Just had a phone call telling me I had a problem with my computer, they did not identify themselves.
When I asked how they knew I had a computer, she said all computers are linked to a satellite, then I said I had a degree in IT and hadn't heard that, and was just about to tell her she was a crook, CLICK and bleep. 1471 told me number not available. I wonder how many fall for the scam?

_________________
I started out with nothing, I still have most of it.

Directmail scam information site: http://astrocat.proboards.com/index.cgi?

You should honored mooncat, there are billions of computers with problems, and they choose you for personal treatment.

_________________
If you feel you have benefited from the Free advice given on the Forum, Please consider making a donation to UHM's Nominated charity, read all about it and donate here :

donnas-dream-house-charity-t52110.html

So sad, but true!!

_________________
I started out with nothing, I still have most of it.

Directmail scam information site: http://astrocat.proboards.com/index.cgi?

MC,
This has been going on for a couple of years now and so long that even Trading Standards are warning people about it. But they cannot do much as the perpetrators are abroad. They can leach all the info off your computer if you download their bit of software "to help clean your computer of virus and trojans".

I was in Montreal when my niece got the same call, (so the baskets are doing it internationally) and I took it from her, pretended to do what they said but kept acting the novice and saying I couldn't get what they wanted the computer to do. I wasn't even on line with her or my laptop but kept them strung out for 30 minutes then hit them with the fact that "does all this you are trying actually work on a MAC?" They hung up straight after.

dave

_________________
You can always tell a Yorkshireman,
But you cannot tell him much.

Bridget had a call form one of these the other day.

She said really, I don't even know how to turn a computer on (or me these days )

They were going to call back when I was there but haven't as yet.

_________________
Dave

www.drlgas.co.uk

somebody phoned me up saying they where from msn
"heelloo sir i am from msn we have had a report that you have a bug on your computer"

hang on a minuet --------




-------yep swated it off thanks


brrrrrrrrrrrr

_________________
we are all ------------------still learning

_________________
Dave

www.drlgas.co.uk

Elderly people and those who aren't very technically savvy will fall victim to these scams. Very worrying indeed.

Best thing to do is string them along for ages and then say something like "Oh it's a mac by the way"

They tried it again today, I couldn't be bothered to string them along, so I said I had a resident computer technician who keeps me on the straight and narrow, and put it down on them.

_________________
I started out with nothing, I still have most of it.

Directmail scam information site: http://astrocat.proboards.com/index.cgi?

If you have enough presence of mind at the time and some spare time on your hands, try to keep em talking for as long as possible...ask them loads of questions as if your are interest and mention you own a company with 30 odd pc's all networked together..

Tell them you are willing to pay more money if they can sort out the problem for you..

Keep it going for as long as possible...then finish off with a volley of verbal abuse!

_________________
I hate being bi-polar...its Brilliant!!!!

I th

:) .That unfortunately does not work. The 'consultants' are probably aware they are calling on behalf of crooks.They are trained and used to those situations, so they know how to handle refusals and verbal abuse.You have very little chance to upset them.

I was thinking about this the other day. Making people aware of this sort of stuff is great, it's just when someone with a genuine reason to call phones they don't belive you!

I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and got landed a job where I had to phone people and tell them they had won a technology prize package. I think it was 10k's worth of stuff in total, plus they got cash too!!!!!!!

To give you an idea, it was top of the range: laptop, desktop, monitor, TV, xbox, ps3, games, cameras, video recorders, flying things, wall mounts, services to setup/wall mount, etc

Out of the 10 people, I was met with rudeness, disbelief, distrust and in one case anger!!! I think the best call I had to make was with an elderly couple. It went:

"oh, won have I? How much do I need to pay to get these 'prizes" with a tone to her voice
"Nothing, it's a competition you entered - completely free!!"
"Is this so you can get my address and charge me when it arrives then?" I know these scams"
"No, it's a genuinely free package - you entered XXXXX and are one of the 10 prize winners"
"I didn't enter it"
"Hmm, can I call you back in 15 minutes?"
"Sure, I'll bet you will".

Click. Went off to the TV station contact, got them to dig the mail in sheet out and email me a scan. then I called back:

"Hello, it's BillyGoat here again"
"Oh, I'm surprised you called back....."
"Right....I've spoken to the TV station and I've got your mail in sheet. You need to speak to your husband!"
"errrr.......GEORGE, come and listen to this......you are on speaker phone"
"George....does this sound familar....."

I read out his answers, including his spelling mistakes and things he'd put on

"I'VE WON ALL THAT" SCREAMS DOWN THE PHONE!!!!!

I lauged.....they got A* service because I thought they were so sweet. Apparently she'd be done in the past and was very distrusting as a result.

Lovely ending, very happy people.

Lol

BG

hehe, I signed up to an online poker site and someone called me up to make sure i was over 18 asked me my "security questions" I told them I am not telling you anything until you can prove to me where you are calling from... obviously call centre staff, she went away from the phone for a few minutes and I could hear her talking to someone in a different language, she came back and said "I am fine thanks hope you are well, bye" and hung up.

how odd!

_________________
- Dave
http://www.pamperhouse.net
http://www.invertedcircle.co.uk

I had a bloke a while back ring me from some Asian call centre..I knew this cos the caaler display showed 'international'..and his accent sort of give it away..

The conversation went something like...

"Hello my name is Kevin..how today are you?"

"No its not"

"No its not what?"

"You name aint Kevin"

"Yes it is and im calling from City of Manchester"

"No it isnt and no your not"

"Not what?"

"Your not calling from Manchester"

"Yes I am and I am a catholic"

"No it isnt, no your not and no your not"

"What?"

"Stop telling lies Kevin..what do you want''

"I am not telling you lies''

"Kevin?"

"Yes"

"F*** off"

"Ok, tank you for your time today, goodbye"

_________________
I hate being bi-polar...its Brilliant!!!!

Tanks? If he'd have said LIVERPOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL it would have been real!!!

Tanks a lot dere boy! ey ey.....'ows about yeeee caaaaaaaaaaaaaalm daaaaaaaaaaaaaaarn?!