Computer Scam

[micjer]

Got a pop-up yesterday that froze everything.  Said it was from Microsoft support and all of my information was being hacked.  Said I had 5 minutes to call this number 888-996-0697 or it would lock up my computer to save "their" system  Said if I shut my computer off that they would have no choice but to lock me out of my computer.


My first response was holy crap I had better call that number......

Then I thought ...... wait this may be a scam, so I googled on my phone and found info that sure made it look bad.   Not a Microsoft support phone number for one thing. Googled info said DO NOT PHONE THAT NUMBER!  So I didn't and shut down computer and rebooted and it was gone with no problems.

Just posting to pass the info along.

[Sgt.Rocknroll]

Yep, i've gotten that many, many times....pure scam

[The Seeker]

Ben there, done that, Mic  Just reboot the system and it will clear out but don't call them suckers; just answering the line they will ask if you can hear them ok and record you saying yes and charge the poop out of your phone...



Seeker

[micjer]

I wonder how many people call that number!  I am alert to such scams yet it had me thinking twice!

I was thinking if it had happened to my mother, chances are she would have called and who knows what info she might have given the buggers.  It looks legit at first glance.

[zorgon]

I wonder how many people call that number!  I am alert to such scams yet it had me thinking twice!

MANY people  otherwise these scams wouldn't work  Same with those Nigerian  "I am so and so lawyer and have 2 million to disperse just send us the bank setup fee so we can process you money"  type scams

I get that Microsoft one a lot and when I am on Seamonkey I have to down the browser, then reopen it and shut it down a second time  Then it clears

I can image it scares the hell out of people who are not savy with computers

Some of these guys even have "Microsoft in the url address  but a close look and you see it is not at microsoft.com

THAt is the first clue on any scam email   make sure the final .com address is who it claims to be

Here is one from Paypal but not from Paypal  (Its a German one I deleted the others already but it will make the point)




So the FROM says "service@paypal.de (would be .com in English) which is a legit paypal address  However you will notice that the "from" is only the name and the REAL email address is <scanner@mjgcos.com>  which has nothing to do with paypal

They use the paypal logo makes it seem legit but paypal will NEVER send such a letter... If they needd any info they post it on your actual account via email 

Same with banks.  I get bank ones like this all the time too

I have fraud report emails for everyone   When I get one I forward it to fraud before deleting  When you forward to fruad depsrtment make sure "view headers" is set to "ALL" not "Normal" because it sends the return tracking info to the source  It helps them get these guys

[thorfourwinds]

Ctr+Alt+Delete

will clear the screen also wIthout rebooting.

DO NOT CLICK THE "CLICK HERE" BUTTON.   

[biggles]

That helps a lot, thanks.

I always look at the url, from that you can tell it is not from the person or company they say they are.

I get really angry about so many people getting ripped off, older people especially.

[The Seeker]

That helps a lot, thanks.

I always look at the url, from that you can tell it is not from the person or company they say they are.

I get really angry about so many people getting ripped off, older people especially.

Those dastardly villians!!! Rally the troops!!!  Off with their heads!!!




Seeker