Bogus phone calls from "Microsoft"

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Jim Logajan

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We've been getting annoying phone calls from people (with heavy accents) claiming to be from Microsoft and claiming there is a problem with the computers at our residence. These are people intending to infect or otherwise take advantage of people's computers (I've never played along long enough to determine their M.O.) I can see how some people could be taken in by their scam. Consider this a word to the wise to anyone who gets unsolicited calls from "Microsoft" or any other alleged firm that tries to alert you that there is something wrong with your computer that needs remote fixing.

I tried outright insults to make them go away - no luck so far. Every week or so we get a call or two. A moment ago I told one of them "There are no computers here." "Oh sorry sir, I must have the wrong number." (I count 10 computers in my office. That's close to zero, eh?)

Since our phone number is now on some computer scummer's list I expect we'll get more calls in the future anyway. Sigh. The only redeeming factor is that unlike the bogus credit card robocalls, there is an actual person I can abuse.
 
Jim Logajan said:
We've been getting annoying phone calls from people (with heavy accents) claiming to be from Microsoft and claiming there is a problem with the computers at our residence. These are people intending to infect or otherwise take advantage of people's computers (I've never played along long enough to determine their M.O.) I can see how some people could be taken in by their scam. Consider this a word to the wise to anyone who gets unsolicited calls from "Microsoft" or any other alleged firm that tries to alert you that there is something wrong with your computer that needs remote fixing.

I tried outright insults to make them go away - no luck so far. Every week or so we get a call or two. A moment ago I told one of them "There are no computers here." "Oh sorry sir, I must have the wrong number." (I count 10 computers in my office. That's close to zero, eh?)

Since our phone number is now on some computer scummer's list I expect we'll get more calls in the future anyway. Sigh. The only redeeming factor is that unlike the bogus credit card robocalls, there is an actual person I can abuse.
Click to expand...

Note the number, (if you have the technology) and when the next call comes in answer: "Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cyber Crimes Unit, how can I help you??"
 
ScottM said:
Why do you even answer the phone when it is a number that you don't recognize?
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I don't. Kept getting telemarketing calls. Now if I don't recognize the number I just don't answer. Too many scammers seeking information.
 
ScottM said:
Why do you even answer the phone when it is a number that you dont recognize?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately to accept business related calls. While it is rare, I have had to handle impromptu support calls to our home phone at the oddest hours. This comes with selling a software product costing $25k. Customers expect a bit of decent support for that kind of money.
 
"I will not deal with you unless you give me your phone number and then I will call you back."

-Skip
 
I have answered known unwanted calls claming to be the king of the damned before, but playing gay and hitting on the telemarketer makes them squirm faster.
 
That's an obvious fake.
Everyone knows you can't actually get to a live person at Microsoft.
 
A couple weeks ago I got an interesting call from a company hired by our gas company to offer us a special discount that only a few people qualified for, except he needed to verify our account number...cept' he already had our name, address, phone number...sounds like you already have everything you need buddy....you called me, remember because we were specially identified as qualifying for the program.

....and you didn't just look us up in the book, yeah,, um hummmm
 
I got one of those calls, I responded with "I don't own a computer." They sounded confused.
 
We've had many, many, clients get these calls. It's actually a real company with very questionable marketing practices. They speed through the introductory part of the conversation, such that most just remember that "someone from Microsoft called and said there was something wrong with my computer". Then, they gain permission to put on a remote access program. After the program is in place, they do some checking and, imagine this, they find stuff wrong. At this point, they ask for $$$$ to fix it and get on a maintenance schedule. It's usually $179-379, depending.
 
Consider Tom Mabe's solution...

 
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