I did not get a call. A POP UP WINDOW on my apple LAPTOP indicating related to Safari, said something about a virus on my computer and i needed to call this number... When i tried to close it, it just kept popping back up. and I couldn't click anywhere else. I knew not to do anything like call or give info but asked who i thought knew and he said to call..
The Indian accent guy wanted to do 2 steps to fix my computer that "wasn't working" ( even though i told him it was working fine, it was just that I couldn't get rid of that pop up window.) He wanted $129 for Advanced MAC tool: server and $179 for MAC Cleaner. His description of "fixing" sounded like re-installing the operating system, which i said the guys in my family have done, they can do that. He said no, only Apple techs can do it. (I'm thinking, ok, then i'll go my Apple Store.)
I stupidly let him do one of those programs where he can use my mouse to show me stuff. But i had gotten what i thought was trusted advice to do it. Ya, he accessed my computer. He showed me how the Firewall was turned Off and it can't be turned On (it wasn't highlighted) because something else has to be done and that can't until he does (probably described reinstall of op system.) He showed me a long list of addresses, said see, all incoming connections are allowed. (I was getting suspicious by then because i didn't see the clear logic of a problem, like what if that's the way we had it set to? And this just wasn't right for someone who i don't know to be seeing this. I didn't know when he began instructing me what to do, that this is where it would lead- to a program like I've used with my son to help each other remotely on our computers, he can take control of my cursor and see my desktop etc.) I finally hung up after messing with him, because i know not to give a credit card number.
oh ya, it got more and more "Red flag" for me as he upped the pressure of urgency to get it fixed "Right away." I never do anything major right away, never if it costs money. Another clue was when he used the word "delete" things on my laptop. I know that's what the nerds in my family have done, so the process made sense, but NO WAY would i ever let anyone else do that, because my guys make sure things are backed up, or we go over what i need saved etc.
The main thing is the urgency pressure- BIG RED FLAG people! When i calmly confidently stated things that were turning him down, like we can do it later, call back, he strongly stated "well I can't guarantee that i can do it then, only if you do it now..." Wow, the oldest trick in the book to sell something. Several times he acted like he was going to start doing something. One time i said "but i'm not paying for anything." He always reverted to the urgency sell tactic.
The strongest urgency tactic is the rant about "your personal information is compromised.. any personal info and bank accounts..." which i realized could be happening right then from HIM because he showed me my list of passwords- ya that's a huge red flag. I ended up hanging up on him as he got frustrated.
I don't think, i hope not any of my info is compromised. I don't save any info on websites, except cookies that do save a few user names and passwords. I usually use fake names- just for this reason! I know that the only important few i do have I can't get into unless it's from this computer.
Can they access my websites or my laptop like it's through my real laptop?
CAN THEY ACCESS MY WEBSITES OR MY LAPTOP LIKE IT'S THROUGH MY REAL LAPTOP? (the site be fooled?)
My guess is they are more after the money- getting your credit card number to pay to "fix" your "virus problem."
APPLE SHOULD BE NOTIFIED, so they can warn their customers of this fraudulent impersonation of these guys being Apple employees.
I asked the guy a lot of Qs. He gave me "his" phone number, which i got clarification that it's his tech dept or something, not his alone. I asked why it's different, he said because the number online gets rerouted to tech support. (Problem is, that's not totally a red flag. I have other corporate businesses where that legitimately happens.)
I asked and he gave the company name as:
Uber Tech Support
22 East 456 St.
New Town PA.
(I did not hear him say the "th" in 456th, if that's what he meant. it was going downhill fast- sounded too made up.)
His name (he claimed) was Vince Walker, MAC ID # 9462.
The direct line he gave me 1-855-558-8222. ext 503.
I'm getting the same message, how did u fix it. I called that number and the guy wanted me to connect the Ipad to my desk computer. He sd that the error was an internet issue. I told him that I will call back.
Please let me know, thanks a million
That same thing happened to me. They made me download an application so they can see where was the problem. I did it and he got into my computer and showed me that I had been hack before. When they asked me about my information and card number I told them that I was not doing to fix my computer. But I am worry, because I don't know of they stole information from my computer. Do you think they got information from my computer? I erased all the applications that they made me download and also shutdown my computer but I don't know if I am at risk. Please anyone knows?
Yes, you gave random scammers in india access to your computer. You should generally assume your computer has been compromised and they may still have access depending on what they did. It doesn't sound like you're particularly capable so what you should do is:
- Backup any data you need to some external media like USB thumb drive or external disk, not applications just data like documents, photos, spreadsheets.
- Use another secure computer to change your apple passwords, bank passwords, email passwords, etc..
- Either re-install your operating system via rescue boot yourself (it can do it over network), this will destroy all of your non-backed up data, or take it to the apple store and have them do it if you don't know how.
On a side note I trolled these [***] for about 20 minutes earlier today over google voice. Acted like I didn't know how to do anything, had them talk me through going to google for about 10 of the 20 minutes. Then I told them safari ("the compass" as I referred to it) wasn't working, they told me to use chrome "the round icon" and I told them it loaded "all of my songs" (itunes). They were so frustrated they actually told me to throw my computer out of a window because I'm "too stupid", at which point I started laughing at and they realized I've been trolling them.