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Phone - Scam

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved The Lounge
sysadminwindows-adminsecurity
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  • E Offline
    E Offline
    Edw
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    I don't normally post this type thing, but I feel the need to pass it on. My Mother-In-Law just got a phone call telling her that she had a virus on her computer. They knew she was AT&T and they knew she had DSL. They did not know her Name/ IP/ MAC. They claimed their IIS server flagged her traffic. They also claimed they has Microsoft certified engineers that could repair any damage. They tried to get her to download a remote-control program from the internet. She actually got as far as clicking the download button on the website. Luckily Security Essential caught it, threw a huge temper tantrum, and that's when I got brought in. The person on the other end of the phone was clearly in a overseas call center (I could hear the call center noise, and other languages being spoken. I can only guess as to the nationality). The person became very evasive when I started asking hard questions. The phone number came in as 855-791-1191. Goggling that number shows many similar complaints. My guess is the next step was to infect her computer, then sell her virus removal/ repair services. Scanned the computer with multiple legitimate scanners, and it is clean. My 60+ mother-in-law was very unequipped to deal with that type of call. Please educate those around you to be careful. -Ed

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    • E Edw

      I don't normally post this type thing, but I feel the need to pass it on. My Mother-In-Law just got a phone call telling her that she had a virus on her computer. They knew she was AT&T and they knew she had DSL. They did not know her Name/ IP/ MAC. They claimed their IIS server flagged her traffic. They also claimed they has Microsoft certified engineers that could repair any damage. They tried to get her to download a remote-control program from the internet. She actually got as far as clicking the download button on the website. Luckily Security Essential caught it, threw a huge temper tantrum, and that's when I got brought in. The person on the other end of the phone was clearly in a overseas call center (I could hear the call center noise, and other languages being spoken. I can only guess as to the nationality). The person became very evasive when I started asking hard questions. The phone number came in as 855-791-1191. Goggling that number shows many similar complaints. My guess is the next step was to infect her computer, then sell her virus removal/ repair services. Scanned the computer with multiple legitimate scanners, and it is clean. My 60+ mother-in-law was very unequipped to deal with that type of call. Please educate those around you to be careful. -Ed

      _ Offline
      _ Offline
      _Damian S_
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      This is a very common scam that has been doing the rounds over here in Australia for the past couple of years... As per usual, the elderly and naiive are the ones who tend to be caught up in it.

      Silence is golden... but duct tape is silver!! Booger Mobile - My bright green 1964 Ford Falcon - check out the blog here!! | If you feel generous - make a donation to Camp Quality!!

      1 Reply Last reply
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      • E Edw

        I don't normally post this type thing, but I feel the need to pass it on. My Mother-In-Law just got a phone call telling her that she had a virus on her computer. They knew she was AT&T and they knew she had DSL. They did not know her Name/ IP/ MAC. They claimed their IIS server flagged her traffic. They also claimed they has Microsoft certified engineers that could repair any damage. They tried to get her to download a remote-control program from the internet. She actually got as far as clicking the download button on the website. Luckily Security Essential caught it, threw a huge temper tantrum, and that's when I got brought in. The person on the other end of the phone was clearly in a overseas call center (I could hear the call center noise, and other languages being spoken. I can only guess as to the nationality). The person became very evasive when I started asking hard questions. The phone number came in as 855-791-1191. Goggling that number shows many similar complaints. My guess is the next step was to infect her computer, then sell her virus removal/ repair services. Scanned the computer with multiple legitimate scanners, and it is clean. My 60+ mother-in-law was very unequipped to deal with that type of call. Please educate those around you to be careful. -Ed

        M Offline
        M Offline
        Mycroft Holmes
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        I get this one regularly and I am approaching that age so they think I am vulnerable. They have my name logged against my home number, except Asia has a problem with surnames, it can come in eith first or last and they have it wrong. I also posted it here as a Mother Upgrade[^] I have since had 3 more calls from them much to my amusement. [edit] fixed link [\edit]

        Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH

        _ 1 Reply Last reply
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        • M Mycroft Holmes

          I get this one regularly and I am approaching that age so they think I am vulnerable. They have my name logged against my home number, except Asia has a problem with surnames, it can come in eith first or last and they have it wrong. I also posted it here as a Mother Upgrade[^] I have since had 3 more calls from them much to my amusement. [edit] fixed link [\edit]

          Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH

          _ Offline
          _ Offline
          _Damian S_
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          Hmmm... link issue there... it's not taking me anywhere near a Mother Upgrade post!!

          Silence is golden... but duct tape is silver!! Booger Mobile - My bright green 1964 Ford Falcon - check out the blog here!! | If you feel generous - make a donation to Camp Quality!!

          M 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • E Edw

            I don't normally post this type thing, but I feel the need to pass it on. My Mother-In-Law just got a phone call telling her that she had a virus on her computer. They knew she was AT&T and they knew she had DSL. They did not know her Name/ IP/ MAC. They claimed their IIS server flagged her traffic. They also claimed they has Microsoft certified engineers that could repair any damage. They tried to get her to download a remote-control program from the internet. She actually got as far as clicking the download button on the website. Luckily Security Essential caught it, threw a huge temper tantrum, and that's when I got brought in. The person on the other end of the phone was clearly in a overseas call center (I could hear the call center noise, and other languages being spoken. I can only guess as to the nationality). The person became very evasive when I started asking hard questions. The phone number came in as 855-791-1191. Goggling that number shows many similar complaints. My guess is the next step was to infect her computer, then sell her virus removal/ repair services. Scanned the computer with multiple legitimate scanners, and it is clean. My 60+ mother-in-law was very unequipped to deal with that type of call. Please educate those around you to be careful. -Ed

            K Offline
            K Offline
            killabyte
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            We had this scam going around NZ also.... i have to say the cool thing about it was the number always showed up as (01)23456789

            1 Reply Last reply
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            • _ _Damian S_

              Hmmm... link issue there... it's not taking me anywhere near a Mother Upgrade post!!

              Silence is golden... but duct tape is silver!! Booger Mobile - My bright green 1964 Ford Falcon - check out the blog here!! | If you feel generous - make a donation to Camp Quality!!

              M Offline
              M Offline
              Mycroft Holmes
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              Hopefully the link is fixed. You would think I could cut and paste by now!

              Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH

              _ 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • M Mycroft Holmes

                Hopefully the link is fixed. You would think I could cut and paste by now!

                Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH

                _ Offline
                _ Offline
                _Damian S_
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                Mycroft Holmes wrote:

                You would think I could cut and paste by now!

                If you would just download this software I will remote control your computer to assist you with that task. :laugh:

                Silence is golden... but duct tape is silver!! Booger Mobile - My bright green 1964 Ford Falcon - check out the blog here!! | If you feel generous - make a donation to Camp Quality!!

                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • E Edw

                  I don't normally post this type thing, but I feel the need to pass it on. My Mother-In-Law just got a phone call telling her that she had a virus on her computer. They knew she was AT&T and they knew she had DSL. They did not know her Name/ IP/ MAC. They claimed their IIS server flagged her traffic. They also claimed they has Microsoft certified engineers that could repair any damage. They tried to get her to download a remote-control program from the internet. She actually got as far as clicking the download button on the website. Luckily Security Essential caught it, threw a huge temper tantrum, and that's when I got brought in. The person on the other end of the phone was clearly in a overseas call center (I could hear the call center noise, and other languages being spoken. I can only guess as to the nationality). The person became very evasive when I started asking hard questions. The phone number came in as 855-791-1191. Goggling that number shows many similar complaints. My guess is the next step was to infect her computer, then sell her virus removal/ repair services. Scanned the computer with multiple legitimate scanners, and it is clean. My 60+ mother-in-law was very unequipped to deal with that type of call. Please educate those around you to be careful. -Ed

                  B Offline
                  B Offline
                  bryce
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  yeah what i did was to say i didnt have a computer then i engaged the chap in a lengthy discussion about what SORT of computer i should buy. wouldnt let him off the phone :) had a great laugh bryce

                  MCAD --- To paraphrase Fred Dagg - the views expressed in this post are bloody good ones. --
                  Our kids books :The Snot Goblin, and Book 2 - the Snotgoblin and Fluff The Snotgoblin for the Ipad

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • E Edw

                    I don't normally post this type thing, but I feel the need to pass it on. My Mother-In-Law just got a phone call telling her that she had a virus on her computer. They knew she was AT&T and they knew she had DSL. They did not know her Name/ IP/ MAC. They claimed their IIS server flagged her traffic. They also claimed they has Microsoft certified engineers that could repair any damage. They tried to get her to download a remote-control program from the internet. She actually got as far as clicking the download button on the website. Luckily Security Essential caught it, threw a huge temper tantrum, and that's when I got brought in. The person on the other end of the phone was clearly in a overseas call center (I could hear the call center noise, and other languages being spoken. I can only guess as to the nationality). The person became very evasive when I started asking hard questions. The phone number came in as 855-791-1191. Goggling that number shows many similar complaints. My guess is the next step was to infect her computer, then sell her virus removal/ repair services. Scanned the computer with multiple legitimate scanners, and it is clean. My 60+ mother-in-law was very unequipped to deal with that type of call. Please educate those around you to be careful. -Ed

                    L Offline
                    L Offline
                    Lost User
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    In my experience they don't even infect your computer; they take control then show you lots of error messages and warnings in event viewer, They then tell you they can fix it for $x00

                    MVVM# - See how I did MVVM my way ___________________________________________ Man, you're a god. - walterhevedeich 26/05/2011 .\\axxx (That's an 'M')

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • E Edw

                      I don't normally post this type thing, but I feel the need to pass it on. My Mother-In-Law just got a phone call telling her that she had a virus on her computer. They knew she was AT&T and they knew she had DSL. They did not know her Name/ IP/ MAC. They claimed their IIS server flagged her traffic. They also claimed they has Microsoft certified engineers that could repair any damage. They tried to get her to download a remote-control program from the internet. She actually got as far as clicking the download button on the website. Luckily Security Essential caught it, threw a huge temper tantrum, and that's when I got brought in. The person on the other end of the phone was clearly in a overseas call center (I could hear the call center noise, and other languages being spoken. I can only guess as to the nationality). The person became very evasive when I started asking hard questions. The phone number came in as 855-791-1191. Goggling that number shows many similar complaints. My guess is the next step was to infect her computer, then sell her virus removal/ repair services. Scanned the computer with multiple legitimate scanners, and it is clean. My 60+ mother-in-law was very unequipped to deal with that type of call. Please educate those around you to be careful. -Ed

                      L Offline
                      L Offline
                      Lost User
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      This has been happening in the UK for some 12-18 months. I don't know whether they actually target people by age but I know a couple of other people in my age group (60+) who also got it. I tried to get one caller to tell me which of my computers he was referring to, and he got quite angry and started demanding that I give him the information he asked for first. I sent him away with a flea in his ear.

                      Unrequited desire is character building. OriginalGriff I'm sitting here giving you a standing ovation - Len Goodman

                      L 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • L Lost User

                        This has been happening in the UK for some 12-18 months. I don't know whether they actually target people by age but I know a couple of other people in my age group (60+) who also got it. I tried to get one caller to tell me which of my computers he was referring to, and he got quite angry and started demanding that I give him the information he asked for first. I sent him away with a flea in his ear.

                        Unrequited desire is character building. OriginalGriff I'm sitting here giving you a standing ovation - Len Goodman

                        L Offline
                        L Offline
                        Lost User
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        I know a few who have had this in the UK too. My father, a charmless man, answers each phone call with "What!" and if you don't identify yourself as someone he wants to talk to immediately he follows with "Fuck off" and hangs up. He is yet to be scammed.

                        Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends.

                        L 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • L Lost User

                          I know a few who have had this in the UK too. My father, a charmless man, answers each phone call with "What!" and if you don't identify yourself as someone he wants to talk to immediately he follows with "Fuck off" and hangs up. He is yet to be scammed.

                          Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends.

                          L Offline
                          L Offline
                          Lost User
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          He sounds like my sort of guy. :laugh:

                          Unrequited desire is character building. OriginalGriff I'm sitting here giving you a standing ovation - Len Goodman

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