Phone Scams
Sept 24, 2014 15:06:58 GMT -5
Post by CentreHice on Sept 24, 2014 15:06:58 GMT -5
"Global Software Maintenance" called today.
Very tenacious, downright rude once I started asking questions. His pitch was that my IP address showed signs of dangerous malware/viruses on my computer….and that my Software Insurance has run out. (raise the alarm). If I don't act NOW, my computers are in danger of shutting down. (instil immediate fear).
My skepticism perked up immediately.
I gave him no information about my computer….nor clicked on any links he gave me. I took his phone numbers, name, and employee number (man, are they slick for the gullible) and told him I'd call him back.
"When?" he asked. (He thought he'd hooked someone….since when does somebody in tech support offer to be waiting around for your call?)
"Within the hour," I said, with no intention of calling him back…since I KNEW I'd find out it was a scam.
A quick Google:
If you did not go to the remote access site they wanted you to visit and allow them access to your computer you are fine
These are scams that want access to your computer so they can
a) copy all of your files, passwords, emails, contacts, online banking info, etc for future identity theft
b) install malware, keyloggers, spyware, etc then blackmail you into paying almost $1000 to remove them
If you hung up before logging on to any site, you are fine
Another:
This "Global computer maintenance" is a complete scam. It's a ploy to have you install third-party software that does who-knows-what on your machine. Apart from the obvious problems with remote access, this "security update" could include other functions that might disable your anti-virus, record internet habits, personal information or worse, keystrokes (ie, passwords).
If you receive a call from this mob:
- Take their details
- Get a "call-back" number
- Report them to consumer affairs
Don't be paranoid.Nothing will happen to your computer
He said he'd be calling me back if I didn't call him.
I want to tell him to…well, you can guess….but I simply won't answer when I see the number.
Please share all other scams here. Thanks.
Very tenacious, downright rude once I started asking questions. His pitch was that my IP address showed signs of dangerous malware/viruses on my computer….and that my Software Insurance has run out. (raise the alarm). If I don't act NOW, my computers are in danger of shutting down. (instil immediate fear).
My skepticism perked up immediately.
I gave him no information about my computer….nor clicked on any links he gave me. I took his phone numbers, name, and employee number (man, are they slick for the gullible) and told him I'd call him back.
"When?" he asked. (He thought he'd hooked someone….since when does somebody in tech support offer to be waiting around for your call?)
"Within the hour," I said, with no intention of calling him back…since I KNEW I'd find out it was a scam.
A quick Google:
If you did not go to the remote access site they wanted you to visit and allow them access to your computer you are fine
These are scams that want access to your computer so they can
a) copy all of your files, passwords, emails, contacts, online banking info, etc for future identity theft
b) install malware, keyloggers, spyware, etc then blackmail you into paying almost $1000 to remove them
If you hung up before logging on to any site, you are fine
Another:
This "Global computer maintenance" is a complete scam. It's a ploy to have you install third-party software that does who-knows-what on your machine. Apart from the obvious problems with remote access, this "security update" could include other functions that might disable your anti-virus, record internet habits, personal information or worse, keystrokes (ie, passwords).
If you receive a call from this mob:
- Take their details
- Get a "call-back" number
- Report them to consumer affairs
Don't be paranoid.Nothing will happen to your computer
He said he'd be calling me back if I didn't call him.
I want to tell him to…well, you can guess….but I simply won't answer when I see the number.
Please share all other scams here. Thanks.