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Please read: Don’t fall for phony phone tech support

Applies To:

http://blogs.msdn.com/securitytipstalk/archive/2010/03/09/don-t-fall-for-phony-phone-tech-support.aspx

Here’s another form of Internet fraud that combines a variety of other common scams—social engineering, fake security software, and phishing.

Cybercriminals have started calling people on the telephone, claiming to be from Microsoft, and offering to help solve their computer problems. Once cybercriminals have gained a victim’s trust, they can do one or more of the following:
- Trick people into installing malicious software on their computer.
- Take control of a victim’s computer remotely and adjust settings in order to leave the computer vulnerable.
- Request credit card information so that cybercriminals can bill for the phony services.

Microsoft will not make unsolicited phone calls to help you with your computer. If you receive a phone call like this, hang up.

Vincenzo Di Russo
Microsoft® MVP Windows Internet Explorer, Windows Desktop Experience & Security - Since 2003.
Moderator in the Microsoft Answers Forums Italy
My MVP Profile: https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Vincenzo
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this question

Vincenzo Di Russo

Community Moderator
Vincenzo Di Russo MVP
Community Star
Vincenzo Di Russo - Microsoft® MVP Windows Internet Explorer, Windows & Security Expert ~ since 2003

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28

Votes

Answer

Hi Vincenzo:


Thanks for this useful information. I recommend that users
try to contact FBI in their community, and inform them about
such fraud (If they live in U.S.).

This post shall be a “Sticky note”.

I hope you find this information useful and if you need any further assistance,
please feel free to contact me and let me know.

I hope this information was helpful…

Have a nice day…

Best regards,
Fisnik

Itknowledge24.com
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ITknowledge24

ITknowledge24
Geek
Microsoft MVP
Consumer Security
Microsoft Community Contributor

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10

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Variation:  Cybercriminals will telephone and claim that they are calling at the request of the potential victim's ISP because the ISP has identified their computer as being infected with malware. 
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NonSuch

NonSuch MVP
http://www.malwareremoval.com/university.php

Was this helpful?

28

Votes

Answer

Hi Vincenzo:


Thanks for this useful information. I recommend that users
try to contact FBI in their community, and inform them about
such fraud (If they live in U.S.).

This post shall be a “Sticky note”.

I hope you find this information useful and if you need any further assistance,
please feel free to contact me and let me know.

I hope this information was helpful…

Have a nice day…

Best regards,
Fisnik

Itknowledge24.com
    • Child exploitation or abuse
    • Harassment or threats
    • Inappropriate/Adult content
    • Nudity
    • Profanity
    • Software piracy
    • SPAM/Advertising
    • Virus/Spyware/Malware danger
    • Other Term of Use or Code of Conduct violation

ITknowledge24

ITknowledge24
Geek
Microsoft MVP
Consumer Security
Microsoft Community Contributor

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4

Votes

> Hi Vincenzo:
> Thanks for this useful information.

YW, Fisnik.

Vincenzo Di Russo
Microsoft® MVP Windows Internet Explorer, Windows Desktop Experience & Security - Since 2003.
Moderator in the Microsoft Answers Forums Italy
My MVP Profile: https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Vincenzo
    • Child exploitation or abuse
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    • Inappropriate/Adult content
    • Nudity
    • Profanity
    • Software piracy
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    • Other Term of Use or Code of Conduct violation

Vincenzo Di Russo

Community Moderator
Vincenzo Di Russo MVP
Community Star
Vincenzo Di Russo - Microsoft® MVP Windows Internet Explorer, Windows & Security Expert ~ since 2003

Was this helpful?

10

Votes

Answer

Variation:  Cybercriminals will telephone and claim that they are calling at the request of the potential victim's ISP because the ISP has identified their computer as being infected with malware. 
    • Child exploitation or abuse
    • Harassment or threats
    • Inappropriate/Adult content
    • Nudity
    • Profanity
    • Software piracy
    • SPAM/Advertising
    • Virus/Spyware/Malware danger
    • Other Term of Use or Code of Conduct violation

NonSuch

NonSuch MVP
http://www.malwareremoval.com/university.php

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8

Votes

They phoned telling me they are from Microsoft, they had my telephone number and my name. She was Indian and hung up when I asked questions. She claimed that my computer was sending error messages to Microsoft and that they have got my number and name by tracing my IP address.

This made me suspicious and I asked questions... I must have asked too many because she hung up. Thankfully I know that NO oen will phone you about your computer or broken computer bcause they make more money by you phoning THEM 
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lissyM

lissyM

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4

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Yes i have had many calls regarding these "Windows operating system errors" from "windows" or "Alert stop".
I am becoming quite annoyed by the fact they persist on ringing my land line almost every day.
They also claim they call from Sydney, Australia ( i live in Western Australia ), but this gives them away immediately when the phone clearly states "Private Number - Overseas"
I am certain this is not a genuine call because i have no problems with my computer's hardware or software what so ever and as i begin to question the caller as i grow increasingly suspicious to their real intentions they hang up.
For now all i can do to solve this problem is to "tell them where to go", and hopefully you'll get some entertainment out of that.
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clinton L

clinton L

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1

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I have got a couple of these calls already. Twice I played with them and had them swearing at me (it was quite fun). The last time I told them I only have linux computers. They then said asked if my phone number was what they dialed and I said no and they said that they misdialed. Of course you did ;)

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MartinCarnegie

MartinCarnegie

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I do the same thing. I have been getting these calls almost weekly for the last few months I always just harass them till they hang up, and one time I said I only had linux and they hung up.
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RobSmithca

RobSmithca

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6

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I was called by 'Microsoft Technical Assistance' this morning. They similarly tried the 'EVENTVWR', 'INF' and 'PREFTECH' commands. After showing me the error messages, harmful programs and telling me that 'Avast' antivirus was not good enough, they tried to get me to go to their website- www.support.me. They try to get you to type in the last 6 digits of your Windows ID. Fortunately, I ended the call at this point. The number they rang on was 035361748210. If it wasn't for this thread, I wouldn't have known.

I then rang the REAL Windows technical support, and they were very helpful. As long as no bank details have been given and no software has been downloaded, there is no danger to your computer or your personal information. However, it is important to remain vigilant- i.e. if there are any excessive pop ups or redirections from when you go onto normal websites such as Facebook or Google.

I hope this stops someone from getting scammed, or, at least staying on the phone with them.
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Kamy_90

Kamy_90

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Hi, I just got off the phone about an hour ago from them, did a virus check & system restore anything more I need to do?
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CameronWilliams

CameronWilliams

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6

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If you didn't give them access to your computer then you haven't any problems.
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Try*3

Try*3
Community Star
User of Dell Inspiron 1545, Windows 7 Home Premium x64, Office Pro 2007, HP DJ1220c, Canon LiDE 600F
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