Okay, earlier tonight we had a strange number cal us. My dad talked to him, but still it caused me to panic a little. This guy saying he’s from Microsoft and he’s calling because we supposedly have a virus on one of our computers (he didn’t specify which, I doubt he knew have more than one)…and it’s sending them information. Red alert.
Okay, unless your the owner of Microsoft I highly doubt Microsoft would call you if you had a virus on your computer…if I had to take odds I’d say they’d avoid your computer like a plague because they wouldn’t want the virus spreading onto their systems. We said we weren’t interested in anything they had to have to offer. So now I’m worry my computer has been hacked and information is spreading. I’m running my Anti-virus and am debating switching passwords to most used even though it’s a hard password and fairly new.
I doubled checked and read online that Microsoft will never call you. It’s one of those company’s that you call and probably have to go through a dozen robotic prompts before you ever get a human on the line to begin with…and then when you do get one you’re on hold for 30 minutes…(Yeah I’ve been through a few of them). How would a company as large as Microsoft be able to keep tabs on every Window’s PC user out there? I’m sure it could be possible, but the odds would be slightly mind-blowing at least to me…not to mention the other Microsoft branch company’s like X-Box, or their window’s tablets, and phones.
I have one thing to think about this unless you call them never ever give your information over the phone. No credit-card numbers, no pass-words, no e-mails, nothing. In fact I would even say if you’re lucky enough to have one near you, don’t even bother calling Microsoft and talking to someone over the phone go to your nearest computer repair center and have them fix it for you. When in doubt, (and it includes things like your bank account) main rule of thumb is to shut your mouth.
Now I have to fight this uneasy feeling that my personal information is being sold over the internet…great feeling to have before bedtime.
You don’t have to keep talking to them they are people who just wanna scam you.
Unless you gave him any information about your computer your safe. Mainly they will ask for specific codes that’s what they use to hack into your computer. If you just mention what type of computer you have you are safe. They trigger my paranoia, anxiety and anger also.
Even if the phone company rings me up I wont give any information. But will ask them if I can ring back. No matter the answer. I will ring back on the phone books number and go through the official channels to curb my paranoia or make an complaint so that they can deal with it.
We hung up on them not accepting anything they were selling it just made me highly paranoid tonight.We didn’t tell them anything about our computers, not even e-mail addresses.
2 Likes
Best thing to do. Remember to breathe it helps with the anxiety.
2 Likes
I’m on edge today anyway because of monthly harmornal changes happening right now but you’re right. I found this one CD on Spotify that really helps me relax. I think I’m going to go find it and listen to it: The Supreme Heart of Shiva: Om Namah Shivaya & Chanting Om from Music for Deep mediation.
1 Like
Had to add. Right after I always worry about those who do fall for the scams. You know the little old lady who lives alone and knows very little about computers.
I worry about them too. I hate how scammer’s will go after vulnerable people like that. How do they sleep with themselves at night?
1 Like
You did good to trust your instincts and not trust that company. When I got my first computer I fell for a scam that at the time seemed legit. I see the same scam now and it is so obviously fake to me. I got a call about two weeks ago from a scammer who wanted my computers password. But my first clue that something was wrong was actually kind of amusing in a twisted way. Every time I call tech support I get indian guys. And they are unbelievable control freaks. This scammer was indian but he was hesitant and did not try to control the conversation. It raised my suspicions. My second clue was when he asked me about what sites I visit. The way he phrased it was odd. Then he wanted to, disable my anti-virus and install HIS product. Another clue. He showed his true colors when he told me i could make my computer faster, get rid of the virus if I purchae his product for a year for $200.00. My suspicions were already raised. I told him I would think about it and call him later because I had to be somewhere and that i would think about it. He told me that’s OK. If I just gave him my password then he would work on my computer while I was gone. I said I had to think about it and he started to pressure me.I had had enough. Too many red flags. I told him forget it. But even looking back I can see this was a sophisticated scam.
My rule for knowing if someone is legit or a scammer?
Ask yourself this, did I call them?
or did they call me?
If you called them, meaning you wanted/needed a service/product and did a bit of research-okay, opened a phonebook/went online and searched, called and they answered, it’s a good bet they are more than likely legit.
Beware though, of all people you don’t know, and make them earn your trust.
Now, if they called You, it pretty safe to bet they are con artists trying to scam you.
Simply put, con artists seek out and size up their victims, they come to/call you, not the other way around.
You owe an unsolicited call/visit NOTHING!
Don’t give them your time, attention nor explanation, just tell them No Thanks, and hang up on them or shut the door on them.
Keep it simple and brief, NO Thanks is all you need to do, and if they don’t go away, the door in their face or disconnected call finishes it.
1 Like
Now just as I was calming down, my anti-virus picked up 4 malicious threats. It’s still running but I removed all the threats through my anti-virus. I wonder if they came from the caller, or just random bad luck. I think I’m going to shut the monitor off for a while and let my anti-virus run and just lay down and try and relax.
Just in case I backed up my important files…that have changed since my last backup. That’s about all I can do right now. If I have any problems though not going to call tech. there’s a place not too far from me that works on computers and I’ll take it there and have them look at it.
hey,
It’s a common scam! I usually just tell them I run an apple computer…they usually just hang up! It’s good to do that now but when psychotic or experiencing symptoms that would have fed my thoughts to no end so can appreciate your concerns but two things!
Reality check…what do you think really could be the answer? America is so big that they can’t possibly ( even with a New York sized supercomputer bank ) , monitor anything anywhere about your computer etc…and what is plausible…
If you can say…I could be worrying too much then good…take the meds…mind will improve…meantime I agree…keep it all really, really simple…and keep the input as low as you can…ie …don’t go thinking too much about much!
A friend in the struggle,
rogueone.
1 Like
I had this happen to me once. Since most homes have a computer… Unless you allow them to dial into your computer then they do not have access to it.