Scammers agggh

[HLaB]

I went out for a wee ride this evening and just about when I'm home I get a worried phonecall from my mother; I was in traffic so I couldn't answer it but I phoned her back, she panicked something about her computer and a bloke said he'd phone back about 8pm (when I'm in) as she couldn't understand him and could I be back for then. I was actually going to be back in 3 minutes I was only about a mile away and told her I'd see then. Got in and found out 'Windows' (or somebody claiming that) had called her unsolicited about an issue with her pc; scammers aggggh

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Yeah - anything unsolicited gets the "sod off" treatment.

 

[Maz]

Sounds strange. What were they after exactly?

 

[woohoo]

There has been a reported spate of unsolicited calls offering to help/support Windows PCs. The people give the impression (but are careful not to say that) they represent Microsoft. I don't know where the money sting comes in. The calls show up as "International" if you've got Caller ID.

 

[fossyant]

I cab confirm its a current scan.....been on bbc website. ..... east for old folk to get caught

 

[Spinney]

I cab confirm its a current scan.....been on bbc website. ..... east for old folk to get caught

Sounds like this one:
https://www.cyclechat.net/

 

[HLaB]

surprise, surprise, not they never phoned back!

 

[Spinney]

surprise, surprise, not they never phoned back!

They might though. I got another similar call a few weeks after wasting the time of the first one (I suppose it may have been a different company, but the script sounded similar). Couldn't be arsed to waste their time again, so just told them to sod off. Just make sure your mum knows to put the phone down on them.

 

[Norm]

Sounds strange. What were they after exactly?

They usually convince the unsuspecting PC user that their computer has an infection which requires them to download a file, for a fee.

If you are lucky, the file which is downloaded does nothing more than pops up a message saying that your computer has been cleaned.

If you are unlucky, you've just installed a keylogger or become part of a botnet.

 

[Maz]

They usually convince the unsuspecting PC user that their computer has an infection which requires them to download a file, for a fee.

If you are lucky, the file which is downloaded does nothing more than pops up a message saying that your computer has been cleaned.

If you are unlucky, you've just installed a keylogger or become part of a botnet.

Thanks, Norm. I'd never heard of that one.

 

[longers]

I had a similar cold call a bit back. I politely told them where to get off.

 

[Globalti]

The problem is that old folk like my mother aged 80 struggle to understand their computers, if they've got one and they are too polite to put the phone down or terminate the conversation.