Microsoft scam

[ala1940]

Beware of phone calls from supposedly Microsoft about something being wrong with your PC. They try to get you to enter a series of codes but really they want you to buy their software. Microsoft say its a scam targeting the UK and they can get quite abusive.

[neil2726]

Yes, a friend of mine recently had a call from these people. When he refused to pay them they told him that if he didnt co-operate they would "f... up his laptop and he would have to buy a new one" he didnt play ball and his PC is still working ok - nice people!

[Martin Page]

I had a call recently, which could have been related to this. I gave them short shrift and hung up...

Martin.

[roninnes]

I have 2 or 3 calls from these people from an Indian call centre, evidently in Calcutta, and they do not take no for an answer.
Even if you subscribe to Telephone preference service it only works with UK based call centres
It is a pure scam and you should simply hang up on them.

Ron

[Didier]

As far as I know, we don't have these scams in France, may be it's because these people from India don't speak French !

Didier

[Tone]

I've been getting several of these calls a week for some time. They come in different guises but "Windows Support Centre" seems to be the most common. Fortunately I never fell for their line and when I answer the phone and hear a voice with an Indian accent who usually mispronounces my name I know what's coming. Depending on my mood at the time I either hang up, tell them to p*** off or string them along.

If you Google "Windows Support scam" you'll get loads of hits and some of the sites which give recordings of phone calls in which customers string the scammers along are very funny.

Cheers.

Tony

[John Haldane]

Had the same call last week, wife answered the call, and She told them that she did not use a computer ,which is very true, and they where very adament she must have done as threre servers had identified a problem with her pc,so after a long period of NO's from her,she told them what to do with there servers,end of call.
John H

[noelford]

As far as I know, we don't have these scams in France, may be it's because these people from India don't speak French !

Didier

Thanks Didier, that's given me a great idea for dealing with telesales people. When my phone displays WITHHELD, I'll just say, "Allo?" and if it sounds like a call-centre agent, I'll say, "Est-ce-que je pouvais vous aider, s'il vous plait?!"

[jimuc]

As far as I know, we don't have these scams in France, may be it's because these people from India don't speak French !

Didier

They struggle to speak English, but that doesn't deter the b*ggers

[Martyn]

I've found two effective ways of confusing these beggars:

1. When asked whether I've experienced problems with my Windows machine slowing down I tell them I have a Mac - they appear not to have an answer to that.

2. On another occasion and in a moment of inspiration, when another company told me my computer security was at risk I advised them that our police computer was fine - this resulted in coughing and spluttering at the other end before they cut the connection . . . I hasten to add I do know a policeman, who's my neighbour, but that's all.