UK Warning - Scam Computer Problems Phone Calls

by rosetrees

Posted: 14 years ago 13 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

This should probably be in the Off Topic forum, but I thought I'd post it here as more people would see it.

This has just been forwarded to me from our local Neighbourhood Watch. Normally I dismiss these stories as scaremongering, but I KNOW this one is true as it happened to my neighbours just a couple of days ago.

They received a phone call from someone who gave them the impression that they were calling from Microsoft, told them their computer was sending out spam messages, talked them through delving into an error reporting panel I'd never seen before to show them all the errors and then directed them to Spark Support.

I managed to convince them it was a scam.

"SCAM COMPUTER CALLS

Over the past few days we have received several reports of a Computer Support Company, cold calling people in the area asking them to log onto their computer as they have detected serious viruses on your computer or your connections are affecting neighbours. They say they are from companies like "Spark Support", "Microsoft", or just "Your computer support company" etc. They get you to log onto a web site where you enter in a code and then they take remote access to you computer. After they supposedly remove the offending virus they then inform you that they will now be sending you a rather large bill for the service. These Remote Access companies offer remote technical support to computer users but they charge a large fee for something that can be done easily. Should you receive such a call, DO NOT switch on your computer, take their contact details and hang up. Fraud line has recommended that you then ring the consumer company direct and complain.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE ABOVE OR ANY OTHER PLEASE REPORT TO THE POLICE ON: 0300 333 3000 "

#calls #computer #phone #problems #scam #warning

noodle2005

14 years ago

Yeah i recieved a phone call a good few months back now. The caller said he was from microsoft and wanted me to go into start and run on windows and type something in, i cant remember what now, and it would return results of any problems with my computer, which they would then fix and upgrade me, all for a charge of course

When i asked him to give me the link to the microsoft website where everything he was talking about would be explained he just kept saying "but im telling you that you must do this and you must do that" etc etc.

I persisted with asking for information online then when i asked for his name and employee number he hung up.

I knew it was bogus straight away and i think he knew that i knew, hence hanging up.

Makes you wonder how many people actually pay for their "services" though

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2155052].message }}

rosetrees

14 years ago

Originally Posted by noodle2005

The caller said he was from microsoft and wanted me to go into start and run on windows and type something in, i cant remember what now, and it would return results of any problems with my computer,

Yup - that's the same thing they told my neighbours to do. Unfortunately they threw away the piece of paper that they had written it down on, and I can't remember what it said, so can't reproduce it.

Thanks
2 replies

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2155072].message }}

jverley 14 years ago

Sneaky stuff there. I could see that fooling ALOT of people.
- Thanks
Signature

Warrior Specials, Use "Warrior" as the Promo Code In the Basic Package:
Backlinks - $27 per 100. Report with links sent to you upon completion. PM me, or signup here: Backlinks

Unique Articles - $5 per, $10 per in spin syntax.
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2155087].message }}

noodle2005

14 years ago

Originally Posted by rosetrees

Yup - that's the same thing they told my neighbours to do. Unfortunately they threw away the piece of paper that they had written it down on, and I can't remember what it said, so can't reproduce it.

Ive remembered what they wanted me to run, i think :rolleyes:

It was "eventvwr" and i think it returns a log of any errors or events with the settings on your pc, err i think :p

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2155102].message }}

rosetrees

14 years ago

Originally Posted by noodle2005

It was "eventvwr" and i think it returns a log of any errors or events with the settings on your pc, err i think :p

Thanks noodle - that was it. start/run - type in eventvwr then go to "Windows Logs" and then applications. Although I'd never seen that before I managed to convince my neighbours that seeing errors there was normal - but obviously this company know this will scare people.

Btw - does anyone know if these callers really are connected to Spark Support? I don't want to smear their name if they are not part of the scam.

Edit: A bit of delving on the Spark Support website has convinced me they are scammers and hackers. Their testimonials page contains links to a forum where it is clear they have hijacked legitimate users' accounts to post fake testimonials. The forum in question contains this warning if you click on one of the links in the SS site = "There was a recent downtime due to issues with our backup servers followed by the corruption of some db tables from a hack attempt."

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2155198].message }}

noodle2005

14 years ago

Originally Posted by rosetrees

I read on microsofts website that nobody from the company or on behalf of the company will ever contact you unless you request it first.

Not sure about Spark support though

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2155203].message }}

André Silverspoon 14 years ago

Too bad scammers seems to be everywhere, I would tell them thanks and prefer to send request than being called.... then hang up.
- Thanks
Signature

http://AndreSilverspoon.com
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2155871].message }}

Bicycle Cat 14 years ago

This has also made the rounds in Australia. This is definitely an international operation.
- Thanks
Signature
Information on Healthy Eating | Healthy Eating for Students[/SIZE]
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2155084].message }}
GeorgR. 14 years ago

The sad thing is that there ARE people paying premium for things like installing a virus checker or doing some basic PC maintenance. Because not everyone is a PC nerd.

What Geek Squad et. al does is sometimes also more a rip-off than anything else.
- Thanks
Signature

*** Affiliate Site Quick --> The Fastest & Easiest Way to Make Affiliate Sites!<--
-> VISIT www.1UP-SEO.com *** <- Internet Marketing, SEO Tips, Reviews & More!! ***
*** HIGH QUALITY CONTENT CREATION +++ Manual Article Spinning (Thread Here) ***
Content Creation, Blogging, Articles, Converting Sales Copy, Reviews, Ebooks, Rewrites
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2155095].message }}

Nick Brighton

14 years ago

Someone called me a few weeks ago, and here's how it went down:

"Hello Sir, I am calling from PC support, and we believe there are several problems with your PC that can be fixed remotely. Can I just"....*CLUNK, BEEEEEEEEEP*

The last part was me hanging up. Didn't even waste my time being courteous.

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2155115].message }}

noodle2005

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Nick Brighton

The thing thats annoys me with people calling up, whether its about your electricity bills, mobile provider or whatever, they always seem to be from India (nothing wrong with that) or some other foreign country, then they say my name is Bob, or Bill, or whatever. No its not, dont lie, just because you're calling someone from england you dont have to pretend you have an english name.

If i was calling somebody in france i wouldnt say my name was xavier or something

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2155126].message }}

wiseleo 14 years ago

The first time anyone looks into Event Viewer, it'll be quite an adventure and they will be very confused.

It always has errors, right from the point the machine was initially setup. Thus, the statement "we believe there are problems" is actually true.

Ironically, any entries related to TCP/IP exceeding the number of connections really mean that your computer is compromised.

Any entries related to DISK typically mean the HDD is about to die and so on.

Consent must be established along with actual estimate amount prior to performing any work.

If anyone really is misrepresenting they are calling from Microsoft, they can be fried nicely for misusing the trademark. I did some cold calling from Microsoft offices using a Microsoft-provided list once. Only in that case was I ever authorized to say "I am calling on behalf of Microsoft" as my callerid number actually showed Microsoft's number. In all other instances, the most I can say is "I am calling on behalf of a Microsoft (partner level, such as Small Business Specialist in our case) partner". Partners like me sign agreement with Microsoft to that effect, so the aggressive company can lose their status pretty quickly.
- Thanks
Signature

I run a few startups that address critical business problems. PM or Skype me about joining my direct affiliate programs. My products are business continuity and customer testimonials. Both are unique.
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2157217].message }}
Damien Roche 14 years ago

My bad :p

hahaha. Seriously though, it is pretty scummy - almost as scummy as selling dreams to clueless newbies (in any field). Happens all the time.

My advice, get as much information as you can and NEVER just give out private information over the phone - even the password for your computer. Remote desktop access is a hackers dream.
- Thanks
Signature

>> Seasoned Web Developer (CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Ruby) <<
Available for Fixed Fee Projects and Hourly ($40/hr)
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2157258].message }}

UK Warning - Scam Computer Problems Phone Calls

Trending Topics

How did you turn it all around?

A healthy fascination for Hollywood...

Any thoughts on golf's latest phenom...Scottie Scheffler??

What's the Best IM-Related Skill to Learn Today That Can Help in the Future?

best high quality crypto traffic.