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New net scam arrives... by phone
A reader has contacted us with news of a new take on a relatively old scam.
He received a call from someone to say his PC had been infected by a virus and that if he cared to boot up, the caller would kindly take him through the process of removing it.
Fortunately, the reader had his wits about him and challenged the caller for his company's details; a click and brrrrr indicated the caller wasn't keen on that idea.
Many PC users are familiar with pop-ups that claim to scan your computer and then cleanse it of the many threats it finds. None of which exist of course but as long as you're willing to pay, why ruin a good scam with facts.
Taking this approach by phone is a new one on us.
It's becoming beyond a joke what people are willing to do. to earn money. Surely this has to be an invasion of privacy? Also how are they geting the numbers? Probably the phone book
posted-by Erin Richie | March 23, 2009 4:52 AM
Well I had been scammed on phone too. Someone has sent a message for me regarding the winner of a certain raffle. And I need to tell him anything about myself. I knew it is a scam..that's why I told him outright, I will report you to the police. Lol. Then he click and stop talking.
Just beware.
posted-by Brain Support | March 24, 2009 5:02 PM
that sounds like a lame and weak scam.
who would believe that?
Firstly, I would be suspicious that a stranger knows more about my desktop than me. I would wonder if he's a stalker or wat.
posted-by build my self confidence | March 31, 2009 1:06 PM
I had experienced scam on phone too.I made him a call as he told me to do so to get more information how to claim the price...hahaahaa
posted-by carl king | April 1, 2009 1:11 AM
I had a similar problem solving phone call a couple of months ago but "smelled a rat" when the caller became too inquisitive and then wanted me to boot up the computer so that he could give instructions on solving the so called problem.I just hung up!!
Last week I had a call from a person supposedly from the Department of Justice claiming that he could help to to retrieve extortionate bank charges.I explained that I had not been charged since I don't overdraw on my account but he refused to accept this and wanted details of my account so that he could check for himself!!Needless to say,he was out of luck on that score.
posted-by Mr T Wood | April 9, 2009 4:45 PM
I also received a call yesterday(14/4) from someone to say that my PC had been infected by a virus and that if I cared to boot up, the caller would kindly take me through the process of removing it. Had difficulty understanding the chap, thought at first it was a call centre in India. I just hung up on him
posted-by David Fisher | April 15, 2009 11:00 PM
I had one of these yesterday - any idea how they get your phone number?
I tried to get some info. and he guy said he was phone 'global....' something but as he had such an accent could not understand him.....
I eventually hung up without switching my PC on....which is what he was trying to pursuade me to do
posted-by NIKKI | May 5, 2009 9:36 AM
I got a phone call today from a group trying to tell me I had malicious files on my computer and that my computer was running slow - they said they were from Windows Service Centre - Itec Help and that my windows computer was crook. I laughed at them and ended up speaking to a senior personnel and told them my computer doesn't even run on windows. He wanted to end the conversation really quickly after that. please check this link out. It is basically what they say and ask.
http://www.computerhq.co.uk/content/warning-fake-tech-support-call-scam-windows-xp-service-provider
posted-by tdewell | February 11, 2010 3:43 AM