I know this forum is usually for questions to get help but I would like to warn everyone I can about this new scam out there.
This is no joke. This just happened to me yesterday. I received a call from a man claiming he worked for a company that receives error reports directly from my computer. A windows operating system help center. The number is 1-212-345-67890, this number is straight off my cell phone. He claimed that my computer has sent many error messages directly to their server and that is what prompted him to call me. My computer has been very slow and constantly crashing so I listened. He provoked me into doing a remote access- where he takes control of my computer from where he is- by scaring me. He told me that the causes of all my problems are due to Trojans, malicious malware, and infectious spam. He showed me in dos that my windows security firewall has crashed. It also stated that my computer has been hacked by someone in china and that this person from china has hacked into my computer 1000 times. He showed me some event logs – which I know absolutely nothing about – and led me to believe that the 2000 issues on this log was infections, malicious malware, spam, and Trojans. I was scared to death my info was about to be stolen off my computer.
I stated that I already had antivirus software on my computer; he said that antivirus software is only for the external protection and not internal. In order for my external antivirus software to work my internal firewall has to work. And according to what he showed me; my windows fire wall protection had expired and crashed, rendering my external antivirus protection worthless.
I was so scared I ended up buying a lifetime protection plan for $250.00. Thank god my credit card company wouldn’t allow it. After my credit card wouldn’t go thru they tried to contact my bank via internet right before my eyes on my computer. I closed my internet and told them the bank is closed. Then he began closing all the windows he showed me and then asked me for my computer PASSWORD!! I said emphatically, “NO” and then shut down the remote access.
After I hung up with this scammer, my credit card company’s fraud protection department called me immediately and dismissed the charge and cancelled my credit card.
I called my Internet Service Provider and asked them about my protection. Come to find out there was nothing wrong with my protection. They had turned off my antivirus protection. We had done a scan and there were no infections, malicious malware, Trojans, or spam. What he showed me in the event log was just minor issues such as the CD player didn’t have a CD in it in order to play!
Would you believe he had the audacity to call BACK! I reamed him a new a**hole; then hung up.
I profess to be pretty savvy when it comes to computers but I got scammed. Thank god for my credit card company’s fraud protection department I would be out $250 and probably my info stolen out of my computer. Please be leery of anyone claiming to be from a windows help center they are scammers.
Love you all and hope you learn from my mistake.
A.
There was no need for making comments about how stupid I was to fall for this scam, I feel terrible enough on my own. I wasn't fishing for criticism. I was just trying to forwarn everyone.
I did call my ISP and they cleaned out my computer for me. They made sure that there was nothing that can harm or access my computer.
The scammers have been calling back constantly. My husband and I keep telling them to leave us alone and stop calling. My husband has gotten to the point of yelling and cursing at them. I found out that I can send their number to a blocked call list so I did. I hope they will stop now.
Yeah, a company never calls you, from a "error directly form my computer." They really never call you for anything. They don't actually have all that capability. Random calls are just that, random And scams.
I have received 3 of these calls this year and each time I tell him that I will call someone reputable in my community that I know and trust to look at my computer! The 2nd and 3rd time I was not so nice about it!
Wow, you fell for that? For starters I give NO info to anyone who calls me. If something is legit, they can send it to me in writing or give me a phone number to call back after I check them out.
Never give info over the phone...... I am glad your credit card charge did not go through for your sake.
Get this scam that happened to hubby last week......... He was downloading something on the laptop. Suddenly his webcam cam on and there was a big banner on the screen that said we are the FBI and we are taping you for prosecution. Scary, yeah.... Of course, if he wouls wire $250 to a certain place through 7-11 convenience store, they would drop everything. Yeah right...
Yes, his computer was infected with a big virus that is relatively new. it was $150 to get it fixed. The tech guy said they had seen this virus but this was the first time they've seen it activiate the webcam.
Bottom line, be careful about what you download.!
I'm with Cheryl, no information over the phone. I get calls constantly at work to switch our phone service, electric, etc. I always tell them to put it in writing and mail or fax it to me. If it's a legitimate business/offer, they have no problem with this. If it's not, they will always baulk at this request.
A.:
I'm sorry. I don't give ANYONE my information over the phone.
I'm sorry that someone was able to slip into your system and close windows on you.
There are two scams that I personally know about
Scam #1: I told people about this last year - you get a call from a "relative"...they are stuck in Mexico or some other country and need bail money. The voice sounds REALLY close...and since they called you the "right" name - you get the information and send money... this happened to my dad - NO he did NOT send them money - he called my niece first to find out WHERE she was (they live in San Diego so for her to go Mexico is NOT uncommon)...
Scam #2: you get an e-mail from a relative or in my case, a friend, whom you KNOW is going to travel and they send you an e-mail, FROM THEIR E-MAIL ADDRESS, and tell you they have been mugged - lost their passport, money, etc. so they need help...credit cards are gone, etc.
My friend was traveling to Spain. I got this e-mail. I called him even though it was 0600 in CA and said - are you home??? he said YES. I'm sorry for calling so early...and told him...he was getting calls from his family in Spain as well as they got the e-mail too.
Oh my, if you fell for that you aren't very savvy, that type of scam has been around for years though usually they do it by pop up.
If anyone tells you your antivirus has failed you call your antivirus company!
If *anyone* calls you saying they are from anywhere, hang up and call the company direct!
I should warn you now that they have your number, literally, they will try other scams on you so please be on guard.
I am surprised that you fell for this, honestly. I wouldn't consider myself savvy if I did. Unless a call like that is initiated by me, it's a dead give away that it's a scam. Do you really think that a legit anti-virus company has time to call every single customer that has had an error? Of course not.
Wow, that is so elaborate! Thank you for the warning!!
I got this call too. The guy had a very strong accent and said he was calling about a serious virus. But he said the provider was "X-Infinity" instead of "Xfinity".
I looked at my daughter and said "it's Peggy!" (From that funny commercial where the guy says his name is Peggy and he's calling from a shack in Siberia with a tangle of old phone wires).
I had a couple of minutes of fun at the guy's expense and said stuff like "So, Peggy, how's that training program working out for you" and "Peggy, I never thought you'd call me!" before informing him that him and his X-Infinity company would be reported to the FCC. He kept insisting on spewing his script and I hung up, but not before yelling "Transfer" in a thick Russian accent like in the commercial.
If you google the phone number you get a scam call from, you will most likely find a number of forums with that exact same number and the exact same type of call.
File a complaint with the FCC. Go to www.fcc.gov and on the left you'll see "File a Consumer Complaint". Be sure to do this.
Good for you for posting this. Glad your credit card company protected you.
Wow that's crazy! Thanks for the heads up!
Yeah.. the called me a million times last year... since I am perpetually cranky about calls like that I would keep them on the phone for like 1/2 hour a shot, but not give them any data... just asking them lots and lots of questions. After maybe 5 or 6 calls to me with thme getting nowhere they stopped calling.
Sorry, you believed them, their goal is to make themselves as believeable as possible. Especially whne they tell you, "if you don't believe me, look for file X on your computer." Of course you find it (since it is a standard file) but thier credibility appears to go up based on the accurate information. SO then they try to take you to the next step...
It is tough, but basically these days if somone calls me on the phone or send me an e-mail about something, I don't believe it. Used to be trust but verify, now it verify verify verify, and then maybe trust....
You had me up until you gave him your credit card number. I'm overly suspicious of most people (sorry, but I just am). Never, never give your credit card number to anyone who calls YOU. If you place a call to a known legitimate company, you can give them your number, but never if someone calls YOU - never!!!!
I'm also the type of person who doesn't just open my front door when someone knocks. I may open the inside door and keep the storm door (glass) locked while I ask what they want. If I don't like the answer, I don't open the door. Lucky it wasn't worse for you.
No it's not a new scam it's been in the works for a while now.They change their names I posted this back in July removal of spyware/malware calls they gave me a name Get easy tech their number and the so called website that doesn't exist per BBB geteasytech.com/UK he told me their headquarters is in UK.Same spill your computer is informing us about errors,viruses etc etc. he wanted to know if I would like them removed,never gave him any info just kept going around how are you getting my information your not with Microsoft,they don't make phone calls either.Anyway they called again last week the back ground sounds like they are running a casino the phones are ringing people are loud I wonder what else they are doing.There is people who belive this info about their computer and yup it's true becasue they gave their personl information out.Get what contact information you can from them HANG UP call your local BBB they will tell you it's a scam
It's a scary world out there and even on here sometimes. There are always those who think they would never get caught up in something like this. Don't worry, everyone has their day and when it's them being scammed, they will think back on how they responded unkindly to you. Anyway, the only thing I would suggest is that you report to your local police department. I am on an e-mail list at my police department and I occasionally get messages about scams or bad activity going around the area and the police get this information from the people in the area.
Hi A.,
I just want to say that it was very selfless of you to post about being "had" by this scam. Most people would be too embarrassed to say anything, and then the scammers effectively win. But you have a good heart in telling your story on here to try to prevent others from making the same mistake.
Have a great day!
I provide software support for a major manufacturing company. I do remote assists numerous times daily. I can tell you emphatically, we NEVER initiate a call to a client suggesting remote assist. Calls come into us. We work in Linux platform so we do not have viruses to worry about. When it is time to upgrade the software on the terminals and handhelds we do a mass emailing and snail mail to our clients recommending they contact us for upgrade.
Never, never, never give anyone remote access to your pc. You have no idea what this man opened on your pc. He very well could have run a script on your pc that would install keystroke monitoring software. He may already have access to your pc. Do NOT do any banking or bill payments online until you have had your pc checked out for possible trojans he could have installed.
Peace and Blessings,
T. B
Glad you posted this and so sorry you went through this. I always think I'm so smart and I'd probably be the next one it could happen to. They take you offguard don't they?
