FabSwingers.com forum: odd phone call

By *uby0000 OP Woman
over a year ago

hertfordshire

just had a call from some woman telling me I have an error code on my laptop and please turn it on and she would guide me through what I should do

seemed adamant I had to switch it on now didn't ring right to me so I told her I was going out but she was so persistant

what do you reckon? ive had no error on it and I told her I would not be switching my pc on for her

did I do right? what do you think it was about?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It's a scam

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman
over a year ago

evesham

Scam scam scam scam scaaaaaammmmm!!''

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *uby0000 OP Woman
over a year ago

hertfordshire

"It's a scam "

that's what I thought well didn't work on me thank god

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ricky_DickyMan
over a year ago

Mirfield

You did right not to do as she asked. It's a scam

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *uby0000 OP Woman
over a year ago

hertfordshire

"Scam scam scam scam scaaaaaammmmm!!''"

what do you reckon she would have done then

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It's a well known scam... They've rang us and a few of my friends a few times.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *uby0000 OP Woman
over a year ago

hertfordshire

"It's a well known scam... They've rang us and a few of my friends a few times. "

what do they do though im curious

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"It's a well known scam... They've rang us and a few of my friends a few times.

what do they do though im curious"

They will tell you theres a fault and ask you for remote access to your laptop, DO NOT accept anything they say its a scam as others have said

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

"It's a well known scam... They've rang us and a few of my friends a few times.

what do they do though im curious"

They talk you through installing a program that allows them control of your computer often charging you for the privilege then download all your information. My Mum had it happen to get and being elderly fell for it, she was very upset and frightened.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Usually they ask.for bank details under the guise of a system upgrade then wipe your account out.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *innamon!Woman
over a year ago

no matter

well we use two ways .. I have no computer I tell them ..or lead them on whilst making the tea.. pretend you are doing all the things they tell you without giving any info out.

personally I love messing with them

scam

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"It's a well known scam... They've rang us and a few of my friends a few times.

what do they do though im curious"

We've had this a few times, the guy sounded genuinely upset when we told him we weren't stupid enough to fall for such a blatant scam...rang off sharpish once we mentioned criminal activity and the police...I don't know if it's possible for them to gain remote access to your computer if you give them permission or to get you to reveal passwords or personal details...you did the right thing...how could a random stranger ringing you out of the blue know what is going on in your computer?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

My Mum rang me as soon as she'd finished the call and I told her to turn her PC off at once and went round to sort it out. The guy rang while we were there asking her to turn it back on.......I spoke to him......I don't think he expected that.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *exy panther 1974Woman
over a year ago

Anywhere and everywhere

There is also a scam that going round, where you switch on your computer and is a message from metro police, saying you have downloaded or looked at illegal content, if you pay ex amount of money they will lift the restriction, caused a big row between my friends that had happened to, I told them to ring the police coz if you being doing anything illegal they aren't gonna let you know.

They eventually rang police and it's a big scam that lot of people are fooling for coz watched porn etc without partners knowledge n want message gone xxxxx

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *B9 QueenWoman
over a year ago

Over the rainbow, under the bridge

Next time, say 'yes ok', pretend to switch on your pc, be as adamant as they are. Take your time - to waste theirs. Be polite, friendly and compliant and sound really puzzled and confused as to why they cannot access your computer as your service provider usually has no trouble.

If you have the time, anyway.

Scamming the scammers. Whilst they are busy with you they can't scam anyone else.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *uby0000 OP Woman
over a year ago

hertfordshire

phew thanks guys I am so glad I did not fall for it .. in fact she just rang again .. even though I told her I was out all morning doh .. hubby answered and told her to piss off

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"just had a call from some woman telling me I have an error code on my laptop and please turn it on and she would guide me through what I should do

seemed adamant I had to switch it on now didn't ring right to me so I told her I was going out but she was so persistant

what do you reckon? ive had no error on it and I told her I would not be switching my pc on for her

did I do right? what do you think it was about?"

Yes you did absolutely the right thing. What basically happens is they talk you to open up 'remote control' they control the PC/Laptop to sort out the problem, but install other programs that will certainly harm your usage of the PC.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

...I don't know if it's possible for them to gain remote access to your computer if you give them permission or to get you to reveal passwords or personal details...you did the right thing...how could a random stranger ringing you out of the blue know what is going on in your computer?"

Yes it is possible to gain remote access I forget names but there is software available most IT services departments use it. The reason they ring you is because they need your permission and you need to install it. Some say they're from Microsoft and someone like my Mum who doesn't understand about computers will believe that it is. What some of them do is keep pinging your modem that slows your computer down and eventually that reveals certain information they then ring asking if your computer has slowed down and take it from there.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

No software needs to be installed to gain remote access to your PC/Laptop, windows has remote desktop assistance built in and if this service is activated ( usually on by default ) all they need is your IP address and you to allow them access.

What any scammer will be after is bank details or personal data for identity cloning or taking money from your accounts.

Basically if you feel uneasy about something DONT give them any details or allow access.

The metro police warning is called the Ukash virus and pretty nasty too.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *uby0000 OP Woman
over a year ago

hertfordshire

what is wrong with people scamming? sick

I am grateful to all of you that replied I knew something was not right

my mum fell for a scam a while back where she had a delivery she hadn't ordered anything ... turned out to be a dyson and then someone knocked and said it was a mistake and he would take it back to the catalogue company then they got a bill for it police said it turned out the van was following the delivery driver an account had been opened in my dads name she was really upset about it

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"just had a call from some woman telling me I have an error code on my laptop and please turn it on and she would guide me through what I should do

seemed adamant I had to switch it on now didn't ring right to me so I told her I was going out but she was so persistant

what do you reckon? ive had no error on it and I told her I would not be switching my pc on for her

did I do right? what do you think it was about?"

I have had one of these calls too, I asked her for her number so I could call her back she soon hung up!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *uby0000 OP Woman
over a year ago

hertfordshire

I feel so much better about it now thanks again everyone

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

Teamviewer was the name of the software installed on my parents PC. Luckily Mr N knows what he's about and sorted it out.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *uby0000 OP Woman
over a year ago

hertfordshire

"Teamviewer was the name of the software installed on my parents PC. Luckily Mr N knows what he's about and sorted it out.

thank goodness for that

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

"I feel so much better about it now thanks again everyone"

You're welcome, these people are preying in others and are virtually impossible to trace, my Mum was very frightened and worried that they knew where she lived and would come and best them up.....utter bastards.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ophieslutTV/TS
over a year ago

Central

There has been a huge number of scams with pc advisers phoning people, usually pretending they are from microsoft. Aim to get you to pay for service and your money disappears. I always tell callers we are with telephone preference service and to erase the no from their database. Same with doorstep callers, I have zero time for them or street charity sales staff trying to get you to sign for donations. Keep your anti virus updated, run malware scans and install a firewall and your protection will be strong. And brush off any callers firmly.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Just remember if you had a problem you would be calling for help.

Not the other way round.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

"Just remember if you had a problem you would be calling for help.

Not the other way round.

These people usually call from outside the uk. We tracked the IP address of the guy who called my Mum to Paris.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

[Removed by poster at 01/02/14 11:10:04]

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

After it had died down a bit we had a conversation with my parents about giving information out on the net or the phone. They are in their eighties and used to people in authority being who they say they are and when we said never give your pin number to anyone my dad replied "but if the bank rings up you have to". This is what these people play on

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I work on line and if I have a problem tech support from work can take over my pc and fix the problem, they just need me to follow a few simple instructions ( over the phone ) and then they have complete access to my pc.

if you are ever in doubt, ask for callers phone number and say you will ring them back, if its a scam they wont give you any info.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *rightonsteveMan
over a year ago

Brighton - even Hove!

Years ago I had a long conversation about having double glazing installed and a new conservatory. It was only after I'd told the guy I was unemployed and renting on housing benefit did he ring off very angry. Wasted 15 minutes of my life.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *rnortholtMan
over a year ago

Waveney Valley

"Next time, say 'yes ok', pretend to switch on your pc, be as adamant as they are. Take your time - to waste theirs. Be polite, friendly and compliant and sound really puzzled and confused as to why they cannot access your computer as your service provider usually has no trouble.

If you have the time, anyway.

Scamming the scammers. Whilst they are busy withyou they can't scam anyone else."

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *rencherMan
over a year ago

Derby

I've had the "there is something wrong with your PC" call a few times...I just go along with them for a few minutes then say a large warning message has popped up on my computer screen....when they ask what it says I reply with....

"an idiot will ring you up and waste your time trying to convince you there is something wrong with your computer....."

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

If they ring again say "the police are now monitoring this call" thank you for calling.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Obviously wanted to perv your pics

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *uby0000 OP Woman
over a year ago

hertfordshire

"Years ago I had a long conversation about having double glazing installed and a new conservatory. It was only after I'd told the guy I was unemployed and renting on housing benefit did he ring off very angry. Wasted 15 minutes of my life.

i had that with changing fuel providers ..I let him go through it and then said I didn't want to change.. he was really abusive and asked why I let him keep going... to which I replied ..well I thought id get you earning your money bye

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ugby 123Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

O o O oo

"what is wrong with people scamming? sick

I am grateful to all of you that replied I knew something was not right

Now thats a crafty one, cheeky sods

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *uby0000 OP Woman
over a year ago

hertfordshire

"I've had the "there is something wrong with your PC" call a few times...I just go along with them for a few minutes then say a large warning message has popped up on my computer screen....when they ask what it says I reply with....

"an idiot will ring you up and waste your time trying to convince you there is something wrong with your

computer....."

love it lol

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

100% scam

They would of guided you to remote access and completely controlled you computer and it info.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Woman called and tried to sell me a stair lift, I listened and she asked if a rep could call, I said certainly on Sunday, she said she would have to find a rep who could come on a Sunday, He arrived, looked around in surprise and said, Why do you want a stair lift in a bungalow, I said I don't but the woman who called said it would make my life easier!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *uby0000 OP Woman
over a year ago

hertfordshire

had one the other day who said id indicated id had a car accident when driving my car and I could claim for injuries

let her go on and on then told her BTW I don't drive!!!!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Happened to me a few times now I tell them I work for Microsoft they soon leave alone

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ugby 123Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

O o O oo

"an idiot will ring you up and waste your time trying to convince you there is something wrong with your computer....."

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *elsh n wildCouple
over a year ago

Cardiff area

I would say I don't have a laptop so your wrong

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"It's a well known scam... They've rang us and a few of my friends a few times.

what do they do though im curious

in most cases you have to give them access, but sometimes if the system is not updated and there is no anti virus etc its possible.

these are normal scams these days, no one should call you about computer problems unless you have some sort of support contract.

report number they called from so it can be blocked.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Ditto it's one of the oldest ones in the book. Ask them if they'd provide you with the account details so you can give them a reward for helping then post it on the Internet

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *uby0000 OP Woman
over a year ago

hertfordshire

there should be some way to put all these scams on the internet to make everyone aware .. only way I can see to stop them

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Woman called and tried to sell me a stair lift, I listened and she asked if a rep could call, I said certainly on Sunday, she said she would have to find a rep who could come on a Sunday, He arrived, looked around in surprise and said, Why do you want a stair lift in a bungalow, I said I don't but the woman who called said it would make my life easier!"

Nearly spat my tea out laughing at that!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *otTheReal01Man
over a year ago

London

If you have the time, anyway.

Scamming the scammers. Whilst they are busy with you they can't scam anyone else."

You should check out the photos in the hall of shame on the 419eaters.com scambaiter site. Hilarious and I think you'd appreciate it.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *uby0000 OP Woman
over a year ago

hertfordshire

If you have the time, anyway.

Scamming the scammers. Whilst they are busy with you they can't scam anyone else.

You should check out the photos in the hall of shame on the 419eaters.com scambaiter site. Hilarious and I think you'd appreciate it."

is that a scam? lol

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *otTheReal01Man
over a year ago

London

Heh heh, no it's a site dedicated to scambaiters. That is people who purposefully waste the time of scammers.

They have a hall of shame where they've gotten scammers to send pictures holding up signs saying hilarious shit to prove they're genuine.

The emails the scammers send (the you've just won $20,000,000 ones) are called 419's because I think it's the code for fraud in the Nigerian criminal justice system or something like that.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *uby0000 OP Woman
over a year ago

hertfordshire

"Heh heh, no it's a site dedicated to scambaiters. That is people who purposefully waste the time of scammers.

They have a hall of shame where they've gotten scammers to send pictures holding up signs saying hilarious shit to prove they're genuine.

reminds me absolutely years ago I had a soldier in afghanastan who turned out to be a Nigerian scammer I never fell for it but can see how people do ..especially if single and lonely

they always ask to go on yahoo and he used to leave messages like on patrol.... in the radar room ... yeah right

The emails the scammers send (the you've just won $20,000,000 ones) are called 419's because I think it's the code for fraud in the Nigerian criminal justice system or something like that."

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *randmrsminxyCouple
over a year ago

Gloucester

This scam allows them to access your computer and your personnel date ie bank acounts ect . They lock you out and plunder away . you dont know until its to late . Oh and because you have given them permission its hard to get your lost funds back as your deemed to have given accsess .

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *riskynriskyCouple
over a year ago

Essex.

We've had two different scams tried on us.

In one they phone you and say you have won something. They give you your name and address, tell you what credit/debit card you have used and all you need to do to get your prize is give them the 3 numbers off the back of the card. This proves to them that you are who you say you are and have possession of the card....

In the second you receive a pre - recorded message telling you that you have won an all inclusive holiday etc. Please press 9 to continue. This then dials an off shore number and you get a £££ bill...

A reputable company/bank will not email or ring you asking for pin or card security numbers...

If in doubt hang up....

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *uby0000 OP Woman
over a year ago

hertfordshire

fraud and stealing cos that's what it is and now im insulted that she thought id fall for it

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

Nearly spat my tea out laughing at that!

I can understand doing this to scammers but not to people who in difficult economic times are doing a job of work

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"It's a well known scam... They've rang us and a few of my friends a few times.

what do they do though im curious

Bastards

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

"fraud and stealing cos that's what it is and now im insulted that she thought id fall for it"

You should be proud that you didn't. The reason these people keep on doing it is because they are successful and lots of people do get taken in. scams and con artists are successful because they're plausible.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

"It's a well known scam... They've rang us and a few of my friends a few times.

what do they do though im curious

Bastards

Yes that's what I said. I'm not a violent person but if he had been in the room after I had to hold her in my arms crying and afraid I think I would have inflicted grave damage on him with my bare hands.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *uby0000 OP Woman
over a year ago

hertfordshire

"It's a well known scam... They've rang us and a few of my friends a few times.

what do they do though im curious

Bastards

know what you mean my mum couldn't believe people would stoop that low and they know the elderly are a good target

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"just had a call from some woman telling me I have an error code on my laptop and please turn it on and she would guide me through what I should do

seemed adamant I had to switch it on now didn't ring right to me so I told her I was going out but she was so persistant

what do you reckon? ive had no error on it and I told her I would not be switching my pc on for her

did I do right? what do you think it was about?"

It is a massive scam. The usual patter is that they are from "Windows". They have found a really serious problem on your PC/laptop etc. As you say, they then ask, persistently, to be able to look at the files on your computer. They then charge you to fix the so called issue. Its all bollocks , excuse my language. They are chances. Last time they did it to me, I let them think I was really concerned, then I told them how strange it was, as I use an AppleMac. ..... Pause, then they hung up. These people are scum. I have also had emails from my basnk , telling me that for security reasons I needed to give them my details. Yeah right !!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"well we use two ways .. I have no computer I tell them ..or lead them on whilst making the tea.. pretend you are doing all the things they tell you without giving any info out.

personally I love messing with them

scam"

Me to ! I enjoy it. I have several time wasting approaches.I either pretend to be incredibly green when it comes to PC's ( not that I'm an expert), and get them to explain what to do time and time again, or I let them drone on for ages then tell them it's strange as I don't have an internet connection. Sometimes I just tell them they are full of crap, ask don't own a PC. They actually tried it on with a very old aunt of mine. The poor old girl thought she had problems with her glazing, when he kept on about windows. Priceless !!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *uby0000 OP Woman
over a year ago

hertfordshire

I knew about the bank email scams ..I belong to my neighbourhood watch scheme linked to the police maybe I should email them and let them know about this scam?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *uby0000 OP Woman
over a year ago

hertfordshire

"well we use two ways .. I have no computer I tell them ..or lead them on whilst making the tea.. pretend you are doing all the things they tell you without giving any info out.

personally I love messing with them

scam

love it!!! too funny lol

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Google something like "pc remote access scam", there is plenty of information online about these scams.

Do register with the telephone preference service and the fax preference service but bear in mind that these will only stop reputable companies ringing, not scammers.

The key thing to remember always is that someone rings you out of the blue then NEVER give them ANY important information. If it really is your bank then hang up and ring them back on the number you ALREADY have for them.

I recommend using a call blocker that plugs between your wall socket and phone. They come with known scam numbers preprogrammed in and can also be set to block certain types of call such as international calls and withheld numbers. If a scammer gets through that then there is a "block now" button you can press to add the number to the blocked list. Any call that is blocked does not even make your phone ring. I used to get scam and PPI calls several times a week but now maybe one PPI in 3 months and that is now blocked and reported too

If you get PPI, scam calls, silent calls, etc. you can report them. All the info you need is on the OFCOM website here: http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/tell-us/telecoms/privacy/

Simply googling any suspicious phone number can be useful. There are a number of websites that have discussion threads where people have found out all the info about the companies involved.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

Post new Message to Thread