First an Indian-accented woman called to verify that i 'have windows computers', then I was transferred to a "microsoft certified technician' who gained access to my machine via the AMMYY remote desktop sharing program, and proceeded to lead me both thru my internal performance logs and external web sites to "prove I had been affected by a koobface virus attack that had left a backdoor to my system open" to hackers. Somehow he pegged my CPU to 100%, though this was the only program running.
Next he offered to fix this and all problems for free, but he required a "security panel" to be installed, and led me to 'onestoppcsolutions.com'. Then he required that I purchase one of the plans offered by that site that start at $228. He pushed very hard, giving me his employer ID code of MS22259HQ, a name of 'Mike Smith' and a callback number of 201-338-6142. He sounded Indian with a New Zealand accent, if that's possible!
The call lasted over an hour; it took maybe thirty minutes before he even got to the security panel/sales pitch! Avast Internet Security has not picked up on any actual intrusion into my machine, but it's about to get a full in-depth scan.
Just got a call from a Roger Smith with an Indian accent. Wanted me to log in to my computer for Microsoft. Since when does Microsoft make cold calls and the phone number shows up as Anonymous. When I called back to the phone number he gave me, it was something Business Solutions. Again another Indian accent. Microsoft would not cold call and ask for access to your computer.
received a call on Feb 3rd 2012 , her name was Rachel. Same story, calling from microsoft and I am here to clean up the virus. I asked her several questions and she replied ..why are you asking me so many questions... they are fraudesters so ppl be careful, phone numbers do not show.. rachel has african-american accent...
Suspecting a scam, I feigned computerphobia and asked for a call-back number and name for my "IT guy". The 'microsoft technician' gave the now well-known number and asked me to ask for "Mr Steve". Is there anyway of stopping this stuff.
As Steve has noted, Jim & Peter are quite obviously the same guy, Jim-Peter is not all that credible in his attempt to thwart this thread; I really hope that no one falls for the scam.
They also called me F... them. They made me download things and stupid me I gave him my ID number and when they ask me to click on accept for them to control my computer I denied. and I asked them to give me their number they said they are from New Jersey and gave me this number 2013386142. and I googled it and found your and many other groups chat. again the guy has an Indian accent and when I refused to give him info, he asked a lady to talk to me with american accent. The thing is I bought my computer 3 years a go when I was living in a different country. Now I live in Canada so how come he said you gave them this number when bought your computer?
Got a call from (201) 338-6142 very similar to others reported above...i.e. claimed to be from Windows and would help me fix problem with my computer. Of course I did not fall for it.
I have a question though: since it is so evident that this number is used to carry out fraudulent activity, why the h...can't the FCC and/or the FBI take immediate action? Surely the phone company providing service at that number can provide investigators with names and/or addresses of the fraudsters.