people I call are even less tech savvy than I am and that's all they do have.

[abelenkpe]

48. They would be expecting your call then

They're not answering a call from an unrecognized number or rather address are they? The first call is always awkward for those new to Skype.

I think phone scams like those in the Op prey on the elderly and will fade away in years to come replaced by ever evolving internet phishing scams. I'm always telling my parents to just let the answering machine pick up any number they don't recognize. But habit keeps them picking up and getting tangled up with sales people and scam artists.

[JI7]

25. someone once suggested playing along with them and keeping them on the line

if you have time.

it means more time and money is used up on someone who will not fall for the scam and maybe it could discourage them from doing it.

things like asking them which computer , making up some other things .

[elfin]

26. If I have time, I squeal" REALLY? let me go check."

Then come back and shout " You are RIGHT!!! You DO have a problem on your computer! Just give me your credit card number and after $39.95 I can fix it just Jim dandy!

The caller usually hangs up before I can give him the bad news I have a total Mac household.

[SummerSnow]

27. I got those , I tell them I threw my computer out.lol

[Mr.Bill]

28. Give the phone to your three year old

and tell them it's Santa Claus.

[txwhitedove]

29. I got a call from a nice lady this week on my cell "...on behalf of Amigo Energy and Centerpoint

Energy" they wanted to schedule 45-minutes at my house to check the free A/C check-up I got earlier this summer from Amigo Energy, my electricity provider. I said, "So basically you want to inspect the inspection?" When she said uh Yes, I asked why. She said it was to make sure I was satisfied. I said, "Yep I'm satisfied." You are? "Yes, very satisfied, good-bye." Very weird.

[Initech]

30. I'd hang up on them immediately -it's a scam.

I build and maintain all my PCs - I would never outsource a third party technical support service.

And thank god for caller ID - if you don't who it is, don't answer! For the love of all things holy, do not answer!

[MurrayDelph]

32. We get one of these about every other week

Sometimes, I just hang up on them.

Sometimes I call them crooks and hang up on them.

Once I asked him to identify which of the four computers in my house the message was coming from, and when he couldn't I asked him how he could tell a problem was coming from me if he didn't have my IP address, and he hung up.

Now, I interrupt them and say "Does your mother know you are calling elderly people in America to steal money from them? Do you think she would be proud of swindling old people? Why don't you find a job where she can be proud of what you do?" and hang up on them.

[suffragette]

58. I received a steady stream for awhile, then said I would report to Attorney General

And they stopped, at least for now.
They know that's an empty threat in their case, but also then know I won't ever do what they need.

I think I'm going to change to your response now, though.

There's the chance with your response, however small, that it could help change someone's life by getting them to think about what they are doing and shift to a better path.

[Wolf Frankula]

33. This Is a Scam

My wife works for Microsoft X-Box Tech Support. Microsoft NEVER, repeat NEVER cold calls users. This is a scam. Tell them you a: don't use Microsoft products. b: Ask them why the dead pony they delivered still has 'lots of good meat on it' 'The children expected a nice rotten pony to play with'. or c: Where's the fo' ca' wi' tha wuh still on it. they promised.

Wolf

[RadicalGeek]

34. Did I Ever Shut These Folks up Good

I told them:
"I know your game. I work at a help desk and deal with the damage you do everyday!"

(I forgot, alas, to get the phone number)

[mr blur]

36. That one's getting really, really old. nt

[littlewolf]

39. I just tell em I have a Mac household.

I did that once. they next time I got an airhorn
and blasted the phone. never got another call.

[missingfink]

40. I have a problem

I am sure I have picked up a computer virus. Some time ago I did use a remote service to repair a similar problem. What is the best way to have this virus fixed safely?

[SwankyXomb]

46. Download the free version of MalwareBytes

from http://www.malwarebytes.org/ and run it, then run your regular antivirus, then MB again. If it's still there, head over to the Computer Help forum and ask there.

[freshwest]

44. Bookmark this website to find out who and what these calls are:

http://800notes.com/

Type in the number before you pick up and find out who it is. The threads there are a hoot sometimes.

You will know if the call is legit, but none of these 'check your computer' calls are. They are all scams.

Sometimes I don't and I answer the call. So I tell them the truth. I run all Macs so they can't help, but I thank them and wish them good luck.

I consider their having such a shitty job to be a punishment in itself so I don't get mad at them. They are most likely poor and desparate to have that job and can't get another.

It never hurts to be kind and then say good bye. If they keep on calling I block the number.

Just remind people that their bank, the comany that sold them their machine, etc. don't spend money on outreach. So it ain't them.

[airplaneman]

50. I use this one that works pretty good

http://whocallsme.com/

I never answer if I don't know who it is and sometime I look up the number to confirm it is a scam anyway.

-Airplane

[freshwest]

52. That's the one I used to use, but began the other. 800 is about scams, mostly. Thanks.

[airplaneman]

49. I don't answer a phone call if I don't know who it is.

They NEVER leave a message which is a tells all by itself.
-Airplane

[RKP5637]

54. Yep, same here ... n/t

[treestar]

55. I got that type of call

Using Apple, I knew it didn't apply. I tell unsolicited callers I never do anything over the phone. And hang up.

[IDemo]

56. The classic way to deal with any junk caller -

[Revanchist]

57. Although I've never been brave enough to try it

I like Henry Rollins' approach

[ChromeFoundry]

59. Immediately ask them if they want your credit card number, so they can fix it....

Then tell them to hold on. Put the phone on the table and walk away.