I have just had a “cold call” from a man with a heavy Indian accent telling me that my computer was full of “errors” and that I had to follow a particular procedure. I smelled a rat immediately and told him that I was asking the questions. When I asked him whether he was living in India or England, he put the phone down.
I looked up in Google using the opening line of this person “I’m calling you about your computer errors” and came up with Phone scammers call the wrong guy, get mad and trash PC. Exactly!
When he asked me to start pressing keys on my computer, I did not do so, but asked him what happens when I do so. They are not prepared for questions. I was suspicious immediately, because I have been using computers and internet for a long time – and have learned about trolls, scammers and other undesirables. Apparently, if you complete the process and allow them direct access to your computer, they have you hand over a load of money via Paypal and then they trash your computer with real viruses or by deleting your data.
The best thing is to terminate the conversation immediately, but if you know about them you can play them like a hooked fish – if it makes you feel better. Just disconnect your computer from the internet during the call as a precaution – but they need you to set up the internet communication line. They can’t do it.
We have had the Nigerian 419 scam, phishing and now this. A healthily cynical attitude on our part should indicate that they are suspect by the fact they are phoning us and they “need” something. It is the same thing with all phone marketing – just tell them to find a job! If we call for technical support, we normally get the number we dialled and the genuine agency (Microsoft, etc.).
Remember real support phone lines don’t call us. We call them.
Watch the video and be wise. Another link on this subject: Virus phone scam being run from call centres in India.
Here’s someone who had fun with the Indians:
Don’t try this unless you know what you’re doing.
