Phone call scam re computer virus

[ilandrah]

Hi guys,
Thought I would let everyone know that there is a scam that involves a 'technician from Microsoft' calling people and reporting virus activity.
This has occured worldwide and some users may already be aware, but I certainly wasn't when I receive such a call this morning.
Luckily I have enough technical knowledge about computers and reporting systems that I didn't fall prey to the scam.
The Indian man on the phone will attempt to convince you that your computer has been sending reports to Microsoft and that he will walk you through removing the corrupt files and viruses on your computer. This involves providing remote access or downloading malware that will give access to your personal data.
Reports have also stated that they may ask for credit card details to cover the fee for the software and assistance in removing the infections.
Obviously the claims are completely false, Microsoft and other companies will not contact their users in this manner, it is an attempt to gather your banking details and control of your computer.
Not a very sophisticated phishing attempt but many people around the world have apparently been taken in, so please be ware.

[bobbi]

LMAO
hey'll try anything. WOnder how many people will fall for something like that? Hopefully not too many.

[a non-amos]

It sounds like this scam relies on the end user not having two vital pieces of information.

Microsoft has no technicians interested in solving your problem.

If they did want to solve your problem, they would not have the expertise.

[pat]

Oooh! Vitriolic or what!

You're obviously a big Microsoft fan, A!

[Alonzo Quixote]

I didn't receive any phone call as described by ilandrah.

But I did receive a phone call from a man representing himself as being from  "Microsoft Associates".  I have no way of knowing whether this is an actual part of the Microsoft Corporation.

I'm not really sure why he called.  

I told him I was not having any problems with my computer.  Then he asked what kinds of things I do with my computer—I thought this was a somewhat strange question.

He gave me a telephone number to call in case I had problems— 1-877-849-2135.

I'm not really sure I would call this number if I had a need to resolve a problem.

He did not ask any questions which would represent "phishing".

Odd things happen in cyberspace.

[a non-amos]

I use Microsoft products because I have no choice.  They require it at work, and I am condemned to working around their bugs.

In previous lives I have done a fair bit of systems programming and I do know what goes into the writing of an operating system.  They do not do it well.

Alonzo, this is extremely suspicious.  I would rather have root canal instead of calling that number or contacting them in any way.

In case I have offended some Microsoft fans, here are a few words of explanation:

My first statement is accurate.  Technicians are the people for whom you wait for hours on end if you need to call tech support.  They have a script they vomit upon you, and beyond that they are not much good.

In order to actually fix the problems in Microsoft products, the technicians would need the ability to write code.  This is clearly unreasonable, and will not happen.

- A