19-07-2011, 01:26 PM
I just received a curious telephone call from someone purporting to be from Microsoft claiming that my computer had been reported to them as being the source of viruses being sent to other users. I asked where this report had come from, and he rattled off some official-sounding title I didn't take note of. I was instantly on my guard, so said 'Let's start again, which organisation are you from?', to which he said 'Microsoft'. 'Microsoft, where?' I asked. 'Microsoft, Manchester' he replied. I then said 'This all sounds doubtful to me, how do I know you are genuine?'. He said 'You are....' and gave my name and correct telephone number, 'go to your computer and press the Microsoft 'flag' key'. My response was 'you give me your telphone number and I'll phone you back' at which point the phone call was cut off!
1471 gave the response 'We do not have the caller's number' - no surprise there!
As I was sitting at my computer, I Googled for Microsoft, Manchester. There is such a place, and it gave me an 0161 phone number, which I called. I got through and explained why I was calling, and the lady said she was just on reception, but would give me the Microsoft phone number, so I assume the reception is for a number of businesses. I phoned the 0844 number she gave me, after jumping through the expected 'call 1 for this, 2 for that' managed to get through to a human being. He confirmed that there was no-one at Microsoft Manchester who would make such a call, and I wasn't the first to be called. It is a scam they are on to.
Has anybody else on the forum had a similar call? What would have been the effect if I had started to follow his instructions?
Andy
1471 gave the response 'We do not have the caller's number' - no surprise there!
As I was sitting at my computer, I Googled for Microsoft, Manchester. There is such a place, and it gave me an 0161 phone number, which I called. I got through and explained why I was calling, and the lady said she was just on reception, but would give me the Microsoft phone number, so I assume the reception is for a number of businesses. I phoned the 0844 number she gave me, after jumping through the expected 'call 1 for this, 2 for that' managed to get through to a human being. He confirmed that there was no-one at Microsoft Manchester who would make such a call, and I wasn't the first to be called. It is a scam they are on to.
Has anybody else on the forum had a similar call? What would have been the effect if I had started to follow his instructions?
Andy