I feel bad for not stringing him along just to mess with him. I didn't understand this was an actual thing scam companies were trying to do until I looked it up after the call happened. He told me he worked for some company (forgot the name) and started saying that my computer had been sending out signals saying it has been compromised. I told him I had the most update to date virus software and he was like no no these aren't viruses these are programs running in the background and the company he works for are the only ones that are able to deal with this problem and he tries to assure me that they had helped thousands already. Then he said he could help me walk through the steps that would allow him access to my computer so he could fix the problem I promptly hung up knowing he was full of *beep*

You should have known that he was full of "beep" as soon as he said that your computer was "sending out signals," especially if the call came under the "company's" own initiative.

Microsoft support scam. Very common. Commonly use Ammyy remote viewing software.

http://www.troyhunt.com/2012/02/scamming-scammers-catching-virus-call.html

That did raise a few flags I was pretty confused at first

I work for the GeekSquad, and we've had an increase in people coming in saying they've got phone calls from "Microsoft" letting them know that there's a security loophole in Windows and that they need to remote-access your computer to apply a patch. Of course, once they're in the MO is typically to delete a bunch of system files, then tell you you need to subscribe to a tech-support package with your credit card in order to fix the problem.

I have to explain very carefully that Microsoft has already made their money off you, and doesn't give a rats ass about if your PC is compromised or not. Security updates are always distributed thru Windows Update, and the closest you can ever get to "talking" to MS tech support is an interactive automated system.

Then again, the "tech support" package that they want to sell you isn't too much more of a scam than the ones legitimate companies offer, so...

We've had quite a few of them now: they're always quite annoying. Latest variation is faking caller ID to look like UK-based numbers. In other news, http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/07/25/spam_relay_villains/, again.

I was able to get the phone number off my phone and it said it was buford Georgie from the caller ID and I was able to track the phone number to a closed down Attorney law office so apparently they just used some old phone number maybe used a service that lets them change a number to whatever they want it to show up on the ID

My mother believed an email that said if she forwarded it on, Bill Gates would pay her money. There is always someone around to believe even the most outlandish stories, like Microsoft employees spending all day phoning round the world trying to fix people's computers.

What are you talking about?

Those guys are very helpful and I fully intend to pay them for their services when my rich Nigerian uncles funds are transferred to my account.

Is your uncle also a prince? He e-mailed me a few days ago about some monetary problems... hope it works out for the best.


OT, I had a call a few months ago from a similar group of people, so I laughed and hung up, They've got easier targets to scam than me, and I've got better things to do than string 'em along, I figure.

So far only been getting random calls from some scammers using a 690 area code, I never answer though Googling the number leads it to be some sort of Political Survey group that sells cruises to Juarez Mexico.

How does one take a cruise to Juarez?

Is that the Juarez bordering Texas? Some cruise, all through the desert and all...