Windows Tech Scam

[shadowkat]

Over the past two months, I've received about five or six phone calls from Windows Tech Scammers. Sometimes they miss me and leave a message, one time I told them they had the wrong number, because I couldn't understand a word they were saying. They all have a thick "Indian" or "Bengali" accent - - in short they sound like the people in my neighborhood. Which could fool you, since Dell has a habit of outsourcing it's tech support to India.

Cold Caller: This is about your computer and..
Me: Who is this?
Hangs up.

Two days later:

Cold Caller: This Ari from Windows Tech Support and we are calling about your computer.
Me: I know this is a scam
Cold Caller: I assure you it is not a scam.
Me: Do not call this number ever again or I will have you arrested.

A week later:

Cold Caller: Hello, this is Ali from Windows Tech Support, I'm calling -
Me: Going to interrupt you right there -
Cold Caller: Excuse me, Miss, but I am calling about your computer -
Me: Actually you aren't because I don't have a computer.
Cold Caller: You don't have one?
ME: No, you have the wrong number.

Two days later.

Cold Caller: This is Rohig from Windows Tech Support, I calling about computer Id number ....
Me: How did you get my computer ID number?
Cold Caller: It is on file - (No, actually they got my IP address from various social media that I write on. Including Livejournal. But you can't do anything with an IP address nor can you tell what computer or operating system the person has. The assumption is everyone has windows, but there are various types of operating systems as any true techie knows. It helps to have tech friends.)
Me: That's impossible since I don't have a Windows Computer. And by the way, I work for Homeland Security. [I got fed up with all the phone calls. You'd think they'd get the message?]
Cold Caller: How can you not have a computer and work for Homeland Security?
ME: It's not a computer with a Windows Operating System, you aren't very bright are you? And my friend works for Microsoft and I know for a fact that Microsoft never calls customers.
Cold Caller: That's not true, we do call-
Me: You should know that this call is being traced and the police are on their way to arrest you as we speak. Goodbye.

I swear, next time they call me, I'm going to get a name, address, and as much info as possible, lead them on while inserting it all into Microsoft Windows Fraud Complaint Form. I've already filed a complaint about both numbers, after blocking them.

If this happens to you? Here are some helpful links:

* Tech Journalist Plays Along with Scammers to See What They do

* Computerworld article on Cybercrime and Windows Tech Support Scammers

* Microsoft Safety and Security Against Cybercrime -- provides a link that you can file a report on the scam and what happened, so the company can pursue the scammers.

* Report the Call to the Authorities

* Discussion of Scam:

Also, you can look up the number, which should be logged in your caller history - if you have a digital phone. Google it. File a complaint. I did that for both numbers. Then I blocked them.

Note - Windows and software developers never call you if there is a problem with their software. They send an update to your Windows software and that takes care of it. The computer manufacturer handles tech support, not the software operating system. So if you get a call like this it is a scam.

Comments

[honorh.livejournal.com]

They call us ALL THE TIME! Usually, the calls have been bounced around somewhere in the States, but the callers have thick accents. I wish telling them to go away would work, but it hasn't so far.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

The only thing that worked for me was blocking the call. Then they grab a new phone number and do it again.
Persistent little buggers. I kept reporting the number they are using, and filing complaints.

Now, I'm going to tell them that I work for Windows Tech Support - when they call and see what happens.