to think that this is a potential scam

[bigbluebus]

Just received phone call on an 'unavailable' number from person who said his name was Andy Ball or Bell from MSI asking for Mrs Bigbluebus.
Said he was ringing about an error message on my computer - so I asked him which computer. He replied "the one registered in the name of Mrs Bigbluebus". I asked him what type of computer it was and he said "it could be a desk top or a laptop - its the one with the windows operating system".
Now I consider myself to be incredibly naive where computers are concerned but it sounded to me like he was fishing or (phishing) for information and that he knew absolutely nothing about me and my computer other than my name and phone number - so I'm afraid I was rather blunt with him and told him that if I had a problem with my computer then I would contact the appropriate people to get it sorted - at which point he cut the call off.

Was I right to be suspicious and think that this was some sort of scam in the making or have I just offended some poor call centre operator who was genuinely trying to help me?

[whackamole]

Yes, is it a well known scam.

[Andrewofgg]

Tell them to put it in writing.

If they ask for your address invite them to go forth and multiply and put the phone down.

[biddysmama]

yep, its going round atm

[NevermindtheNargles]

We get about 4 or 5 of these a week. One told me there was a computer virus in our area(!)

I just tell them I haven't got a computer now. It's definitely a scam.

[NevermindtheNargles]

We get about 4 or 5 of these a week. One told me there was a computer virus in our area(!)

I just tell them I haven't got a computer now. It's definitely a scam.

[SnakeOnCrack]

Yes, it's a scam. They tell you you're infected and need to download an antivirus thingamabob and talk you through going to a website and getting it etc.

Just tell them you have a mac.. or no computer.. or spin it out like I did. He seemed to get rather annoyed after he'd taken me through the "steps" for quite a while and I then asked if the computer should be on.

[Red2011]

THIS IS A SCAM. We get calls from these people every two or three days.

Don't give them any information, and don't bother calling them back. Unfortunately with the unregistered number you can't block them. Every time they ring me I just tell them I don't have a computer. Next time they ring (and they usually say they are from windows support - I shall tell them about my double glazing. "Oh, I thought you meant my front windows..")

[LadyBeagleEyes]

I got one today to discuss the fault in my computer.
I said there's nothing wrong with my computer and he cut me off.

[bigbluebus]

Lol SnakeOnCrack - I like that idea about stringing him along and then asking if you should have switched the computer on! If he rings again when I happen to be at a loose end, might try that one.
Glad I didn't fall for it though - my DH would have gone mad at me!

[poppyknot]

I am just waiting for my mum to tell me they have had a call. Not a PC in sight in their house but they are always unfailingly (and long-windedly) polite to any callers.......

[troisgarcons]

Help me here fellas - what exactly is the scam?

[hopenglory]

Tell them you use a mac

[Andrewofgg]

Turn the tables, bite the biter:

"Just turning on my computer now, but while we are waiting can we discuss you claiming compensation for the accident you had which wasn't your fault" and off you go into the no-win, no-fee line until the caller gets bored and puts the phone down! :o

[whoneedssleepanyway]

I got one of these the first time on Tuesday this week saying they had detected rogue files being transmitted to my computer, trying to sell me some virus protection or something...WTF I went mental at them for ringing me and hung the phone up on them.

[AMumInScotland]

There are two parts to the scam - they get you to sign up to their "service" for some actual money. And/or they direct you to a website which is full of viruses which will infect your PC and send them all your private information or give them access to your PC directly, and then they take your money.

[AMumInScotland]

Personally, I now get angry at them and tell them I know it is a scam and could they just Fuck Off. We get them far too often to bother playing games with them - I'm just not that bored

[Itsjustafleshwound]

But usually my callers are 'Brad' from somewhere in deepest India or 'Dave' with a thick accent - it also sounds so scripted - a real give -away

[StringOrNothing]

"No, I think you must have the wrong number, I don't use Windows, I use an experimental operating system called Pombear".

[worzelswife]

We get lots of these calls too and it always comes from an international company. I hate to think of people falling for it - it's always people who are most vulnerable isn't it. I'd string them up by their ear lobes if I could.

[LRDTheFeministDragon]

Ask them if Dave is there. You spoke to him recently and he was so helpful. Only Dave will do. Can you put Dave on now? No ... the other Dave. Dave will know me, he's been round for tea. He was so kind last winter. He'll want to know how the cats are doing, please put him on. No? Well can you give him a message about Mr Tibbles please?

That's as far as I've ever got before they hung up.

[AMumInScotland]

Actually I'm thinking of talking to the next one and asking if he works for a company or if he bought the list somewhere. I've probably had 50 calls like this - if its one company they are very inefficient. So I wonder if people are "franchising" this scam out to individuals who buy the list and the script.

Maybe if they realised they had been scammed too (since at least 50 people must have been solde the same list and script, so it's useless) then they might spread the word round India that it's not worth paying out to the franchisee for?

[MedusaIsHavingABadHairDay]

'My computer is a mac' works every time (mine IS a mac tho I still had one chap try and tell me it was infected with a windows virus ..)

Though I rather like the Pombear system I may have to try that next time...

[HPonEverything]

I think I'd let him talk me through the steps and then explain that I'm still using a Commodore 64 :o

[clam]

I had one of these a little while back. I sidestepped into a row discussion about how he had got my phone number (we are registered with the TPS). He maintained that we had given it to the store when we bought the PC, and anyway what was "such a big deal about him having my number.
I was able to tell him we'd bought our machine (online, as it happens) whilst living at our previous house, with our old telephone number, so we must be talking bollocks.
Think we put the phone down on each other!

[LoveBeingIgnoredByMardyBra]

I must admit to being a bit of a birch when I get these types of calls. With this one I think I told them if they called again I would be contacting the police