I just got a call from a very hard to understand person saying that my computer has a virus and has been sending Microsoft error reports, to which they're responding.

This guy tells me I need to download a program from www.teamviewer.com, I look at it and realize the guy is going to be in control of my computer. So I start thinking, when the hell did I send any error reports, and how did they get my phone number off of my ip address, which is what this guy is telling me...

So I ask "how do I know your working for Microsoft?"

and he starts talking about looking up his number, his e-mail address, some other stuff I couldn't understand...so I said "I'm not the owner of the computer, you'll have to call back later." and blahblahblah...

So I look up his number, 1-212-777-3456, and get all these comments on 800notes.com saying that a couple years ago it was "free government grants" and one person claimed they got a hold of her credit card information and used it to order a bunch of random crap, then called her twice from the same number claiming to be one of the companies they ordered from, asking them if they've received their order yet.

But it was two different companies from the SAME number.

So, anyone have any idea what is going on? I'll feel like an ass if my computer craps out on me in the next little while.

if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck....

I believe it is a scam. I had one myself a few weeks back same thing. Apparently my Pc had sent out an error message during a week I didn't even have it connected to the internet.

Claimed to be from Microsoft and asked what security programs I was using to protect from viruses. Then tried to offer me Microsoft security package for nearly ￡80 as well as allow a technician access to my computer so he could remotely delete a virus my Pc had apparently beeen infected with.

Alarm bells in my case.

Very strong middle eastern (i think) accent, but a very english name.
Asking me to provide remote access to my computer.
Error report sent during my PCs offline time.
Didn't know my name
Its not a standard Microsoft practive to do something like that, calling you up to sell a package you've never heard of.

Thing is, I'll bet a lot of less knowledgable people have been caught out by this. Like any scam, the victims will be those who didn't know different.

Nothing is wrong with your computer. (Or if there is, it isn't connected to the person ringing you up)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_engineering_(security)

Sounds exactly like what happened to me. Was there a lot of yelling in the background?



Interesting read(the wiki link). Glad to know nothing's wrong with it.



Damn turtles!

then it must be a turtle disguised as a duck!

Microsoft error reporting is so Microsoft developers can find out bugs and driver incompatibilities with their software. They don't respond to them directly. You cannot get a phone number from an IP address unless they were phishing for it. Meaning they were trying to steal your personal information.

Microsoft doesn't offer a personal service for virus protection. Viruses usually don't send Microsoft error reports unless they are crashing programs.

Microsoft wouldn't use a third party remote assistance program. They would tell you how to configure their own built-in version. Though I doubt they would need to control your computer in this way. This is mostly a tool for IT to control corporate computer networks.

Truly, you are a master wielder of Occam's Razor.

Was more like shouty-activity, but pretty much.

Good rules of thumb:

1) If someone calls you out of the blue and states there's a problem with something: your bank account, your credit cards, whatever--hang up. If you have any reason to suspect something may genuinely be wrong, or if you just want to remove all doubt, call your bank/credit card company/whatever INDEPENDENTLY and using a reliable and trusted number. ALWAYS initiate this sort of thing yourself. You may have just hung up on some poor, genuine person working at your bank, but at least you'll have verified that you're actually talking to someone at your bank.

2) Never, EVER allow someone who has contacted you (and not the other way around) to access your PC. EVER. If you are in a tech support situation which you have engaged, with a reliable source, and the only possible solution is for them to remotely access your PC--then maybe you can consider allowing it. (Although I'm extremely tetchy about computer security and remote accessibility, so even in this scenario I'd exhaust all other options first.)

Not to mention that error reporting is anonymous...

It's a lot easier to help someone using remote assistance, rather than trying to explain to them things that they don't understand. I've done it before, but of course it requires an element of trust; giving someone who randomly calls you up full access to your PC is obviously not a good idea.

Yacoby's "social engineering" comment is right on the mark: it's one of the most common forms (and one of the most successful) of "hacking". Never give any details to anyone who unexpectedly phones you up, even if they sound legit and already have some of your details as "proof". Particularly with regard to credit cards, bank details, any sort of account details or anything else. If you're concerned that they may have a point, offer to call them back on the company's main number (not any number they give you) but most of the time it'll be a scam.

Unfortunately some of the major companies don't do themselves any favours by engaging in bad practises such as phoning up and then asking you to confirm your identity, but even in these cases you should always phone back the main switchboard on a number that's verifiably theirs.

If he calls again tell him to "Buzz" off. *Replace buzz with a more apprpriate word for the situation*

I've never really heard of a random person calling for a computer error. I'd call your bank and not that number and ask for all information and if theirs anything wrong with your account.

Also I don't think Microsoft makes homecalls for sick computers. Their a greedy corporation, thats what they want. They want you to buy a new virus blocking system or a whole new computer if possible.

...it could be a well-engineered machine.

Microsoft doesn't sell computers or "virus blocking systems".

I'd say it is a scam. Either way, I wouldn't give that guy any information just in case. If you have a computer virus that's not too hard to deal with by yourself, and I've never heard of anyone calling YOU to give you support in stead of you calling THEM to get support. It just doesn't work that way.

I used to get those calls almost twice a week. I even told them I didn't own a computer and they wouldn't leave me alone.

Here's what you do. Tell him that you downloaded and installed the program (but don't) then see how long you can keep him on the phone troubleshooting your problem.

NExt time start talking about your day and tell them stories, preach to them about religion, politics and 2012, if you have the time.

they do have a free one called microsoft security essentials though

^This

Sad thing is....

There are people that will fall for this scam.

Kinda on topic...

I have a unique cat. She will sit on the couch and mind her own business until the phone rings. Once the ringer goes off she zeros into the phone (It only takes one ring). As soon at I pick the phone up and start talking the cat has some desire to scream into it.

So if I think someone is calling me with a scam....(have done this 3 or 4 times)...I say "hang on a sec" and just let Julie (the cat) scream at the phone while I go piss or make a sandwich or something.

Always makes me laugh.

The sad thing is that people still aren't being adequately forewarned, rather than any individual failing. Or perhaps sadder still that they need to be, but such is the way of things.