... He eventually got his supervisor ...
... He eventually got his supervisor ...
This alone emphasises just how sophisticated this scam is and thus how lucrative this scam must be.
I usually deal with by the "we have several computers - what is the IP address of the one with the problem?"
Most ring off straight away, some don't.
Occasionally I can resort to - "oh you don't know, let's see if we can help narrow it down, is it one the computers upstairs or one of the computers downstairs?" then "is it a laptop or a desktop ?" followed by "black one or the white one ?"
Or, if I'm feeling really silly "is it the zx81 or the Atari ?"
I've been wondering about a VM that I could allow them to connect to. How long would they spend on it, finding the virus and the other imaginary problems?
And I am still getting three calls a day on average from these idiots. You would think by now they would have realized I am not going to fall for it.Yes. I'm getting about two a day at the moment, at about the same times. Weird that they carry on.
I had been feeling quite left out until today when I received one of these calls at my in-laws'.
Managed to keep the call going for ten minutes or so, at the end of which I was asked why I was wasting his time (!), then he called me a rude name before ringing off. And we'd been having such a nice chat!
Someone's got an intern?
Someone's got an intern?
I don't think we have any interns.
"OK, your computer is working fine now."
"Oh, thank you vey much!"
That' a precis...
My phone number seems to have 'leaked' as I'm now getting them. And PPI type rubbish. All from overseas to avoid TPS, of course.
I just tell them to 'fuck off' and hang up too. It doesn't seem to be discouraging them. I tried being polite. I did explain to one distant-sounding lady that as my 'accident' was fatal I wasn't sure there was any point in claiming. Apparently that was OK. She didn't seem fazed by the fact.
My computer isn't broke and I've never had PPI insurance or an accident so fuck the fucking fuck off.
*Phone rings*
Phyllis: Hello?
*Strong Indian accent*: Good morning. This is Alex from Technical Support. We have reports that your computer is infected with a virus
*Phyllis hands phone to me*
Me: Hello?
"Alex": Hello. My name is Alex and I am a certified Microsoft engineer. We have reports that your computer is infected with a virus. Are you at your computer now?
Me (quickly searching Google Images on my phone): Yes
"Alex": Could you look at the bottom left of your keyboard? To the right of the Ctrl key, what do you see?
Me: Err... Caps Lock
"Alex": No, to the right of Ctrl.
Me: Yes, Ctrl is on the third line and to the right of that is the Caps Lock key.
"Alex": Oh. One moment please, I need to put you on hold and talk to my supervisor.
*Hold music*
*Second Indian*: Hello. This is Peter. I am the supervisor. Could you tell me what key is to the right of Ctrl?
Me: Yes, Caps Lock.
"Peter": No, in the bottom left of your keyboard.
Me: The bottom left key is Alt. Ctrl is on the third line above Shift.
"Peter": Oh, um. Is the computer you are using a Windows computer?
Me: No, it's an Amiga 500.
*click*
Electronic Lady: The other person has cleared.
Project Mayhem is fighting back
https://www.patreon.com/ProjectMayhem
This week, a telephone scammer makes a terrible mistake. He calls Alex Goldman.
I managed to spend 20 minutes with one of these low-lifes the other day.
I'm delighted to report that at the end of the exchange she accused me rather angrily of 'wasting her time'.
Splendid.
:-) I promise to do better next time.I managed to spend 20 minutes with one of these low-lifes the other day.
I'm delighted to report that at the end of the exchange she accused me rather angrily of 'wasting her time'.
Splendid.
That's pathetic.
You'll find that, with practice, you can keep them on the line for up to an hour. ;)
The other thing I do is say "Just hang a couple of minutes and I'll be with you" . . . and ...... select one of the evening Ragas on my tablet, set it playing and then place the handset so it can be heard easily while I get on with something more important.
Now I'm intrigued. How does one use a NI number fraudulently? And what happens if you do? Does Thérèse Coffey come round your house and [“stop right there!” – Ed.].oi, that’s my MP you’re having fantasies about. Hang on, she’s a Tory, ok carry on.
Now I'm intrigued. How does one use a NI number fraudulently? And what happens if you do? Does Thérèse Coffey come round your house and [“stop right there!” – Ed.].I did wonder (not about Ms Coffey).
Please view and print the attached bill of lading \ invoice.
Thanks
Account Executive
O: 816.949.6842 x6842 | F: 913.643.9252
www.freightquote.com
Additional contacts:
Customer Service Team | o: 800.323.5441
*************************************************************************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the sender of the e-mail. The sender of the e-mail accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email. (IP)
*************************************************************************************************************************
Bollocks. Now I'm unsure if this is spam or not...Quote from: EmailPlease view and print the attached bill of lading \ invoice.
Thanks
Account Executive
O: 816.949.6842 x6842 | F: 913.643.9252
www.freightquote.com
Additional contacts:
Customer Service Team | o: 800.323.5441
*************************************************************************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the sender of the e-mail. The sender of the e-mail accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email. (IP)
*************************************************************************************************************************
And then there's an attachment which I am reluctant to click.
I can't find a reference to that order number anywhere else in my emails.
Edit: I'm treating it as spam for the moment...
Freight quote. Com appears to be a USA specific freight broker for full / part lorry loads of stuffs. I can't find (on a cursory look) that they have a UK operation, so what's with the 0800 number (unless it forwards to USA)?
It smells like tinned spiced ham to me.
Bollocks. Now I'm unsure if this is spam or not...Quote from: EmailPlease view and print the attached bill of lading \ invoice.
Thanks
Account Executive
O: 816.949.6842 x6842 | F: 913.643.9252
www.freightquote.com
Additional contacts:
Customer Service Team | o: 800.323.5441
*************************************************************************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the sender of the e-mail. The sender of the e-mail accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email. (IP)
*************************************************************************************************************************
And then there's an attachment which I am reluctant to click.
I can't find a reference to that order number anywhere else in my emails.
Edit: I'm treating it as spam for the moment...
Looks like a classic trojan. I'll bet the attachment is something a bit more occuous than a PDF. Isn't it nice that viruses come with boilerplate disclaimers nowadays?
smile <redacted> Mr Larrington <also redacted> New Impersonation Scam - Be Aware
We have been alerted that some customers may have received a phone-call from fraudsters posing as representatives from Amazon and other well-known organisations including BT, HMRC and Microsoft. This is known as an impersonation scam.
Scammers are very clever and will try to persuade you to download software, such as 'Team Viewer' or 'AnyDesk' to your phone or laptop. They may claim there is a security compromise or an issue in relation to a refund on your account that needs attention via the software they have asked you to download.
This software allows the fraudsters to access your device. During the conversation with you, they'll ask you to log in to your online bank account and emails. NEVER log in to your online banking account when anyone else has access to your device, as they can attempt to make payments from your accounts without you realising and stop any message or contact attempts from us to warn you of suspicious activity.
Caller: "Hello, I'm calling from the Microsoft."The temptation to reply, "I'm sorry, but my windows are manually operated. Goodbye." would be hard to resist
Blah blah blah.
Caller: "Can you please check your Windows computer."