New telephone scam?

reb · Dec 12, 2014

I got a call from someone with a foreign accent claiming to be from Microsoft. It seems my computer is somehow responsible for some kind of mischief. Before he got into the details, my temper got the best of me and I responded with an impolite remark and hung up. This is the second time this has happened. The first time was several months ago. The phone number on the caller id said the call came from some small rural network in the northern midwest. The second call was last night. The caller id number was an obvious fake--234567890. Before he got to any details I hung up again. Now I wish I had listened long enough to learn what was going on. Has this happened to anyone else?

bcp · Dec 12, 2014

About once a month I get a call saying there is a problem with Windows on my computer. (I have a Mac.)

They hang up on me when I say they must be mistaken, because I don't have a computer.

Bruce

mjw357 · Dec 12, 2014

Yes it is a scam, to either get personal info from you or to gain access to your computer.

Silvic · Dec 12, 2014

Yes I have had the call as well.
Last time I thought I would play along as I had a little time.
I was the dumbest user of a computer that he could have ever been talking to and I made him explain things in the most basic way. When I finally let him think I understood what command he wanted me to type in to the command prompt I told him that the computer crashed and went to the blue screen of death. He immediately hung up. I, of course, was reading posts on TBN while I was talking to him.

TnAndy · Dec 12, 2014

Ring: "MS" agent (yeah...right...can't be....I haven't gone thru 10 levels of automated phone guardian yet...)

"Are you sitting in front of your computer ?"

"COMPUTER ?? WHAT COMPUTER ???? TOOLS OF THE DEVIL, I TELL YOU.....WON'T HAVE ONE IN MY HOUSE" I shout.

Guy meekly says "sorry to have bothered you sir"....

ahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Toddao · Dec 12, 2014

I got one today from "bob" 457 561 0916. Same thing MS and my computer needs his help! I messed with him for a bit , telling him I was tracking his call and drones were on the way to get him, He eff me and said come to Nigeria

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

phiferpharm · Dec 12, 2014

I would probably be instantly banned from TBN if I repeated what I tell these SOB's when they call. It doesn't seem to matter as they have called several times ( but it does make me feel better

).

Tig · Dec 12, 2014

The guy from "windows" called my mom a while back. Visa-MasterCard called me once.
Lately I get calls from Westjet because I've won a g note. If I'm bored I press one to talk to an agent who I dazzle with my rudimentary French and my tenacious desire to claim my prize. After a bit they will hang up on me because I don't speak English and they don't speak French.
If you want a laugh, check out It's Lenny.
ItsLenny calls
Lenny is very clever collection of sound clips powered by a bit of AI that adds up to a pretty convincing old fart, ripe to be scammed, if only you could get him to focus. My favourite part is when he sets the phone down to shoo away the ducks.

doxford jim · Dec 12, 2014

If I don't recognize the telephone number I just hang up. Sometimes I let them speak a bit and then just put the receiver down - I don't say word. It must work because they don't bother calling me back.
I always figure, if an important call gets cut off, the caller will phone again.

boggen · Dec 13, 2014

speaking of which... i need to double check the do not call registry for the US. it has been a few years. most likely need to re-register.
www.donotcall.gov

i was fine for some time, but then blackfriday came along and i get about 4 calls a day now. from stupid scammers. the election stuff was the worst, about 10 calls a day from various election crud :/

i want spam and ad blocker like i get with email but for my phone!!!

Bird · Dec 13, 2014

Yep, we registered long ago on the do not call registry, so we only get 2 or 3 such calls a day.

I don't suppose anyone pays any attention to the do not call registry. We usually just promptly hang up, but occasionally I'll play along for awhile until they hang up. Or sometimes I tell them, "With my bad hearing, and your accent, I don't think we can communicate." And they hang up.:laughing:

zzvyb6 · Dec 13, 2014

I'm wishin' anda hopin' anda prayin' for the call from the IRS telling me I need to immediately send them money. Because I'm handicapped, they will have to come to my door to get the cash I have in my safe for such an occasion.

What a wonderful chance to try out my new excavator....

oosik · Dec 13, 2014

Hmmm - - I can honestly say I have never received a spam call. Of course, my only home phone is a cell phone, I've registered on the do not call registry & I only turn the cell phone on when I want to make a call. Otherwise, I occasionally check the cell phone for any messages and if important, I might return the call. Its worked for me for the 32+ years I've been out here. People seem to forget - my cell phone is for MY convenience - that's why I pay the monthly bill.

mjarrels · Dec 13, 2014

It's the holiday season, expect scamers to be working overtime. Watch out for scam veterns groups, sound alike major no-profits, etc. I use to donate to vets but thieves have taken over. Remember the chief of staff for a comgressman is Il or Mi that started a disabled vet no-profit and used the funds on himself, nothing ever happened to him. Legal theft. I don't even drop a coin into a Salvation Army red kettle anymore. World is full of thieves who are not held accountable.

mark

Bird · Dec 13, 2014

Yep, Mark, lots of scams; some by "legitimate" charities that I avoid, but I don't think the Salvation Army is one of them. That's one I do support and drop some $20 bills in the red kettles.

BLUE ME · Dec 13, 2014

portable air horn works great for these ppl.
Cheers

nybirdman · Dec 13, 2014

Best thing I did was to buy a phone with"call block",if I don't like the number I just block it....easy.

Silvic · Dec 13, 2014

boggen said:
speaking of which... i need to double check the do not call registry for the US. it has been a few years. most likely need to re-register.
www.donotcall.gov

Used to be that you had to re-register on a cycle that I think was 5 years. A couple of years ago it changed so that if you have ever registered you stay on until the number has a new owner. The problem is they (telemarketers) ignore the list as the feds will not prosecute except in the most egregious cases as there are too many of them. The other problems is there are so many loopholes for so called charities (just about anything that is a non-profit) and any company that you have ever had business with in any form is excepted form the rules of the do not call registry. Now that the technology has gotten so that just about anyone can put in a fake number to show up on your caller ID you can't even reliably report the offender because the number that you report does not exist for that company. I even had my own number show up as having been calling me on the caller ID. I would like to know how they automated the fake caller ID to identify the caller as the telephone number they are calling to not from. Even has my name with my number. First time I thought it was a repairman who tied into the line to test it but no it was telemarketers.

martinafaust · Dec 13, 2014

Had a call like that and four of my friends did, too. Appears to be prevalent these days so please remain vigilant everyone!

martinafaust · Dec 13, 2014

By the way, the phone number you shared has been reported several times before. This thread https://www.callercenter.com/234567890.html contained complaints associating the phone number to this fake tech support calls.