Got a call from microsoft saying my pc is hacked/virus

[Craig234]

Actually, if you have the time, hold the caller on the line as long as possible. But don't do anything on your computer.

I kept two of them on a call for about an hour this year - I told them they were crooks, and we discussed everything from how his mother would feel about his being a criminal, to how his actions hurt people, to a phony discussion with him lying about where he was located to his asking me to help him get an honest job instead. I even said why I was keeping the call going, to keep him from being able to scam someone while he was on the phone, and he took the bait saying he wouldn't hang up, and didn't for a long time. It's a known scam.

 

[Craig234]

It would be nice to have a computer set up just with phony information for this scam to give them lost to collect and try to go through and waste their time.

 

[Berliner]

I kept two of them on a call for about an hour this year ...

Wow, I guess scammers can be lonely (and) people, too.

Good job anyway, must have been fun. I have never gotten a call.

 

[SearchMaster]

I went through this with my 75+ year old neighbor a few months ago

By the time she notified me about the situation, she had already given them her credit card and let them remotely access her PC. I had to reformat, etc., and she cancelled her CC and changed the passwords on all her financial-related websites. Fortunately all they got was the $150 (IIRC) for the original "diagnosis and fix". She did say it was running better after they installed whatever

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

I had one of these. I called a few people I know and I don't think I'll ever hear from those people again.

 

[DigDog]

stop trolling the newb

 

[Paratus]

Microsoft? They guy that called me was from, "The Windows"

 

[PliotronX]

ive been waiting for those calls. see how far they get before they realize i run linux distros and windows never sees the outside of vbox.

my parents got the call and i have them all on linux except for their ipad.

You devil! I read another thread where somebody was going to set up a VM of Windows 3.1 for them to try to remote onto.

 

[Chocu1a]

I had one of these calls a year ago. I just saying "nuh-uh" to everything he said for like, 30 minutes.
At the end, just before he was to get my info, I asked him if this would work on a mac, because that is what I was using. He hung up.

 

[TeeJay1952]

15 calls like this a week.
I have reverted to answer machine as default.

 

[PliotronX]

I had one of these calls a year ago. I just saying "nuh-uh" to everything he said for like, 30 minutes.
At the end, just before he was to get my info, I asked him if this would work on a mac, because that is what I was using. He hung up.

Haaaah, I can see it going down like this.

 

[Fritzo]

I love these calls. I'll start screwing with them to see how long I can keep them going.

"Oh, you're from Microsoft security too? Nice to hear from a co-worker! How's Dave up in sector 6? Do they ever let him out of his office? Haw-haw! Did they ever upgrade your systems to the new X49w standard? I know it's on the board but you know how Mary likes to hold up the process. Hey, you free to join us for our tech lunch next week?"

 

[z1ggy]

I love these calls. I'll start screwing with them to see how long I can keep them going.

"Oh, you're from Microsoft security too? Nice to hear from a co-worker! How's Dave up in sector 6? Do they ever let him out of his office? Haw-haw! Did they ever upgrade your systems to the new X49w standard? I know it's on the board but you know how Mary likes to hold up the process. Hey, you free to join us for our tech lunch next week?"

This is the only appropriate response. Epic trolling of trolls is always great.

 

[Linux23]

why i never hear about this?


sounds fun!

 

[DigDog]

i actually spent about an hour once with some indian guy trying to pull the same stunt on me.
after a while, he asked me how long did my pc take to boot. i told him about 25 seconds (this was a super-trimmed XP, without service pack, no SSDs) and he got all offended because "no computer can start that fast". then he hanged upon me.

 

[ElFenix]

joke would be on these guys if they called me, my event viewer has been broken for years

It would be nice to have a computer set up just with phony information for this scam to give them lost to collect and try to go through and waste their time.

a couple of people around here have virtual machines set up just for this purpose.

 

[mpo]

It would be nice to have a computer set up just with phony information for this scam to give them lost to collect and try to go through and waste their time.

I set up XP on a VM when I was getting the calls.

It was annoying, just encouraged the scammers to call back.

 

[HN]

what the hell? i thought this would be such an absurd scam that it wouldn't happen often. you guys are saying this is a normal thing and happens all the time?

now i feel bad that i HAVEN'T gotten one of those calls. would have been fun to play along like with the printer cartridge callers.

 

[Elixer]

Hmm.. perhaps people that do let these scammers into their VM's, should post their IPs. I am guessing it is all non US IP addresses ?

I also think someone who gets the call say, "Wow, that is cool, I have the FBI here doing security investigations, and someone from MS as well ? Cool! Let me put the FBI agent on the line, and you guys can work together!"

 

[schmuckley]

Guy called me as I was running Linux..
LOL
He sounded Indian.
Telling me to hit "Wndows key+R"

Also told me to download some client-server thingy.

 

[Markbnj]

what the hell? i thought this would be such an absurd scam that it wouldn't happen often. you guys are saying this is a normal thing and happens all the time?

They seem to be pretty good at targeting older folks who are vulnerable to the fear-mongering because they don't understands computers all that well. I don't know where they get the names and numbers.

 

[ismypc]

Guy called me as I was running Linux..
LOL
He sounded Indian.
Telling me to hit "Wndows key+R"

Also told me to download some client-server thingy.

lol thats what he told me D:... He also picked up my name from my dad and said "mr.ajay" i said yea its me... But i just couldn't buy his david wolf name and indian voice..

 

[Printer Bandit]

i think of creative ways to troll telemarketers when in the shower.

however, when they do call, i freeze up and just hang up.

 

[Red Squirrel]

These guys are fun. I try to mess with them for as long as they can endure. They usually give up before I do. but sometimes I have no time so I tell them to call later.

They stopped calling after I told them that I hacked their network through a teamviewer exploit though. I probably blew it. Was hoping they'd call back because I got teamviewer to work in Linux. Not any Linux, but Ubuntu, like, the regular Ubuntu, with the completely useless Gnome3/Unity user interface. I was frustrated myself just trying to work with that garbage while getting teamviewer to work. Whoever came up with that UI is from the devil.

 

[PaulBrown]

Typical scammer. Your pc is fine. If you would have given him access, then you would have had a prob.