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.
DO NOT allow access to your computer when one of these people call you. It is a scam, nothing more. They are using the psychology of fear to fool people into compromising their own security. And then they are defrauding people by charging them for services that were never needed in the first place.
1. Microsoft will never pro-actively call you in response to problems you are having (or may not be aware of) with your computer. Microsoft will only provide you with support if you call them. Therefore anyone who claims to represent Microsoft when they call you is lying. You can hang up on them without a trace of guilt.
2. If you do allow them access to your computer they can plant viruses, trojans or other programs that may give them a back door to access your computer at a later date. A full virus scan, or even a re-imaging of your computer (OS re-installation) is a good idea.
3. If you have paid any of these con artists money, and you used PayPal or a Credit Card, you can invoke fraud protection to get your money back. Call your Credit Card company and explain the situation. They will most likely do a charge back against the vendor. With enough charge backs these con artists will not be able to accept credit card payments any longer. If you used PayPal you can use their payment dispute feature. You will have to provide a written explanation of what has happened. Again, with enough complaints through PayPal their merchant status should get revoked.
This applies to onestoppcsolutions.com (One Stop PC Solutions), or any other party who claims to represent Microsoft.
This happened to me today and I fell for it! They gave me my computor number, forced me into checking it on my computor, whilst I was doing this they got into my computor. They said that a number of my files had been disabled. Then told me my computor would shut down because my security from micro-soft had run out, and that I needed to renew it ASAP! It could only be renewed if I paid over a hundred pounds to protect it. I declined. When I went back to the computor later, I could not get onto internet. They had disabled all my files! I had to call them back and pay £114 to have them restore it. They told me they were the engineers from Microsoft and that my system would shut unless I paid. After 4 hours and £114 later, I have my computor back and its all changed. When I said I was going to tell everyone, they said, they could trace all my transactions and shut me down. They are scamers..... do not let them into your computor. I am going to phone credit card company tomorrow, but I don't hold out much hope. I was rail-roaded into it. It should be illegal and they should be done for fraud or at best Microsoft should take action to shut it down!
Just recieved a call from +92 353, caller was female, couldn't understand her name, said she was from Windows help and support center. Asked about problems with my computer, I said yes (don't really but wanted to see what this was about) she asked if i was in front of it, at this point I started asking questions. She claimed she had my name, my phone number and my address. She was able to provide my address. Claimed company was in new jersey and provided the phone number of 201-338-6142.
At this point I advised her I didn't believe her, she said goodluck with your computer and hung up.