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scam phone call

Shaunmg

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Apr 15, 2009
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We've a few calls lately from someone with an Asian accent, with the low kind of sound that indicates its coming from abroad, claiming the are representing microsoft and they have detected we have a problem on our system. Has anyone else had this?


My wife has certain knack of ending this type of call in 3 seconds flat. She said to this particular caller. " can I stop you before you continue, I do not have a computer"


It worries me sometimes that I married such a good liar :mmm:
 
another way is to tell the caller you'll fetch the pc owner to the phone, put it on the tv then go and cook your tea, make a cuppa, have a smoke etc etc, a
 
The missus has had a few of these calls but I've never taken one. She always says to ring back when I'm in as she knows they're garbage but wants to hear me wind them up, but they never do.
 
Just ask them if they have taken out Personal Loan Insurance in the last few years. That should get them off the line pretty quick.;)
 
I like to string them along a bit. I played really stupid and he helped me try and find what he was looking for and I even managed to get the guy at the far end of the phone to tell me to F off when I eventually told him that my laptop was an Apple machine :)
 
You would be surprised how many people get taken in by these fraudsters.

It is a total scam with people either signing up to a 3 year service contract or a one off charge to fix non existent PC problems.

some of the PC mags (Micromart) have printed warnings, the problem is that most members of the public dont read PC mags.

there needs to be a big TV campaign to warn people.

Fragger

PC Engineer To The Gentry
 
Had the same call which started off as "We have detected a fault on your Windows". He didn't even have the cheek to say Microsoft.
All newspapers should include every day a list of recent and todays telephone scams.
 
Yep - get loads of these calls; absolutely love them! Try to keep them on as long as possible! Last time I had one I asked them if they wouldn't mind holding on whilst I had a No. 2. The guy asked me how long I'd be and got a bit upset when I told him about 15 mins as it was really the only time I ever got some quality time in the house on my own to read some of my book or a magazine - couldn't believe it when he hung up.
 
My wife's grandmother got one of these calls, she's nearly 90, and apparently had a heated debate with the chap on the other end of the phone about whether she had a computer, of course Elsie won.
 
I usually lead them enthusiastically for awhile, and then tell them I need my carers permission to spend money.
 
They have just done a piece on BBC breakfast about this
Hopefully they will run it again a bit later.

Might be getting a few phone calls now customer awareness has been raised

Fragger
PC Hero :-)
 
I always tell these chancers I can't talk because I'm driving, they usually go dead silent for a bit probably trying to work it out ;)

I've tried this type of put off with sales people phoning my business. Such as I'm driving or in a meeting, bit busy at moment. But the usually ask when is the best time to call back. Its better to end it there and then.


I am never rude to a person on the phone, or on the street, who is just trying to earn a crust like the rest of us. A polite refusal is the way forward. Of course scams maybe a different matter
 
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