Scammers

[poliphilo]

We just had a phonecall from someone in Kolkata who told me I've got viruses on my computer and he was the boy to sort it out. I knew it had to be a scam, but I'm not good at thinking on my feet so I gave the receiver to Ailz and she got rid of him by saying she'd check the computer for herself them ring him back. I've done some research since- and all the info one might possibly need is here . As scams go it's less evil than some. These guys don't install malware or get you to give them your vital statistics,  just sell you £185 worth of software you don't need.  Next time this happens I'll know to play mindgames with them.

Comments

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

We had a spate of those calls recently. I just got rid of the first call quite quickly by saying that I'd used computers for many years and I was confident there was no problem, but then they nearly conned my elderly private student into doing what they asked so when they called again I was in the mood to waste their time. As we have several computers, I kept saying things like, "But we have six different computers here. How will I know which one has the problem?" After I'd rambled on for a bit, he kept returning to the beginning of his script and trying again. :)

But by the third time they rang, I was losing patience and they'd interrupted me while I was working, so I just told them I use Linux and they weren't interested. (That's partially true. Though the computers we use most are Windows machines, four of our computers run Linux.)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

We must get four or five cold calls a day. Usually it's insurance salesmen and the like- above board but annoying. What's particularly tiresome is when reps from the same firm ring up over and over again.

I make a point of never doing business with people who come at me out of the blue.

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

Our cold calls dropped dramatically when we went on the Phone Preference Do Not Call list. If you haven't already opted out, I can highly recommend it. Of course it doesn't stop the rogue callers, but I just tell them that they had to right to call us and then hang up. :)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if we're on that or not. I rather think we are. I'll check with ailz. :)

[daisytells.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this post and thanks for the link, too. When I have more time I want to listen to all the conversations. The two that I did listen to gave me quite a laugh.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It's a clever scam. Unsettling. And it catches you off guard.

I feel a little sorry for the guys in the call centres who have to work the phones. It's a lousy job and they probably don't feel too good about themselves at the end of the day.

[(Anonymous)]

thanks for posting about this - I also have received a call from these losers - but it reminded me to warn my Mum and Dad ... who were called by them today.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It's a scam that really catches you off guard.

I think it's important to publicise it. The more people who are fore-warned, the less success the scammers are going to have.