Microsoft phone scams

I've written some about phone scams. They are common. You can be phoned, it can be a pop-up screen on your computer, or emails. This is what you can do.

My eldest son read my post about the scammer who called, the one I made hang up (Microsoft called!). Jess sent me info about this show, which has two parts. It was fascinating, as they tracked down the company, Accosting.com, and found them in Delhi. Young and impoverished people are taken advantage of, working for these common scammers. It's a huge problem, except for those who are getting millions of dollars from duped victims. Those making money lack the values most of us hold to, feeling that to rip off 'rich' citizens in North America is fair game. 

The show's podcast (podcast URL) is an interesting listen, if you have time. It's podcast #102, and called Long Distance. The journalist, Alex Goldman, receives a phone call from a scammer. He engages the scammer, to try to figure out what he is up to. Eventually, he is led to a webpage, which he researches, then they give him a  phone number to call. He calls, engages the caller, who is claiming his name is Alex Martin. He allows him access to his Mac computer, which one should NEVER, NEVER do! Alex Martin figures out they cannot sucker journalist Alex Goldman. But Goldman keeps calling them to try to find out more. It is the craziest story. 

There is a part two, as well: #103 Long Distance, Part II, in which they end up traveling to India to try and find this scamming business. 

"Impact of Tech Scams is much higher in India, the US, and China than in other markets. Brazil, South Africa, and Singapore are in the next tier of impact. Experience with tech scams is much lower in Australia, Canada, and Europe. The results indicate a strong focus on US, India, and China."

They also point to an IPSOS Microsoft survey (PDF), which compares reactions in different countries to this scamming. It is an interesting survey.

"Impact of Tech Support Scams is much higher with people under age 34 than with older respondents."

I've had several clients phoned, while I sat there. I take the call, and basically tell them to take off. Sometimes I say, "Does your mother know what you do for a living?"

Sadly, these East Indian-based small time scammers take advantage of people desperate for a job, and taking advantage of the 25% of us who respond. 

Microsoft survey (PDF)

Microsoft survey (PDF)

Microsoft called!

good old days

Hubby's aunt told us that she had the Microsoft phone call scam. She is 87 and doesn't have a computer. She kept the guy on the line, pretending she did. I thought of her, right away!
It was a day of scamming. Yet another!

I was at my client's house and the phone rang. She couldn't understand what the caller was saying. I took the phone. He had a heavy East Indian accent. He told me he was with Microsoft and that my computer was broken.

I said, "It is?"
He said, "Yes."
I asked, "Are you going to help me with it?"
"Yes,"  he said.
"Oh, good!"
"Go over to your computer. Are you there?"
"Yes, I'm in front of my computer." (I'm giggling broadly at my client.)
"OK, can you find the key that says C-T-R-L, which means Control?"
"Yes. I found the control key on my computer."
"OK, What key is beside that key?"
"An apple." (I have a Mac! I don't have a CTRL key, it clearly says control. He paused.)
"OK, press the control key with your finger."
"What? With my finger? I can't use my nose?" My client laughed.
At that point, I was giggling harder, looking over at my nonegenarian client, who has never used a computer. Did he ever pick the wrong family!

We felt somewhat empowered.