This is the second time I've received a message from a person (1st time man with heavy accent) this time a woman with a heavy accent. Telling me that my computer is being hacked and that their company is going to help clean up my computer. I went to my computer and she told me to delete YAHOO and type in INSTASUPPORT 247.COM. I asked her name and she said Joanna Parker and I asked her what number could I reach her at and she gave a number but not even enough numbers to adequately call back. I got the number 217-853-3092 from my caller ID. I told her I had a friend that is a computer expert and she said he couldn't help me only I could do it. She was surprised when I told her I had a mac computer. I said I was going to notify my friend ( he is a tech person at the local university) and then I hung up.
I told the idiot that I preferred my computer to be full of viruses. It makes me happy. He suggested I put my computer in the washing machine. I told him I had no washing machine. Then I ended the call.
These persons are only trying to get money from you. First they get you to give them access to your computer with some kind of program, once they have done that you get to watch them run your mouse anywhere they want in your system telling you how many viruses it has and other problems. Then they say they will run monthly checks of your computer. After about 6 months they will call saying that there business is closing and they need to send you a refund. If you don't do what they want they will literally lock you out of your own computer by changing your password. I know because it happened to me. They got a good sum of money from me, no refund. They set up monthly payments to come out of my banking account. Had to cancel everything and start new. This is no BS!!!!!!!!! WHY CANT THEY TRACE THESE NUMBERS AND CATCH THESE PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Be careful -- they will call and say you have something wrong with your computer (as others have stated) and will direct you to a website to log onto. DON'T! They will take control of your computer, lock you out, and basically "hold it hostage", until you pay them. And in most cases, you won't get your computer back (so I've heard) unless you take it in somewhere and really get it fixed. And then, they have your credit card information, etc.
Read this in a magazine, online AND there was some news story on either 20/20 or Dateline or something, too.
Had a phone call like this about 6 months ago, and this guy was pretty darned convincing! I, however, do NOT have a Windows computer like he absolutely INSISTED that I did. I'm running a MAC. But I let him go on with his little spiel. I'd hate for my mother or another elderly person to fall for something like this. So terrible!
Yes -- heavy, HEAVY Indian accent, and claiming to be from a division of Microsoft's IT Department, but didn't work directly from Microsoft.