Virus Phone Scam

[#1]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/18/phone-scam-india-call-centres
Just had a call - if it hadn't been in the final GP qualifying session I would have had some fun but I just told him to [Censored] off

[#2]

Quote

"I'm calling for Microsoft. We've had a report from your internet service provider of serious virus problems from your computer."

I know what I would have told them, and "shove it" would have been in there somewhere 

[#3]

Thanks for the heads up oldjim, [-Censored-], The qualifier was good though, Should be a good race tomorrow!!

Moderator's note by Mike (Mav) Swear word and potential racist remark edited as per Forum rules

[#4]

I had a call from these people about 10 days ago.  I'd already read about the scam so I played around with the guy until he got fed up and suddenly the line went dead

[#5]

I played around for ages telling him I couldn't find my start button, which is true using a Mac.
The one I had tried to get me to install teamviewer which in some ways is a bit more worrying.

[#6]

We've had discussions about this before – I've found this thread and I think there's another one hanging around somewhere too.

[#7]

Yep, happened to me!  Next time it does (if it does) I'm going to boot into Ubuntu and let them play with that for a while, last time I played along for a while until he asked me to go to logmein then I told him to get a real job.

[#8]

Sorry to be a bit dim but where do they get your telephone number from and how do they know you have a computer?
Just asking because my number is ex-directory and am signed up to that preference thingy.
I wouldn't have the patience to give them the time of day but in any case I never answer if caller display indicates an international call.

[#9]

Guess they get your phone number from lists like most of the telemarketing companies.  They possibly don't know if you have a computer but simply assume you do.

[#10]

Also the telephone preference service does not cover international calls.

[#11]

I don't answer calls from "International" or "Withheld" calls, I let the answerphone handle them; they never leave a message.  If people don't want to let me know who they are, they must have something to hide, and I don't want to talk to them.  I get lots of calls from "0000" whatever they are, anyone know?

[#12]

That's my position also. Answer phones are a blessing for that purpose.

[#13]

looking forward to one of these blighters calling me.  i'll have a lot of fun playing "ain't it awful" while i string him along before asking 'how is this possible on linux?'

[#14]

It's funny how some people are still uneasy leaving a message on an answer machine.

[#15]

i know someone who's answerfone message is  "im all tied up at the moment .but im willing, try again soon"