4 replies to this topic

[Mystic]

Seems there is a new telephone scam doing the rounds. This could have quite damaging consequences for the unwary. I received this call a couple of nights back, and the caller has just tried again tonight.

The caller claims to be calling from the "Windows Operating System Customer Service Centre" and advises that your number has been gained through their database. They then advise you that they have been recently bombarded with serious error reports and that your computer is heavily infected with viruses and likely to crash completely at any moment. The caller has an Indian accent and will first ask you to check your list of error messages on your computer, telling you that tthe number of error messages you have suggest the issue is critical and must be rectified at once. They then tell you that they can repair this problem and send you to google to search for the download page of TeamViewer software.

This is remote access software allowing a third party to gain control of your computer. I was already rather suspicious over the supposed company name, and the fact that I am a Microsoft Partner. Any calls regarding my software would come directly from Microsoft. When I questioned what section of Microsoft these people worked in I was told they are not part of Microsoft.

I did not download the software, and I assume the next stage would have been for the caller to run me through the installation and grant full access to them. If a person ran through this entire performance their computer would now be under control of the caller and the caller would have full access to any data you have stored, including passwords, bank details, etc.

If you receive a similar call, do NOT follow the advice given, these people are NOT working for Microsoft.

Please share this information through your networks.

[Mystic]

We reported this over a month ago. ABC News has finally caught up to date with a report today published here

[Shane V]

They took their time LOL...had to laugh when I saw the article, knowing that Mystic had posted this here.

[dave]

cheeky buggers,................ I've cottoned on to another that will work with most of them,.............. phone rings, pickup "hello" a pause, this is where the overseas operator is making sure that he/she is not speaking to an automated answering device, ............and where I hang up!

by the way I get a lot of laughs left on my answering machine, my message is quite simple

"Hullo! we're not able to answer the phone right now, probably out the back doing pleasurable things or just simply dont want to answer the phone, but if you think it's important enough then leave a message, if we think it's important enough we will ring you back!"

a lot of folks have stated that they are going to install this on their answering machine!

[Shane V]

Dave...good one