Phone call scam- received call from a technician who said my system was infected

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Mick Murphy - Microsoft Partner

"Reynard 99" wrote in message news:6ed2b99c-20ff-468b-a69b-aec78b93f287...

I am the gullible one who has possibly gone too far with the Indian phone call. As I was using my laptop at the time it was too easy to believe.
Although I was getting suspicious, I actually entered a code provided by caller, to allow "technician" to advise by online chat. Then I stopped. I am concerned that this could have infected my system, XP Pro. I have provisionally restored system to a date before the call. Is this sufficient, or should I re install XP from scratch? Also what is the risk of my main computer, running 7 and not in use at the time being affected?
What other remedial measures should I take?
What extra precautions should I take with regard to online banking?
Any advice very much appreciated.
Reynard 99

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Bill Sanderson

Thanks Mick, will explore XP forums as suggested.
Reynard 99

Thanks for reply Bill,
Have run Microsoft Security Essentials, Microsoft Malicious removal tool, Advanced windows care, AVG. In process of running Eset and Prevxx.
So far no problems have shown up.
As far as installing code is concerned. I was instructed to enter www.logmein.com, then enter a code to allow technician to be able to assess the "problems on my computer". Unfortunately I went with it as far as that but baulked at paying £210 for three years cover, and terminated the call.
Will let you know result of final two scans when completed.
Can you say: if my other computer is safe?
Reynard 99

I'm not sure what the sequence of activity would be with logmein--but this
service itself is safe, if you are dealing with a trusted person or company.
In your case, you did not think so, in the end.

It sounds as though no actual connection was, in fact made.

If I am recalling your query, the other machine was not in use during this
event. In that case, there's no possible infection mechanism--it would have
needed to be on and connected to the same network, or, if turned on later,
for both machines to be connected to a common server or file storage device
of some sort.

I think you made the right choice--but it isn't clear to me whether the call
was truly malicious, or just avaricious (I.e. they were after the money)

In any case, the actions you've taken seem sufficient to me -- I think
you're clean. If you want, run a full scan with Microsoft Security
Essentials on the other machine as well--but don't be too surprised if it
finds some odds and ends in mail stores and the like.


"Reynard 99" wrote in message news:f60731af-7225-4e4d-b0c1-c2422d88d7e4...
Thanks for reply Bill,
Have run Microsoft Security Essentials, Microsoft Malicious removal tool,
Advanced windows care, AVG. In process of running Eset and Prevxx.
So far no problems have shown up.
As far as installing code is concerned. I was instructed to enter
www.logmein.com, then enter a code to allow technician to be able to assess
the "problems on my computer". Unfortunately I went with it as far as that
but baulked at paying £210 for three years cover, and terminated the call.
Will let you know result of final two scans when completed.
Can you say: if my other computer is safe?
Reynard 99

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Bill Sanderson

Hi, I am curious.

I too received a call from the subcontinent.  I pretended to follow the steps but actually turned off the network connection.

The voice, from "advance Support" reportedly was subcontracted to "windows" (not microsoft) and warned me, as a windows customer, that the "software security layer" had expired.  Immediate action was required.  i asked a few questions and the phone connection was terminated.

Was this the same modus operandi as your own scam?

Peter

I KNEW this was deeply suspicious and yet I too fell for it although I am hoping that they have not been able to have access to my computer as they had me open up "Run" and asked me to do a rough count of the number of red warning messages - I put the phone down to count and they must have got bored and hung up as it took me several minutes to count.  what a dumbo!  Why didn't I trust my instincts?  I am assuming they could not access my PC remotely without me putting a code in to allow a technician to access it?  

Hi, Fletch007.

Yes, you are correct.  They were not able to access your computer.  If they call again and you are in the U.S. follow the instructions provided above by Mow Green. If you are located in the U.K. please report the information tohttp://www.actionfraud.org.uk/ . As shown in the article linked below, the Metropolitan Police in the U.K. have been actively investigating this type of fraud.

 

A police crackdown has led to the closure of several websites linked to a scam offering unnecessary PC ‘support’.

The Metropolitan police force’s Police Central e-crime Unit (PCeCU) closed 19 websites linked to the scam in April. This action was taken because of the belief that offences were being carried out under the Fraud Act.

Despite this action, the fraudsters continue to plague consumers. Emails from readers show many other sites offering dubious computer support are still active, or being created. The evidence that we have gained clearly shows fraudulent activity.

Victims of the scam receive a cold call from India. The callers say they have been alerted to the fact that the person’s PC has been infected with malicious software. For more details of how the scam works, see the story on page 2 of this article. Our latest investigation into this ongoing scam started when a member of our team received such a call at home from a company calling itself Click2support, which claimed to be a department of Microsoft.

On subsequent calls that we recorded, our undercover reporter paid £89 for security software from this company, which Click2support said was worth £300.

 

See the complete article at Police close in on PC support fraudsters .

 

 

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Corrine, Microsoft MVP (Consumer Security). This posting is my opinion and does not necessarily reflect the opinion or view of Microsoft, its employees, or other MVPs and is provided without warranty and confers no rights.

I have recently recieved my fifth phone scam call.  (I am a window's tech and you have problems with your computer) I am not in anyway racist but the guy sounded like he was from India and as I can be such a sweetheart he gave me a phone number when I told him I would have to call him back. 

Thought you might like it.  Incidentally I live in Australia on the sunshine coast at Buderim.  The phone number he gave me is *Removed*

I am lucky in the fact that the computer I am using is actually a friends so not registered with Microsoft in my name and these idiots who have called me always ask for me personally.  I have to admit on the first call they were so convincing I actually believed them and they obviously with my help gained remote access to this computer as I wasn't able to get in contact with my friend who's computer it is. 

Once they had access to the computer they told me I had to pay (from memory) $270.00 at that point as I had no way of paying that sort of money I became suspicious and disconnected the computer from the power for the weekend as my friend wasn't due back till the monday.  Apparently in that time an article was published in the newspaper about "phone call's from window's not true - fraud"

I hope the phone number helps because while I have the failsafe of them asking for me knowing the computer isnt in my name I know they were so convincing on that first call that there must be a lot of people out there being ripped off.

Hope I've helped.  Phone if you need to clarify anything on *Removed*

 

Kerri Dale.