I don't know about you guys, but here in New Zealand, we have had the Microsoft cold calling scam over and over again. For those of you who don't know it, google it.
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Basically, people from some call centre (Usually in India judging by the accents), will tell you they are from Microsoft and that your computer has a virus that will threaten to wreck all your software and data. The solution is some program that will either unleash ransom ware that costs several hundred dollars to remove or it the program will give them remote control of your computer and they will wreck it and steal any passwords and PINS so they can compromise any online profiles you, empty your bank accounts and or use up your credit cards.
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I have had 4 of these calls in the past two weeks, they must be getting desparate. I know they are all Indian as they have that stereotypical Apu type accent and youtube videos usually trace them to India. Often I have found they will call themselves non Indian names so people won't be suspicious, I have had Bell John, Mike Moore and Andrew Jones, but you can tell by the accent they are fake.
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Does India not have laws about online scamming and online telephone fraud. Our telcos and Police can't do anything about it, as they can not prosecute overseas callers. Also blocking overseas calls does nothing as often the Indian call centres may route the calls through a local hacked number.
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One I heard was a guy called Bel John who spoke like "Oh yes, I do be thinking there is a virus with your computer, you do need to be fixing it with the big money, cost many rupee". There are warnings here by our Consumer affairs and I am sure that very few people are falling for the scam, but it seems to be a vengeance.
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Is it an issue in your part of the world and why are the Indians so desparate to rip people in our part of the world off so much, perhaps an Indian member knows.
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If you get one of these calls, hang up and don't engage them as they will bombard you, I listened to one sentence of their call and that has caused me to get 4 calls in a week and a half. They are all daytime, and I have only answered as its school holidays and I am home (Too poor for holidays and outings).
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They can not get remote access to your computer unless you authorise them by following the instructions they give you. Also Microsoft has stated they will never call clients at home and don't keep records of where computers are, so the call centre reps are lying.Youtube videos show too they will attack and abuse you and many have resorted to swearing and cursing.
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These people are criminal scumbags and they are very unpredictable, just hang up (They always start off polite).

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Is it an issue with you guys too?

That is an old scam.

Check this out: http://answers.microsoft....196?auth=1

http://www.ndtv.com/india...cam-720575

http://www.cbc.ca/news/ca...-1.2980453

I know it's an old scam and did the rounds back in 2012/2013 globally, but since last month it has started back up and the scammers are more persistent, hence why I want to warn people. Plus I am only warning you guys if it happens in America too.

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The first wave 2 years ago, they went away, but now this is back and they are more desparate.

happens here in the US too. annoying

Adorecream said:

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Does India not have laws about online scamming and online telephone fraud.
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I'm sure we do, but with the salaries our cops get, they are let's say - unmotivated to get off their asses and do anything about anything, no matter what happens.....

I, here IN India have got missed calls from foreign phone nos. and they disconnected quickly, i.e. it was a missed call - the scam was that they think people will automaticallly call back without checking to see what number the call came from, and it's a Pay number in another country....

Btw, when I read the topic, I thought you meant that Microsoft themselves were scamming people.... LOL! Too much Linux playing with my BRAIN....

[Edited 10/7/15 10:51am]

I guess the irony here is that Microsoft have never actually called a customer for anything.

Who falls for these scams anyway? Someone must do for it to still be happening. Its like the Nigerian email scam. Who really sends money to a Nigerian in return for the opportunity of a lifetime?

Anyway, Ive got this book called "how to be a millionaire in less than 12 months". It retails at $19.99 but I can sell it to my fellow orgers for only $9.99. Orgnote me for more details.

Anyone who gets fooled by that kinda deserves to have their shit stolen. Seriously, how would the caller even know that their computer has a virus in the first place? People too gullible these days.