Hello Parkdocq

 

Welcome to the Webroot Community,

 

 

 

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.

 

If you clicked on any links, allowed them to remote into your computer, or went to any websites please Submit a Support 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 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 add 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

 

Thanks,

 

 

________________________

 

 

 

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As said, its a scam. Just to add, if you Google a phone number PRIOR to calling it, you may get some hits on the whos/whats/whys of the phone number. In the case of your particular 800 number, Google clearly gives some information on the number. Its a scam.

 

On a side note, I got this message about a year ago and just for fun ( I knew it was a scam ) I called it and had some of the best belly laughs Ive had in years. Told the guy I had 35 computers and could he fix all of them if I gave them my passwords and my credit card numbers. Even from here in the States I could clearly see the dollar signs in his eyeballs.

He ended hanging up because he was sooooooo confused.

 

I got a call back a day later and answered saying.... " FBI Computer Fraud Division, Special Agent Jethro Gibbs speaking ".

They immediately hung up.

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@ wrote:



 

I got a call back a day later and answered saying.... " FBI Computer Fraud Division, Special Agent Jethro Gibbs speaking ".

They immediately hung up.

 

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Best and funniest tactic I have seen yet there Robert.  Sounds effective too.:D:D Seems as if everyone on the planet knows Agent Gibbs  LOL>>>

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It may have been the  " Special "  Agent Jethro Gibbs that scared them off.

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