[TrudyM]

I just got a phone call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft saying they had detected a hack into my computer.
Its sounded like a scam, as when I asked them for my name they couldn't provide it (I am in a rental so they couldn't search it out) I then said if I have been hacked what is the Ip address for the computer and the Software registration info. They of course just repeated they were a service call that my computer had been hacked. I then said well I need to call my son at Microsoft and have him run a diagnostic then don't I. At this point they hung up.
Unless something has changed Microsoft does not monitor peoples computers. Has anyone else gotten this call?

[CFrance]

Thanks for posting this. We haven't gotten any of these phone scam calls, but we don't have a traditional land line--just a MagicJack.

But it's good to hear about these scams so we can be prepared. Those were good responses you gave.

[Phanatic Luvr]

My husband used to get this same scam on his cell phone.
Just remember .... if it sounds fishy, it most likely is fishy.

[gustavo]

Originally Posted by TrudyM

I just got a phone call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft saying they had detected a hack into my computer.
Its sounded like a scam, as when I asked them for my name they couldn't provide it (I am in a rental so they couldn't search it out) I then said if I have been hacked what is the Ip address for the computer and the Software registration info. They of course just repeated they were a service call that my computer had been hacked. I then said well I need to call my son at Microsoft and have him run a diagnostic then don't I. At this point they hung up.
Unless something has changed Microsoft does not monitor peoples computers. Has anyone else gotten this call?

When I get calls/emails/websites etc. like this I like to play along and when they ask for info that they are either going to use or sell I give bogus info. I write it down so if I'm asked to repeat it later in the call I remember what bogus info I gave them. This helps corrupt the data they are trying to sell and lowers the thief's credibility with their customers. If more did it the data would be worthless and there would be much less annoying calls in the future.

[PaPaLarry]

I got that call also. Told me that I had a virus in my windows. I told him, anytime I get a virus, I go to the doctor for a penacylin shot. It usually clears it. He said, no sir, it's your windows. I told him I just cleaned my windows last week, inside and out.

[TrudyM]

Originally Posted by PaPaLarry

I got that call also. Told me that I had a virus in my windows. I told him, anytime I get a virus, I go to the doctor for a penacylin shot. It usually clears it. He said, no sir, it's your windows. I told him I just cleaned my windows last week, inside and out.

Love it.

This idiot actually called back. I said I already talked to you. He said no mam. When I told him he was being recorded he hung up. But it is annoying to have your time wasted. I will next time do the bogus info thing sounds like a good idea.

[Steve & Deanna]

We had signed up for donotcall.gov and it does NOT seem to be working. So now, Deanna and I have fun with it such as "Hold on just a minute..." and putting the phone down or 'Oh, I'm so glad you called" and just go on and on with it. I've yet to use mine as my wife is so much quicker on the draw to pick up the phone, but when I do get the phone (man or woman), it's "Hey baby...what are you wearing?" I'll leave the rest up to the reader's imagination at this point. We do get hang ups. The other thing are these 'robocalls'. I was reading that if you punch the # button six or seven times, it raises havoc with their calls. Not sure if that's true.

[Mikeod]

There's another one going around. My mom got this call twice. The caller identifies himself as an officer of the "Florida State Police" and tells her she has been accused of fraud and needs to call him back to discuss the situation. The number to call is a cell phone in Maryland.

I don't believe there is a Florida State Police entity. There is the Highway Patrol and the FDLE and the local police and county sheriff. And why a Maryland number. She has reported this.

[Bryan]

The Microsoft scam (and several variations of it) has been around awhile. The Villages Daily Sun actually published an article warning residents about this particular scam on Wednesday, November 13, 2013, on Page C-3 of their newspaper. The article was called "Telephone Scammer Targets Microsoft Users".

[Lovey2]

I seem to get a higher incidence of annoying phone calls here than I did in SWFL. Could be the new number (duh!) or it could be they are targeting specific areas (us older folk...haha!) I usually just hang if it takes them a few seconds to answer my hello. I do get repeated calls from "Dell". I always tried to be nice to people calling me...even for surveys, State Police, etc. but once I reply nicely that I am not interested or don't wanna give to their charity, if they persist, I tell them I am hanging up now, and do it.

[PaPaLarry]

Originally Posted by Lovey2

I seem to get a higher incidence of annoying phone calls here than I did in SWFL. Could be the new number (duh!) or it could be they are targeting specific areas (us older folk...haha!) I usually just hang if it takes them a few seconds to answer my hello. I do get repeated calls from "Dell". I always tried to be nice to people calling me...even for surveys, State Police, etc. but once I reply nicely that I am not interested or don't wanna give to their charity, if they persist, I tell them I am hanging up now, and do it.

If you get the State Police one, or State Troopers, ask them to send the information!!! If they can't send the information, then they are not legitimate. They usually ask you, how much can I count on you to donate. I tell them, Nothing, until I read up on your organization. They usually hang up then, or say something like the postage is too expensive. What they really want is to you pledge a certain amount on your credit card!!!!!! Too many crooks out there.

[senior citizen]

..........

[BarryRX]

My buddy told me his wife just got a call yesterday from someone who identified himself as the FBI and was warning her of criminals in the area. She hung up before it could go further.

[tom60]

A few hours ago I was looking out my front window and I see 2 cars parking in the street. One car had 2 men in it and the other car had a man driving it and two women riding I the back seat. They were all dressed up. The men in suits and ties and the women in fancy dresses. I kept watching as they proceeded to go door to door on both sides of the street. I could see they had all of the indicators of being some kind of religious group trying to get new members to join or come to their church. So when one of the men got to my front door I just didn't answer the doorbell. I called neighborhood watch and told the lady on the phone what was happening and where these people wer located. She said they were not breaking any laws but she would dispatch a neighborhood person to go and tell them to move along because there were complaint phone calls coming in. I never saw neighborhood watch but as soon as these people had finished knocking on all the doors in my block they got in their cars and left. Just for your info in case they come knocking on your door.

[DDoug]

You should tell block watch it looked like they were trying to break in houses but then they would probably tell you to call the police. One thing for sure they wouldnt ever come back.