Got a call on our business number from what sounded like a call center in India. The guy seemed surprised that he got an answer? Then tried to tell me he was Windows support and they were getting error messages from my computer. I asked for his phone number and he gave me 305-396-8303. I told him I would call him back and hung up. I was too busy to mess with him. :)
This company has called several times. Claim to be 'WindowsActionCentre' Certified Microsoft technicians wanting access to my computer to fix errors by putting security on my pc. Claim to be calling on behalf of Windows, not Microsoft, because I am a certified Windows user and my computer was sending them a lot of errors on my system.
They run you through the steps to access your Windows event viewer, administrative events...then, want to fix them for you! Next they ask you to type in one of their www. *** support sites listed below. Typing in what they ask for would have given them admin privileges to my pc. Caller ID only shows 'out of area'...they claim to be in FL.
Info for them from their links: MI-10 Security System, www.fastsupport.com, www.getsettop.com, gotoassist.com, Citrix Online LLC.
305-396-8303.
Just in case somebody misunderstands your post, THE CALL WAS FROM A SCAMMER.
If the scammers accessed the computer, they probably did one or more of the following:
• Disabled the anti-virus software
• Added nasty malware to the computer
• Copied the Contact List (so they can email your soon-to-be ex-friends)
• Copied any financial data or passwords they could find
• Compromised the ID
• "Zombied" the computer, so it would respond to THEIR commands sent via internet
• Deleted some important files
• Asked for money to repair the damage they caused
What can you do immediately after such an attack?
1. Pull the cables on the computer, so it cannot access the internet.
2. Change ALL passwords stored on the computer
3. Run FULL malware scans on the computer, in "SAFE" mode!
4. Change the passwords again, particularly if the malware scans showed anything
5. Inform your bank and credit card companies
6. Sign up for credit monitoring, and check the status frequently
7. You may have to bring the computer to a local repair shop, and tell them the story.
8. Tell friends what happened, so they can be aware of strange emails from you
9. Plug in the cables only AFTER all the above have been done
10. Change the passwords on all online accounts. Even better - access a "safe", uninfected computer, and chance your online account passwords RIGHT NOW.
You fell for one scam, and might be susceptible to others mentioned on this site:
http://phonehelp.2truth.com/facts_rev.html
Read that info to educate and help protect yourself!
Honest computer companies do NOT cold-call people to tell them their computers need fixing!
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Cold-Call-Tech ... on-150170.shtml
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0346-tech-support-scams
Remember to return here, to 800notes.com, after you look at any of the information at the above sites, either to post more information, or to let us know you avoided the scam or fixed the computer correctly.
I've had a few similar calls to this one. I'm documenting the experience that I had with this particular phone number that was listed on the website that the caller referred to several times: WindowsActionCentre.com .
I keep them on the line as much as I can as I enjoy trying to frustrate them and keep them away from the masses of people that are not as computer literate as me. He wanted me to confirm his "friendly" intentions by going to his website and giving him a callback.
Our conversation ended when they asked me to click on the Window Function+R key, which brings up the "Run" box. I told them that didn't work because I use the Linux operating system. He actually had to put me on hold because I suspect that he had to ask his supervisor what to do next.
He started to insult me because I was a Linux user. I told him that I just verified that he was a scammer and I laughed at him.
I don't know if I he heard me or not before he hung up, but I tried to switch tactics and told him that he was an intelligent human being and that he should find another line of work because he has so much to offer the world.
I think this second tactic might be a better way to go as if I can get him to move on to a better career perhaps the better, but there are probably millions waiting for a chance to be in his chair.
Everything you just stated happened to me, only I was convinced he was legit as he put me in Run, cmd, and verified my Computer Licensing Number (CLS #) and it matched his verbal quote that he gave to me earlier for verification. I followed every command he told me, by typing what he told me in RUN, including and allowing a download of something called CITRIX , LLC and then he became a virtual tech, telling me not to touch my mouse or keyboard. My screen went blank, (no desktop visible anymore), my phone line starting beeping like crazy with a lot of static. The tech started typing in "NOTE" on screen monitor, telling me to be patient, he'll call me back. Approximately, 3 - 4 minutes went by, and my instinct just kicked in, and I shut my desk top off. Waited a few minutes, logged back on, went into Programs and Uninstalled CITRIX. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IF ANY DAMAGE HE DID???
You REALLY need to read the information in my earlier post.
Oh ... the "CLS" number is NOT your computer license number!
It is a Class Identifier, some of which are common to ALL Windows machines!
Read this:
http://www.welivesecurity.com/2011/07/19/support-desk-scams-clsid-not-unique/