General Discussion

hedda_foil

(16,986 posts) Sat Aug 9, 2014, 03:53 PM Aug 2014

So I just got a call from India about "Windows operating system on your computer." [View all]

Of course I told the guy that I'd never do anything on the basis of an unsolicited phone call. I decided to see if Google could point me to any additional info about this scam, which of course it did:

I am calling you from Windows”: A tech support scammer dials Ars ...
arstechnica.com/.../i-am-calling-you-from-windows-a-tech-support-scamme...
Oct 4, 2012 - Cold caller from "Windows Technical Support" asks for remote access to my PC. ... My phone showed only "Private Caller" and, when I answered out of curiosity, I was ... This scam itself is a few years old now, but I had not personally .... Microsoft never provides support for the Windows operating system and ...

If you get a call about your computer, it's a scam. - Daily Kos
www.dailykos.com/.../-If-you-get-a-call-about-your-computer-it-s-a-scam
Feb 20, 2014 - DO NOT BE FOOLED. If you ever get a phone call from Dell, Microsoft, Apple, HP, or "Windows Operating System," it's a scam. If you have time, ...

What happens if you play along with a Microsoft 'tech support' scam ...
www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-04/11/malwarebytes
by Olivia Solon - Apr 11, 2013 - For the uninitiated, the scam involves people in Indian call centres ringing up ...

www.computerworld.com › Security › Cybercrime and Hacking
by Gregg Keizer - Nov 20, 2013 - A year after an FTC crackdown, scammers persist in trying to dupe PC ... "I received six phone calls about this Windows support scam," said ...

60 replies

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Highlight:

So I just got a call from India about "Windows operating system on your computer." [View all] hedda_foil Aug 2014 OP

Well, that's your problem right there. You've got Windows on your computer ;) nt Erich Bloodaxe BSN Aug 2014 #1

At least windows don't rot like Apples whistler162 Aug 2014 #42

At least with Windows 7 the Blue Screen of Death is gone... awoke_in_2003 Aug 2014 #47

Yep, that's the root cause of the problem, right there! n/t RKP5637 Aug 2014 #53

"Microsoft never provides support for the Windows operating system" SunSeeker Aug 2014 #2

Technically that is true Paulie Aug 2014 #4

I've gotten those. Spider Jerusalem Aug 2014 #3

I've been telling them that I got tired of all the calls from Microsoft csziggy Aug 2014 #10

That's about like ordering JUST THE TACOS on Taco Tuesday and when they ask if you want a drink,... Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #23

Exactly. csziggy Aug 2014 #37

A lot of these scammers employ people who don't even know they're working for a scammer. Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2014 #41

Good job! customerserviceguy Aug 2014 #51

I've gotten a call too about my Windows system brush Aug 2014 #60

I tell them my computer is running DOS. hobbit709 Aug 2014 #5

I tell them I use Ubuntu or Free BSD. Initech Aug 2014 #31

I got a phone call once PowerToThePeople Aug 2014 #6

So, hedda_foil, how do you feel so far about posting this thread? NBachers Aug 2014 #7

I'm glad I posted it as a reminder to non-geek DUers that these calls are scams. hedda_foil Aug 2014 #11

they're probably more knowledgeable than the real tech support Skittles Aug 2014 #8

! DeSwiss Aug 2014 #21

That one seems to be going around. Generally.. Triana Aug 2014 #9

Scam. Warren DeMontague Aug 2014 #12

My 97-year-old mother got that call too. JDPriestly Aug 2014 #13

I've gotten a couple of those. I just hang up. I don't have the time or the inclination to play CTyankee Aug 2014 #14

I do the same thing. greatauntoftriplets Aug 2014 #16

That's usually my reaction, but not always. Jim Lane Aug 2014 #18

I hope you tell them that. Let them know that they have just wasted their precious time trying CTyankee Aug 2014 #19

I'm ambivalent about how nasty to be. Jim Lane Aug 2014 #43

They usually give up on me after I demand a phone number so I can call them back Hekate Aug 2014 #15

Thank you you for the PSA, hedda! Cha Aug 2014 #17

Links to the articles mentioned + my response to the guys working the scam intaglio Aug 2014 #20

Can't believe people answer the phone abelenkpe Aug 2014 #22

You beat me to it PasadenaTrudy Aug 2014 #24

You must not believe in Skype then. truebluegreen Aug 2014 #35

No I skype abelenkpe Aug 2014 #38

Because when you are calling over the internet truebluegreen Aug 2014 #45

They would be expecting your call then abelenkpe Aug 2014 #48

someone once suggested playing along with them and keeping them on the line JI7 Aug 2014 #25

If I have time, I squeal" REALLY? let me go check." elfin Aug 2014 #26

I got those , I tell them I threw my computer out.lol SummerSnow Aug 2014 #27

Give the phone to your three year old Mr.Bill Aug 2014 #28

I got a call from a nice lady this week on my cell "...on behalf of Amigo Energy and Centerpoint txwhitedove Aug 2014 #29

I'd hang up on them immediately -it's a scam. Initech Aug 2014 #30

We get one of these about every other week MurrayDelph Aug 2014 #32

I received a steady stream for awhile, then said I would report to Attorney General suffragette Aug 2014 #58

This Is a Scam Wolf Frankula Aug 2014 #33

Did I Ever Shut These Folks up Good RadicalGeek Aug 2014 #34

That one's getting really, really old. nt mr blur Aug 2014 #36

I just tell em I have a Mac household. littlewolf Aug 2014 #39

I have a problem missingfink Aug 2014 #40

Download the free version of MalwareBytes SwankyXomb Aug 2014 #46

Bookmark this website to find out who and what these calls are: freshwest Aug 2014 #44

I use this one that works pretty good airplaneman Aug 2014 #50

That's the one I used to use, but began the other. 800 is about scams, mostly. Thanks. freshwest Aug 2014 #52

I don't answer a phone call if I don't know who it is. airplaneman Aug 2014 #49

Yep, same here ... n/t RKP5637 Aug 2014 #54

I got that type of call treestar Aug 2014 #55

The classic way to deal with any junk caller - IDemo Aug 2014 #56

Although I've never been brave enough to try it Revanchist Aug 2014 #57

Immediately ask them if they want your credit card number, so they can fix it.... ChromeFoundry Aug 2014 #59