Good morning, I'm calling from computer maintenance.......

A

Ameriscot

SF VIP
We don't have caller ID on our phone, and don't intend to buy a new phone just for this service. But we are starting to get these calls 2 or 3 times a day - always a lady in India (or with Indian accent). We rarely get calls on this phone as we usually give use our mobile numbers. We have one friend that calls on our landline, and that's usually it.

I usually reply to these calls by swearing loudly and hanging up or just hanging up. I haven't had the patience to hang in there and find out what they really want - remote access and control of my computer, a credit card number? Anyway, I've put a whistle next to the phone for the next time they call.....
 

We've been able to stop these kinds of (robo) calls with a service called NOMOROBO, but I don't know if they have it for international service. It's amazing how many times we just get one ring (now) and the service automatically disconnects the call. Still, I have had those calls in the past and know exactly how you feel. They are trying to scam you. Sometimes they'll call and say they are from "Windows Security".
 
Bobw235 said:
We've been able to stop these kinds of (robo) calls with a service called NOMOROBO, but I don't know if they have it for international service. It's amazing how many times we just get one ring (now) and the service automatically disconnects the call. Still, I have had those calls in the past and know exactly how you feel. They are trying to scam you. Sometimes they'll call and say they are from "Windows Security".
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I did sign up for something similar years ago. I'll need to recheck it. I wonder how many elderly people who know little about computers fall for these scams.
 

It's a 4-or-5-year-old scam. They want-into your system... to 'create' a problem, so they can 'save' you from it. -Luring you to sign-up for a protection 'product', so they can legally bill you forever for it. I'm not aware of online-scammers actually phoning people first.

Be wary, but take comfort that organizations like Interpol are constantly weeding these characters out.
 
I have a new system that actually tells me who is calling or rattles off some number so I don't have to bother swearing at them as I used to do...��
 
Dupe Murkland said:
It's a 4-or-5-year-old scam. They want-into your system... to 'create' a problem, so they can 'save' you from it. -Luring you to sign-up for a protection 'product', so they can legally bill you forever for it. I'm not aware of online-scammers actually phoning people first.

Be wary, but take comfort that organizations like Interpol are constantly weeding these characters out.
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I figured they wanted control of my computer - tell me I have a virus and they'll fix it with access. Uh huh. These calls are always from very polite women with an Indian accent.

I would never fall for this kind of crap.
 
Ralphy1 said:
I have a new system that actually tells me who is calling or rattles off some number so I don't have to bother swearing at them as I used to do...��
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Yes, seems to be more common in the US. Not going to buy a new phone just for this. My sister never picks up her phone until they've been identified.
 
My wife gets EXTREMELY mad at me when these calls from "Windows" come in. I engage them in conversation, acting as if they are my best friend. I tell them I am so glad they called to help me. Then, when they finally ask me if I am where I can access my computer, I say "What is a computer?" I then go into a rant about speaking English and they hang up on me. To me... it's entertainment.:)
 
Grumpy Ol' Man said:
My wife gets EXTREMELY mad at me when these calls from "Windows" come in. I engage them in conversation, acting as if they are my best friend. I tell them I am so glad they called to help me. Then, when they finally ask me if I am where I can access my computer, I say "What is a computer?" I then go into a rant about speaking English and they hang up on me. To me... it's entertainment.:)
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I've thought about playing a game with one of them as well. :D
 
My father used to have fun with those people who call. Then one of them got mad at him and I believe he got them so mad they started giving him prank calls by calling and not saying anything. My dad still had fun; then he would set the phone down when they would call. He would just walk away and go about doing his daily routine. lol
 
Ruthanne said:
My father used to have fun with those people who call. Then one of them got mad at him and I believe he got them so mad they started giving him prank calls by calling and not saying anything. My dad still had fun; then he would set the phone down when they would call. He would just walk away and go about doing his daily routine. lol
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My husband used to scold the callers telling them they should be ashamed of themselves. Now he just hangs up.
 
Amerscat,

If only one person uses your land line, why do you have a land line?
I Have a land line because I have a phone in each room (5) in case I need to call 911. But otherwise, why have a land line?

BTW The computer thing. It is a scam. They have detected a virus or a thermoglopexation from your computer. Veddy, veddy bad. Send money via credit card to correct this, or all your data is lost.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
Amerscat,

If only one person uses your land line, why do you have a land line?
I Have a land line because I have a phone in each room (5) in case I need to call 911. But otherwise, why have a land line?

BTW The computer thing. It is a scam. They have detected a virus or a thermoglopexation from your computer. Veddy, veddy bad. Send money via credit card to correct this, or all your data is lost.
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We are semi-rural and must have a landline for broadband.

Yes, I know the computer thing is a scam. I'm not an idiot.
 
Remember, neither the IRS nor Microsoft phones anyone. They use US Mail. These are 2 scams that are common now.
 
I always ask them their name, where are they calling from, what's the weather like, are they married, do they have children, what type of music do they like, what do they like to watch on TV........they usually hang up on me.
 
Ameriscot said:
I did sign up for something similar years ago. I'll need to recheck it. I wonder how many elderly people who know little about computers fall for these scams.
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Those services are normally only good for 2 years in the US and then you have to reregister. I must admit, when I get such calls, I string them along.
 
I have a phone that does display who is calling. However, with the Windows call, it usually just displays 'International' or 'withheld'. As far as I know, callers from the UK must now display their numbers and if they are persistent offenders, they can be prosecuted heavily. A few have been fined hundreds of thousands of pounds this year. The consumer service Which runs a service where you can report a nuisance caller. They will then refer it to some authority to act upon.

I ignore all calls now that I do not recognise. It has become that bad! I can save numbers and identify them for what they are. Either friends or scammers.

As for reacting to the scammers? I would not do that. Remember that these callers will probably be using a database to select numbers. On that database they will identify who is gullible and worth calling. That database will be accessible to other scammers to use. So, if you piss them off, they will probably just identify you as worth calling to get back at you. I simply hang up.
 
senile1 said:
Those services are normally only good for 2 years in the US and then you have to reregister. I must admit, when I get such calls, I string them along.
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I'm not in the US. I checked and found I was signed up for one for legitimate sales calls, but not robocalls. I can't find a service in the UK for that.
 
Ameriscot said:
I've thought about playing a game with one of them as well. :D
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We had the same call last week ,My hubby loves "Playing"games with the scammers ..:eek:k:After I answered the phone I gave it to hubby and they said is that Mr Smith ...hubby said No my name is Jack Schitt ...they continued trying to talk him into doing something on the computer ..and ended up hanging up on him ....The very next day they phoned back and said to me is that Mrs Schitt :stupid::stupid:
 

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