Scam warning! Fake IT support telephone calls

[wmrcomputers]

Many of you may already be aware of this scam, but please still forward this email on to everyone you know!

The scam starts with a phone call being received from somebody claiming to work for your Internet Service Provider. They inform you that your computer is badly virused and affecting their network. They must remove it in order to prevent further problems for them and yourself.
They then tell you to follow a few instructions on your PC which gives them access to your system (and everything on it!). They will then bring you to a page requesting that you enter your debit or credit card information to validate your identity. At this point your bank account could become emptied!

NOTE - The only person who would know that your computer has virus problems is YOU or anyone using it. It is unlikely that your ISP would know or even care, and even more unlikely they would contact you about it.
USE COMMON SENSE. If you think the call might be genuine, ask for a reference number and tell them that YOU will call them back on a number that you personally know is for your ISP and not one they give to you during the phone call. Most importantly NEVER give out personally identifiable or bank information via the phone or any web page you are directed to.

If you receive such a phone call, tell them to hold the line while you "boot up your computer". Then place the phone on the side quietly and go and make yourself a well earned cup of coffee! Let them waste their time AND the cost of a phone call, plus it's time they can't be scamming someone else. Then the scam is on us

Take care

 

[tek-monkey]

I always ask for personal information from any caller that says they are calling from a company. This has lead to many a call being terminated without getting to the point, but thats not my problem. Usually they'll say they can't tell you anything because of the data protection act, but if they won't prove who they are why should I prove who I am? Asking for a call reference number then phoning back on a number you know is real (NOT one they just gave you!) is usually all you need to do.

One I used on Barclays was when they asked for my telephone banking password, I said I'd tell him letter 3, but then I wanted him to tell me letter 7 before I'd say the rest. He grudgingly accepted, and we were able to carry on.

 

[wmrcomputers]

One I used on Barclays was when they asked for my telephone banking password, I said I'd tell him letter 3, but then I wanted him to tell me letter 7 before I'd say the rest. He grudgingly accepted, and we were able to carry on.

Fair play mate!!

 

[Wookie]

I always ask for personal information from any caller that says they are calling from a company.

Me too. "What sort of underwear are you wearing?" is a good one, I find.

 

[tek-monkey]

Or "Have you got brown nipples?".

 

[Gadget]

Just had them try it on me again! They got no where the first time then the idiots have rung again. It's not even believable unless you are a total novice. Then again as they are still out there trying it, there must be some folk falling for it. I may have to swear at them if they try again.
G x




Admin edit: Threads merged.

 

[wmrcomputers]

This scam is getting more and more popular all of the time. I get several calls from customers every week asking for my advice.

I can't stress enough that the only person who would ever be aware that you have virus issues is you! Your ISP or MICROSOFT will NEVER contact you about this. If your online banking detects a virus on your PC it usually disables access and tells you to contact them, but that's about it.

People be on your guard, and if you get a call like this, ask them to wait while you just answer your door.... then leave the phone on the side. They're daft enough to wait 20 minutes on the line and you could save around 3 or 4 more attempts on "total novices" during that time.

 

[shoes]

menu - transfer call - 999 - send

 

[Gramaisc]

menu - transfer call - 999 - send

Probably happens randomly - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-16532704 ..

 

[shoes]

Thank you for using windings providings, how's the weather in london today sir?

 

[Ra Ra Ra]

I always ask for personal information from any caller that says they are calling from a company. This has lead to many a call being terminated without getting to the point, but thats not my problem. Usually they'll say they can't tell you anything because of the data protection act, but if they won't prove who they are why should I prove who I am? Asking for a call reference number then phoning back on a number you know is real (NOT one they just gave you!) is usually all you need to do.

One I used on Barclays was when they asked for my telephone banking password, I said I'd tell him letter 3, but then I wanted him to tell me letter 7 before I'd say the rest. He grudgingly accepted, and we were able to carry on.

Brilliant!

 

[Withnail]

I can't stress enough that the only person who would ever be aware that you have virus issues is you! Your ISP or MICROSOFT will NEVER contact you about this.

Had another of these today and for the first time (i reckon i've had a dozen or more of them) the guy on the other end didn't say he was calling from Microsoft, so i guess people have wised up on that score.

He ended up by hanging up on me as i tried to get him to explain why his call was more important than my cooking.

 

[wmrcomputers]

Nice one

 

[Darren]

Just to add to this, fake emails asking for bank information, or asking you to click a link to your bank so you can login these are also very common, i had one the other day from Barclay's claiming my account had been suspended and i had to click a link in the email then login to my account to get the suspension removed, just remember banks will never ask for any information in an email, they will also never request you to click a link in an email to login to your account, either send the email to your bank or delete it and remember, if in doubt throw it out.