Calls from microsoft

Hi ecobill
 
Welcome to the Community Forums.
 

 
We periodically get reports of these from members and in all cases THEY ARE A SCAM!!  Neither Microsoft nor any other company sends emails, pop ups, or phone calls of any kind advising that you may have a problem.
 
If you would like more information, read on.
 
NEWS ARTICLE: Tech Support Scams are on the rise.
 
Microsoft never issues this type of warning or email or anything of a sort!  Please see the following link for Microsoft's official word on this:http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/avoid-phone-scams.aspx
 
"Neither Microsoft nor our partners make unsolicited phone calls (also known as cold calls) to charge you for computer security or software fixes.
 
Cybercriminals often use publicly available phone directories so they might know your name and other personal information when they call you. They might even guess what operating system you're using.
 
Once they've gained your trust, they might ask for your user name and password or ask you to go to a website to install software that will let them access your computer to fix it. Once you do this, your computer and your personal information is vulnerable."
 
Also see Avoid scams that use the Microsoft name fraudulently
http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/msname.aspx 
 
 
For more information here's what the United States Federal Trade Commission has to say on the subject::
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0346-tech-support-scams
 
"In a recent twist, scam artists are using the phone to try to break into your computer. They call, claiming to be computer techs associated with well-known companies like Microsoft. They say that they've detected viruses or other malware on your computer to trick you into giving them remote access or paying for software you don't need.
 
These scammers take advantage of your reasonable concerns about viruses and other threats. They know that computer users have heard time and again that it's important to install security software. But the purpose behind their elaborate scheme isn't to protect your computer; it's to make money."
 
This scam is common and has been around for quite a while.  Here is a good Webroot Blog article from April 2013 by Threat Researcher Roy Tobin.
 
http://www.webroot.com/blog/2013/04/30/fake-microsoft-security-scam/
 
Also, as a means of seeing if you can prevent the intrusion you can try adding a good free Ad Blocker like the ones suggested below:
 
For Internet Explorer Ad Block Plus: https://adblockplus.org/
 
For Firefox uBlock Origin: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ublock-origin/?src=ss or Privacy Badger: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/privacy-badger-firefox/

 
Google Chrome uBlock Origin: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ublock-origin/cjpalhdlnbpafiamejdnhcphjbkeiagm?hl=en or Privacy Badger: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/privacy-badger/pkehgijcmpdhfbdbbnkijodmdjhbjlgp
 
Hope that helps?
 
Regards, Baldrick
 

Hi, @
 
Welcome to the Webroot Community.....
 
Yes I have received a phone call from Microsoft and I did the same thing that you did; HANG UP!  You did the right thing.  Please see Jasper's article regarding phone scammers below

 
https://community.webroot.com/t5/Security-Industry-News/Some-Tips-For-Dealing-With-Phone-Scammers/m-p/241226#M23016
 
As a new member I would like you to, at your leisure, view the Getting Started Guide below.  You will find this guide to be very informative.
 
https://community.webroot.com/t5/Introduce-yourself-to-the/Getting-Started-Guide/ta-p/186161
 
 
 
I hope this helps?