Online PC Care a scam

Myself and a few people I know have lately been getting similar calls in Australia. 

I am curious about one thing though.  They seem to know when an error report from the pc has been sent to Micrsosoft.  Is there a way they can intercept the system generated reports?  They were also able to tell me exactly what my pc's internal ID was - which means that this is not just a Cold Call.

If you feel threatened by the Error Reporting Mechanism, disable it:

Right click My Computer, Properties, Advanced tab.

In the bottom, click the Error Reporting button and make the appropriate selections, click OK, OK to save the settings.

If you are getting errors that XP seems to think worthy of sending to Microsoft, I would figure out what the problem is and fix it - don't count on getting any useful information from MS via that mechanism besides the generic "thank you" message.

If you get ever get any kind of error, figure it out and fix it.

Thank you.  I take your point and have made the recommended adjustments.  I do tend to fix my own pc problems.

But - this does not change the observation that it seems that someone out there is able to interecept Microsoft reports, extract pc identification information and then collect enough info to contact someone on their phone.  Is it possible to determine the phone number of the phone line that is providing ADSL?

Thank you again for your prompt reply.

Thank you.  I take your point and have made the recommended adjustments.  I do tend to fix my own pc problems.

But - this does not change the observation that it seems that someone out there is able to interecept Microsoft reports, extract pc identification information and then collect enough info to contact someone on their phone.  Is it possible to determine the phone number of the phone line that is providing ADSL?

Thank you again for your prompt reply.

You should seriously consider scanning your computer for keyloggers. If a keylogger was installed on your computer during the remote session, all your personal info could be compromised.

Superantispy-portable

Malwarebytes.org

TDSSKiller.exe

http://www.eset.com/online-scanner

Thank you for your comments but you seem to not get my point.

These people seem to be aquiring pc specific and personal information BEFORE there is any phone calls let alone connecting to their website.

In my case:

they rang
asked for to speak to either Mr or Mrs (my Surname)
identified that in the past few days a Report had been sent to MS
identified the pc in question right down to the internal ID
tried to get me to log onto their website and grant them access
At this point I terminated the phone call.

I have a fully uptodate AV (Trend M IS Pro) with Firewall etc active and do weekly Full System Scans.

These people's activities would seem to warrant a closer look from MS, as the scammers: have been operationg for several years / The seem to interecept MS Reports / They say to the individual that they are agents for MS / on their website they include MS logos etc.

Thank you for your comments but you seem to not get my point.

These people seem to be aquiring pc specific and personal information BEFORE there is any phone calls let alone connecting to their website.

In my case:

they rang
asked for to speak to either Mr or Mrs (my Surname)
identified that in the past few days a Report had been sent to MS
identified the pc in question right down to the internal ID
tried to get me to log onto their website and grant them access
At this point I terminated the phone call.

I have a fully uptodate AV (Trend M IS Pro) with Firewall etc active and do weekly Full System Scans.

These people's activities would seem to warrant a closer look from MS, as the scammers: have been operationg for several years / The seem to interecept MS Reports / They say to the individual that they are agents for MS / on their website they include MS logos etc.

You are welcome for the comment. I completely get your point but, think you are not fully informed. I deal with malware on a daily basis. Obtaining your name and telephone number is simple and does not require access to your computer. You are correct that they possess this information prior to calling. If they had all your personal information prior to accessing your computer there would be no need for them to request access.  The purpose for them requesting access to your computer is to install software which will allow them to later access your computer without you knowing it and/or obtain your credit card numbers, pin numbers, passwords and any other information which can be used for scamming through the use of a keylogger. Keyloggers record the strokes made on your keyboard and is later deciphered to further the scam. Avira is a good av but, not conclusive. No anti-virus has a 100% detection rate. Moreover, it was not designed to detect all forms of malware which is why when protecting your computer you need a layered approach. The scanners I provided links to are the top malware scanners available. They have both free and paid versions. The free versions will remove malware just the same as the paid but, do not provide real-time protection like the paid does. I recommended the scans purely as a safety measure.  Also, I am of the opinion error reports are not being intercepted but rather, these people have an inside contact with Microsoft. Think about it. MS has locations in India. India is where 90% of these calls come from.

Thank you for providing a detailed response.

As per your final opinion - this matter would seem to warrant further investigation by MS as it would seem they have a possible problem somewhere in the Error Report Cycle.

Getting that information is easy.  People give it up all the time - all you have to do is pay attention.  If somebody knows something about you, it is because the information probably came out of your mouth or your keyboard.  You don't have to "do" anything to get it, it comes to you.

Sometimes I am a volunteer "driver" from people that need to go to the doctor to have some medical treatments.  They need somebody to take them, wait a long time and bring them home (maybe 6 hours later).

During that time, I set up my camp in the waiting room with my supplies, commandeer the TV remote control and wait.  Other people come in and out of the office all day.  They sit and talk to each other, to the receptionist or on their cell phones to their friends and other people.

While they are taking, I hear them say much about themselves.  In a short time, I may know a great deal about maybe 10 people that minutes ago were complete strangers and I never opened my mouth to ask them a single question - they just gave me all the information:

First, middle and last name and how to spell it

Spouses first, middle and last name

All the names and ages of their children

There complete current address and how long they have lived there

Do they rent or own

Their previous address

Their telephone number

Their cell phone number

Their spouses cell phone number

Their mortgage company, interest, terms, monthly payment and guesstimated value and balance

Where they bank

Sometimes their checking account number

Almost always their credit card information (type number, expire date, name on the card, CCV code)

What kind of car they drive

Their birthdate

Their spouses birthday

Their home, work and cell phone numbers

Their work address

Their wage

Their email address

Their spouses email address

Their spouses work

Their education

Their SSN

Their spouse SSN

Their childrens SSN

Where their children go to school

Their mothers maiden name

The city and state of their birth

Their current health afflictions

The names of their doctors

Their list of medications

What is for dinner tonight

What is new with Linsday Lohan.

I get all that info on 10 people just by watching TV or reading and I haven't opened my mouth.

It would be easy for me to scam these people if I wanted to, but it would be their own fault for giving up the information so willingly.

If somebody knows information like this about you, chances are you gave it to them somehow.  If you feel your system or personal information has been compromised, you compromised it.  Not willingly of course, just by not thinking far enough ahead like some other people do.

If you use your computer to visit my WWW page and you have not taken a few precautions (which most home users would not do), I can tell a lot about your system and collect that information.  If I am a good salesman, I could perhaps talk you into connecting to my site for a free and confidential "security check" since somehow we had noticed unusual activity in your metropolitan area (which I can determine)  and thought your system had some bad software on it especially if you have ever paid bills online or bought anything with a credit card, so we need to check it out for your own safety (there is no charge for this service).   You need a security check right now!

Most people have heard at least something about Internet security threats and will be quick to do it - even letting me take over their machine.

Let's see...

They must have gotten your contact information and telephone number from somewhere, so try to be more careful about who gets your telephone number.

If somebody asks you for personal information, do you just give it to them?

If somebody asks you to let them connect to your computer, do you just let them do it?

Now they may know a lot about your computer and may have even sucked off personal information and files, but that is not Microsoft's fault.

Why didn't you contact MSN first before allowing them to access your computer?

Why don't you notify your telephone company that you never want to receive a telephone call from that number again (tell them to block calls from that number).