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Post by Claire on Nov 19, 2010 15:12:41 GMT 1
SCAM WARNING! Hi all just a quick warning to all forum members about a telephone scam which is doing the rounds. Just got a phone call from someone saying they were from Microsoft and that I had a virus/malware operating from or on my computer (very strong Asian accent found it hard to understand exactly what they were saying) and that I should start my computer up and let them do a check on it. Well I am suspicious by nature plus I thought it unlikely Microsoft would actually call people so I asked for the number and said I'd ring back. Checked on google and it seems there is a scam going around where they ask you to install certain stuff on your computer and from that they extract your details. I know most of you would probably be suspicious if you got a similar phone call but I realise that people are so worried about a virus damaging their computer that they might go through with the spurious 'fix' The phone number they called from was 02032864827 (which is different from the one they gave me to call back on!) phoneowner.info/Number.aspx/02032864827
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Post by susanb on Nov 19, 2010 18:19:33 GMT 1
Thanks for the warning! In general, I'm suspicious of anyone who calls me, because in my experience people who call you are always scammers. Getting in touch with people who can actually do anything to help you usually involves a four-hour phone wait listening to musak
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2010 18:53:17 GMT 1
Getting in touch with people who can actually do anything to help you usually involves a four-hour phone wait listening to musak lol that would be about right Thanks Claire.
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Post by Claire on Nov 19, 2010 20:32:45 GMT 1
Getting in touch with people who can actually do anything to help you usually involves a four-hour phone wait listening to musak Yes thats what I thought too, one of the reasons I was suspicious, however we do get a huge amount of cold calling in the UK, possibly more than the USA? BTW the scam is operating in both the UK and USA altho not sure if elsewhere.
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Post by garej on Nov 19, 2010 20:38:10 GMT 1
Thanks. I have recently renewed my McAfee subscription, so if there was any viruses on my computer then it should pick it up.
I have heard also that there is some great free virus checkers on the internet, but on the other hand, there are some viruses masquerading virus scanners so I only trust something that you can buy in a shop! (The only reason why I had McAfee in the first place is that it came with my PC.)
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Post by haffyfan on Nov 19, 2010 20:41:46 GMT 1
Being naive here most likely - but how the heck do they know you have a virus in the first instance and then how do they have your phone number to kindly conntact you sprung to my mind immediatly.
Btw it would seem the 'your parcel couldn't be delivered', ring this premium number scan is going around around again...
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Post by garej on Nov 19, 2010 20:43:21 GMT 1
Being naive here most likely - but how the heck do they know you have a virus in the first instance and then how do they have your phone number to kindly conntact you sprung to my mind immediatly. I am not sure either, but my guess is that they go through the phone book.........
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Post by Claire on Nov 19, 2010 21:18:09 GMT 1
Yes they prob look thru the phone book to get your number. They dont actually know if people have viruses or not they just say that in the hope people will panic and let them 'sort it out' They probably also count on the fact that a lot of peoples computers have certain problems which they will then attribute to a virus when someone tells them one has been detected. Its a nasty scam that preys on people's fears. BTW I use a free virus software AVG it is very well known and 100% safe and it seems to have no issues with interfering with running of computer as some of the ones you pay for do. If anyone is interested I can send them a link to download it.
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Post by darkhorse on Nov 19, 2010 22:13:15 GMT 1
Thanks for the warning.
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Post by exmoorfan on Nov 29, 2010 11:56:35 GMT 1
Thanks Claire.... I am suspicious of cold calling on the phone or at the door and usually put the phone down on them or don't answer the door to poeple carrying clipboards..lol I use the free AVG too.Very reliable I've found.. haffy is right about the postal scam going around too .And also there is one at checkouts where they charge you for cashback so check your reciepts..
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