Hello allyb,

 

Welcome to the Community Forum,

 

THIS IS 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.

 

You did do the right thing which was to hangup without giving any information.

 

If you clicked anything links, allowed them to remote into your computer, or went to any web sites please submit a Trouble Ticket ASAP.  (Now would be a good idea....)

 

If you would like more information, read on (After submitting that Trouble Ticket.....)

 

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 Microsofts 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 iwhat 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/

 

 

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Hi Ssherjj,

 

Thank you for your answer and advice......

 

He did not know my name or address.......well he never used it...... He had me right click on   'Computer' on the desk top....then 'management'.....then 'Computer management local'  he then wanted me to click on 'Event Viewer' and at this point that I told him I had to termiate the call....

 

This was off line..... but my internet was on as I had been working on it......  can I ask........ am I safe or do I need to submit a trouble ticket....

 

Thank you once again for your help

 

Kindlyz

allyb

 

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Hello allbyb,

 

To be honest I would Contact Support for peace of mind and Support is free with an active subscription.

 

If it was me I'd be worried as to how he got my phone number unless it was a random call.

 

 Let me ping @ do you have anything to add here?

 

 

Regards,

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I think that as long as you did not change any settings, visit ANY web sites he requested, you should be OK without the need of a trouble ticket.

 

 If you made any changes or visited any websites suggested by him, then you may want to have Support take a look.

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Thank you Sherry and David,

 

I didn't change anything.....and he never mentioned websites.....though I have a feeling he may have if  I'd stayed on the phone.  I spoke with someone in India from Dell last week re a problem with my laptop and at first I thought it was about that...

 

I am so appreciative of this community....

 

Kindest regards

Alison

 

 

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Hello allyb,

 

 

You are certainly welcome and that's what we are here for becasuse we enjoy helping and learning from eachother.

 

So don't be a stranger and get to know us all here for there are alot of great knowledgable forum members here.

 

No question is a silly question!!

 

Have a nice day! Again kudos for not falling for that scam!:D

 

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An obvious scam. Don't let the guy get access to your computer. He's after your personal info or probably get you to disclose credit card info as payment for the service. And don't forget to report the phone scam to the FTC to have the sammer investigated and penalized.

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And most importantly, share the details of the phone scam at Callercenter.com to warn others about the scheme. You never know when your post might save someone from falling victim to it.

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This is an obvious scam. Don't let the guy get access to your computer. He's after your personal info or probably get you to disclose credit card info as payment for the service. And don't forget to report the phone scam to the FTC to have the sammer investigated and penalized.

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