I got the call this morning, with the same phishing pitch that has been reported here by others. I actually enjoyed listening to him jump through hoops as I led him along and let him use his scripts, so the only loss for me was 5 minutes of my morning. He called on the land line (which we rarely use) and asked for me by name, at which point I claimed that I was the brother of that person; could I take a message?
Scam: He said he was calling on behalf of "my internet service provider."
Me: Really? Can you tell me the name of my internet service provider?
Scam: Well sir, we represent many internet service provider, like AT&T, Sprint...
Me: Oh, so you're not actually this ISP, okay.
Scam: We contract with many internet service providers, and we have been getting reports of some problems with your computer.
Me: Oh? What problems are those? How are they being reported? I'd like to give an accurate message to my brother.
Scam: Sir, if you are at your computer, I can lead you through...
Me: I'm not at the computer right now, but please, tell me the nature of the problems.
Scam: It's easiest if you just turn on your computer and...
Me: I'd rather not do that, would you like to leave a message?
Scam: When would be a good time to call back?
Me: He'll be back this afternoon, that should work fine. I see you're calling from Oregon. I'm in Washington, D.C. The internet service provider is Verizon, based here in D.C. Why did they contract with you all the way on the other side of the country?
Scam: If you go to your computer, I can show you where...
Me: Okay, sure. But first, I'd really like to know the specific nature of the problems you say are being reported.
Scam: Well sir, it's with Microsoft software, and the Windows operating system.
Me: No kidding. Because my brother has an Apple, and it runs Macintosh OS X.
Scam: Oh.
Me: So did you want to leave a message? I'll tell him you called and that you'll call back this afternoon.
Scam: No, no that's okay.
<click>
I received a call 11/26/2013 about 12:22 pst. Told me in a heavy accent that he was from HP help center and was investigating a suspicious attempt to access my computer. Wanted me to go to my computer and he could help me fix the problem. Before he could go any further I told him there was nothing wrong with my computer and hung up on him.
My wife got a call from this number claiming to be a 'Microsoft Windows' representative and coincidentally, she actually was having problems with her PC due to her own fault of downloading the Series 3 TV program Homeland (which caused numerous pop-ups. Although we have an IT person we could contact, she decided to go with this call. The person had an Indian accent, and seemed to be on a VOIP (voice-over-internet-protocol) line. Although pleasant enough, he directed her to her computer. I immediately called Microsoft and when I got a live person on their service and told him the situation, the instruction was "turn off the computer and hang up". So, I ran in my wife's office and had him repeat what he told me. We turned the computer off just as he had control of my wife's computer. Without hanging up though, I grabbed the phone and let me tell you.....I told him I would hop a flight that evening to India or anywhere just so I could grab his throat and kill him. Yup, a sane and professional 57 year old adult like myself lost it and I threatened someone for the first time in my life. I told him that if he called again I would '[***] kill him". Stupid us! No issues yet, but we cancelled our Visa cards immediately after and now the laptop is in for a major swipe. Microsoft told me that the company would never call individuals for any computer issues. So, be aware!!!!!!!!
Caller ID on my landline said "Dir Assist OR." The guy said there was a problem with my Windows PC computer. To which I said, "No there isn't as I don't own a PC" and hung up. (I've owned Macs since 1984.)
Got this # 11/29/13 at 10:45 and told me had a problem with my computer and I told hime didn"t have one then he stated swearing not at all nice words, I just hung up ,third time this wek.