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.

Then, there are phone scams!

phone scam from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

We've had four of these, two on one day.

Have you been scammed?

UPDATE: April 2nd
After copious emails back and forth. I finally have half of my money back. I have learned my lesson. No more 'free sample' orders.

THIS IS A SCAM!
How silly. I was. The web page said 'free sample'.
I am so angry.

I used to teach Internet Safety courses. I was sucked in. You can Google it, and find any number of complaints, as well as fake reviews on Amazon.com.

 

I DON'T love my hydroderm. It feels like oily crap!

Jan. 31st a screen popped up asking mt to provide answers to a survey on my ISP's service. I like Xplornet, even if they don't know how to spell. In exchange, they said, I could get a free sample of a product. I trust Xplornet. Who knew they could steal their name for a false survey?

I noticed the charge, on Feb. 18th, of $3.61 for postage. Yes, free sample, but you pay the postage and they take your VISA number. I thought little of it.

Until I checked my February VISA online, and noticed a Feb. 18th charge, by this company, of $128.71. Seriously. This vial holds 30ml, about an ounce.

VISA charge

Phoning VISA, the woman was quite helpful. Send an email to support@lovehydroderm.com and state that you want to cancel any and all services.

Yes, a scam 

GOTTA READ THE FINE PRINT!

When I went back to the website, as advised by VISA, there are 'Terms of Use' and I didn't read the entire pop-up, just the first paragraph.

In fact, this webpage refers to British currency. They are doing this all over the world! It was VISA who gave me their phone number, too.

This is what I emailed:

Dear Love Hydroderm,

You sucked me in with the fine print.

You are no longer authorized to charge me on my credit card.

Please cancel any and all services associated with my account, ending in the numbers *XXXX*.

You should be ashamed of yourselves. I hope you tell your mothers and grandmothers what you do for a living.

I have contacted my credit card company, and have advised them.

JJ

Do you ever get a phone call and no one is there?

We have, in the past couple of days. I am deeply suspicious.

Fabulous phone for
someone with dementia

There are a lot of phone scams about.

I did *69 and found the number: 416-342-9708. Then I did reverse look-up, as well as a Google search.

They say it is a Telus number, but I am dubious.

snopes.com: 'One Ring' Scam
Jan 30, 2014 - One-ring scam: Telephone customers return hang-up calls from foreign ... normal phone lines, letting the phones ring once before hanging up.


Calgarians warned of latest 'one-ring' phone scam - Calgary Herald


Feb 4, 2014 - In the one-ring scam, the phone will ring and hang up when or before the recipient answers. Those who are curious enough to call the number are billed.

What I think is that someone is doing this in order to have you sign up for a monthly reverse look-up account.

Here is an old scam:

snopes.com: #-9-0 Phone Scam

Upon contacting the telephone company we were informed that by using 90# you end up giving the individual that called you access to your telephone line and ...

Us old farts on the Internet

This just out:
Public beware - motor vehicle insurance scam in Ontario

NORTH BAY, ON, May 27 /CNW/ - The Canadian Anti-fraud Centre (formerly Phonebusters) and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are warning people who are seeking and obtaining automobile insurance, that fraudsters have been advertising fraudulent insurance premiums in Ontario newspapers and on websites.

Signs consumers need to be aware of are:

    -  Unusually low rates
    -  Everyone is accepted
    -  A phoney, invalid insurance slip is mailed or emailed to buyers after
       they have sent their premium through Western Union or Money Gram.

I have blogged since 2005, with students. (Since retirement for fun.) We integrated technology to provide a more holistic experience. All of my students had an on-line portfolio of their work. Our parent-teacher, student-led conferences were primarily done on-line.
Scared the hell out of some of my principals, the others embraced my forward thinking.


I have given presentations on Internet Safety to parents and students. It is well worth it to monitor your children on the computer. Check browser history. Keep the computer in an open area. No webcams in bedrooms. See more at:

Since the time I have been using computers in the classroom (1989) and creating computer generated report cards (1991), all has, of course, evolved. The layers of technology many of us do not understand. Page rankings, the data a stranger may keep on you and yours, requests for passwords (phishing) we have learned to eschew.

With many seniors in Muskoka's population (15%) we are a vulnerable group, especially if we do not understand the ways in which we may be preyed upon. Most of us understand about chat rooms, and the danger that those on-line may not be who they seem.

Critical thinking skills are crucial in this age. Too many are scammed, with identify theft, hackers, malware, trojans, a virus, pharming, phishing (sucking you into giving your password to a stranger),  pornnapped Internet sites, typosquatting and mortgage fraud, being things that irk me. There is a whole new vocabulary designed for new, illegal activities.

Google typosquatting:
Typosquatting Costs Google Advertisers $497M/Yr Google may be profiting from typosquatters at the expense of online advertisers, according to a study from Harvard University professor...

Another scam up here, people phoning seniors telling them their grandkids are in jail and demanding bail money. Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) is called vishing, a derivation of phishing, all designed to conduct fraud over the phone.

I don't know if I have it right, but I do know what I see and read. And, like people yelling into cell phones in a restaurant, I want users of modern technology to think about what they are doing and why. New technology requires new ethical principles. Yes, you can use your crackberry in my presence, but just don't! Similarly, when I am being served in a store, don't answer the phone, or at least put them on hold and finish MY sale, rather than giving preference to the customer on the phone.

People of my generation learned to use computers in the work place when they first arrived on the scene. Now, the activities are blurry, as well as the morals, ethics and values.You can tell how old I am by the computer card scan on the left. That was while I was in high school in the 70s.

Immoral thieves target seniors, vulnerable luddites, but also those who survive by using their artistic talents; visual arts, literacy skills, photography or pottery come to mind, should have their property protected. The other vulnerable part of our population are the artisans who are subject to the vagaries of the climate and the tourists.

 The young 'uns laugh at us old farts whom they accuse of not understanding technology, but we were the ones who learned to use Skype with grandkids. For fun, not profit!

Many of us are on Facebook (FB) to socialize with kids or Grand Kids (and we think they are all grand!). Many of us send digital photos back and forth. We e-mail and talk to our kids on Skype. It is a marvellous tool. It is the best thing about technology!

Most of us are creeped out by the Facebook breaches of privacy, most of us do not undertand, and this is an issue of which bloggers need to be aware. It comes down to Internet Safety and wise use of the technology. The latest scam, is someone bulk commenting to me on YouTube and various others:

" love your videos.
you should check out this website: [site deleleted by me!] , it wil [sic] help you get more subscribers and views on your videos really easily. 

Sent to: canadianshow, newlifek9rescue, dfeclan, harrisonford96, donnadulcinea, tigerkim2, shadic253, j3nnyj1ll, artreflection, hulkgreenlaser175, fingerlive98, supersilverina, bumpinalong, villedaluz, ultrafur, hanshorseback, crystalcatdesigns, danielbreslauer, lancerdoubleosleven, britchesaandhose"

All they want, of course, is your cell phone number. I don't know anyone that know that. It is for outgoing and emergencies.

Now, my videos are for family, friends, and fans. Period. For fun. My blog is to share the pitfalls and the joys of being in Muskoka, or on the 'net. I used to teach this to students, parents and colleagues. It keeps my hand in and it is fun. But be warned. Think about how you use the Internet.