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>
Got this number twice today, didn't answer because an apparent US number calling my mobile is going to cost me connection as well. After those posts glad I ignored it.
I got a call from the number. The voice had a very heavy Indian accent. Asked if I was the primary user of the computer. I told him I wasn't and they said that they would call back. My phone showed "DIR ASST OR".
Have been receiving this same call. On caller ID it says "Dir Assist, OR". Guy sounds like he is from India, says he is with Windows something or other and says the same kind of thing as the MSN calls. Tells me to turn on my computer so he can walk me through this. When I ask what message my computer has been sending out and for how long, He gives me and answer, to which I respond it has not been on for weeks, so how is it sending out messages.... He still tries to get me to turn it on. So I ask which computer, since we have FOUR! He can't answer, of course, so he tells me to go to the computer and put in some info. Blah, blah, blah.... Of course I say it isn't convenient, so gives me his name & number and I say will call him. He does give me his name & number, but I didn't call back the next day, before noon. He calls the day after a starts this all up again with my husband....