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Not Another Scam Call Thread!
Old 08-18-2016, 12:43 PM   #1
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Not Another Scam Call Thread!

I couldn't find an old thread, hence this one.

I got a call from Microsoft and found out my computer was sending warning messages. The nice junior support guy had me turn on my computer (which was already on), and wanted me to push the Windows+R keys. Unfortunately for them, it "locked up" my computer. He had me restart several times where I said it did the same thing. I was then bumped up to a senior support technician and he wanted me to restart and push the F8 key. Well this totally locked up my computer. After several retries, I was bumped to another person who wanted me to hold the Alt key while pressing F8. He caused my computer to totally shut down and not restart. Had me unplug and plug in all cords to no avail. Finally, I ended it and said they wrecked my computer.

This went on for 15 minutes, so you're all welcome for not getting calls during that time. I don't understand why they went along with my scam back for so long as what I was telling them shouldn't be possible.
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Old 08-18-2016, 02:55 PM   #2
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Thank you for keeping them at bay for at least 15 minutes. The IRS already called me today ordering me to send them copious amounts of cash, followed by a robo call from some unnamed credit card company telling me my payment was in arrears. I pay the balance in full, every weekend.

If these people could just spend all this energy on something productive...
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Old 08-18-2016, 03:55 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by akck View Post
I couldn't find an old thread, hence this one.

I got a call from Microsoft and found out my computer was sending warning messages. The nice junior support guy had me turn on my computer (which was already on), and wanted me to push the Windows+R keys. Unfortunately for them, it "locked up" my computer. He had me restart several times where I said it did the same thing. I was then bumped up to a senior support technician and he wanted me to restart and push the F8 key. Well this totally locked up my computer. After several retries, I was bumped to another person who wanted me to hold the Alt key while pressing F8. He caused my computer to totally shut down and not restart. Had me unplug and plug in all cords to no avail. Finally, I ended it and said they wrecked my computer.

This went on for 15 minutes, so you're all welcome for not getting calls during that time. I don't understand why they went along with my scam back for so long as what I was telling them shouldn't be possible.
Are you kidding?

Microsoft will NEVER call you out of the blue. You gave them (the nice young scammer) access to your computer and they may have any user names and passwords you have stored on it. If I was you, I would be checking my bank and investment accounts to see if they got access (if you have that info stored). I would guess the scammers have all your personal information also. Good luck!
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Old 08-18-2016, 04:12 PM   #4
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Thanks for keeping them busy! Wondered why my phone was so quiet!

aja888 I think your sarcasm detector is malfunctioning 😁

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Early Retirement Forum mobile app
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Old 08-18-2016, 04:19 PM   #5
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As I write this I am waiting for the County Sheriff to come and arrest me for non payment of Federal Income Tax from 2014.
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Old 08-18-2016, 04:20 PM   #6
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aja888 I think your sarcasm detector is malfunctioning 😁

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Early Retirement Forum mobile app
I'm having a bad day.
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Old 08-18-2016, 04:20 PM   #7
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Federal Income Tax form 2014.
Uh oh - I've never filed a form 2014. Am I in trouble, too?
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Old 08-18-2016, 04:25 PM   #8
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Uh oh - I've never filed a form 2014. Am I in trouble, too?
That's even worse!

They will probably send the SWAT team.
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Old 08-18-2016, 04:48 PM   #9
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I got my first call from the Microsoft support team a couple of days ago.

A real person too. Goodbye!
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Old 08-18-2016, 05:50 PM   #10
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I wonder what they would say if I told them "that's odd my iPad seems to be working fine"

Sent from my iPad.
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Old 08-18-2016, 05:59 PM   #11
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Scammer (typically with a strong Indian accent): I am calling from Microsoft Technical Support, and we have determined that your computer is sending out bad messages on the Internet. Are you at your computer?
Me: No. Wait while I go to my computer... OK, I am at my computer.
Scammer: What do you see?
Me: I see a keyboard, a mouse, and a monitor.
Scammer: What do you see on the monitor?
Me: Nothing.
Scammer: Is your computer turned on?
Me: No. Hang on. Let me turn it on. OK, it's booting up. (Wait about 3 or 4 minutes) OK, it's waiting for me to log in. Can you see my computer on your Internet?
Scammer: You have to log in.
Me: OK. Hey, wait, how do I know you are not a scammer? My son told me to be careful about scammers calling on the phone.
Scammer: Sir, I am calling from Microsoft Technical Support to help you fix your computer. Have you logged in to your computer.
Me: Yes, I am logged in.
Scammer: Good. Now press the Windows key and the R key at the same time.
Me: OK.
Scammer: Do you see a window that says Run?
Me: No.
Scammer: Did you press the Windows key and the R key at the same time?
Me: Yes, I think so.
Scammer: Try it again.
Me: Nope. Nothing.
Scammer: OK, can you open a browser?
Me: Yes. Hang on. OK, I see a browser window that is displaying Google in large letters.
Scammer: Click in the address bar near the top of the window and enter blahblahblah.com/scamprogram.exe.
Me: OK, my computer is asking if I want to download scamprogram.exe.
Scammer: Yes, go ahead and download it.
Me: Where should I download it to?
Scammer: Anywhere. It doesn't matter.
Me: OK, I downloaded it to my Downloads folder.
Scammer: OK, now go into your Downloads folder and double-click on scamprogram.exe.
Me: OK. I double-clicked it and nothing happened.
Scammer: Make sure you hold your mouse still when you double-click.
Me: OK. I double-clicked it again and my computer is asking if I want to install something called Wine. I don't think I want to do that.
Scammer: Are you sure you are double-clicking on scamprogram.exe?
Me: Yes.
Scammer: Do you know what version of Windows you are running?
Me: Windows? My son set me up with Raspbian on a Raspberry Pi. It's got windows, but I don't know how to tell what version it is.
Scammer: So do you have any PCs running Microsoft Windows?
Me: No. But I suppose I must if you are calling me...
Scammer: (Finally cluing in) Why would you waste my time like this?
Me: To prevent you from harming people during the time we have been talking. And I will happily waste your time whenever you or your cronies purporting to be from Microsoft Technical Support call.
Scammer: (Swear words)...hangs up.

You're welcome.
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Old 08-18-2016, 11:22 PM   #12
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I wonder what they would say if I told them "that's odd my iPad seems to be working fine"

Sent from my iPad.
A couple of years ago, I told them all I had was an iPad and iPhone and no computer. He just didn't believe me, saying we must have a laptop or something else. That call went for about 5 minutes.
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Old 08-19-2016, 04:42 AM   #13
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Thanks for keeping them busy! Wondered why my phone was so quiet!

aja888 I think your sarcasm detector is malfunctioning ��

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LOL!

Microsoft is calling me every other week. I don't have the patience to talk to them.
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Old 08-19-2016, 05:26 AM   #14
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I dragged one along for about 10 minutes then put the phone down. She was still on the line saying "can you hear me?" then she hung up.

THEN!!! She called me back! I said I had a bad phone connection and hung up on her. She called back again! We did this for 4 separate call backs...she must've thought she had a real fish on the line.

Finally I confessed that I didn't have MSoft and had a Chromebook.

Click.

Oh, and my mom is going to jail due to an IRS audit. I asked if I could get my inheritance now since she was going to jail for life.

Mom hung up on me!!
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Old 08-19-2016, 09:40 AM   #15
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As much fun as that is, I'll just say this works:

https://www.amazon.com/Tel-Sentry-Au.../dp/B00U1PPWDO

People that want to talk to you, the very first time they call, do need to call once, then call back. But I've had no problem with family, doctors' offices, mechanics, etc. They listen to the automated message (I have it configured so my phone doesn't ring), hang-up, call back, and my phone rings. The next time they call, my phone rings right-off...no muss, no fuss.

PS: Don't pinch pennies on the 1.0 version. Get the 2 or (I suppose) the 2.2. Mine is a 2 and it's great.
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Old 08-19-2016, 12:35 PM   #16
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Help is on the way, this just in from Reuters -

Quote:
More than 30 major technology companies are joining the U.S. government to crack down on automated, prerecorded telephone calls that regulators have labeled a "scourge."
Quote:
The strike force will report to the commission by Oct. 19 on "concrete plans to accelerate the development and adoption of new tools and solutions," said AT&T Chief Executive Officer Randall Stephenson, who is chairing the group.
Quote:
The group hopes to put in place Caller ID verification standards that would help block calls from spoofed phone numbers and to consider a "Do Not Originate" list that would block spoofers from impersonating specific phone numbers from governments, banks or others.
AT&T, Apple, Google to work on 'robocall' crackdown | Reuters
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Old 08-19-2016, 12:45 PM   #17
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When I get a call from a scammer I start out by asking what color their underwear is, and the conversation goes downhill from there.

It's been pretty successful at getting me off their lists.
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Old 08-19-2016, 01:34 PM   #18
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Help is on the way, this just in from Reuters -
Anyone want to start a pool on how many hours it will take the scammers to find a new way around whatever rules get put in place?
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Old 08-19-2016, 01:47 PM   #19
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Anyone want to start a pool on how many hours it will take the scammers to find a new way around whatever rules get put in place?
I had a pretty good run using the National Do Not Call Registry, something changed (technology?) in the last 2-3 years.
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Old 08-19-2016, 02:05 PM   #20
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Since what the scammers are doing is illegal in the first place I don't really think they care about the laws.
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