Several times, recently, I have had a telephone caller using poor
English trying to persuade me to go through a 10 minute series of tests
on my home computer.

He purports to represent the Windows maintenance team and have got my
phone number from Microsoft! The lure is that my m/c may have been
infected with something nasty.

I assume this is some sort of phishing scam but am I alone or is this a
common event? Presumably my service provider would be involved if this
m/c had been infected?

Also, his last call has not disconnected or our phone line is
coincidentally out of order!

regards
--
Tim Lamb

On 28/08/2010 16:33, Tim Lamb wrote:
Several times, recently, I have had a telephone caller using poor
English trying to persuade me to go through a 10 minute series of tests
on my home computer.

Bet these tests involve you looking at the event viewer and seeing lots
of error messages.

am I alone or is this a common event?

You are not alone my M-I-L received this 'phone call and she doesn't
even have a computer. There are lots of reports of this type of scam.
it has even made the computer press.
www.computeractive.co.uk/2266990

Tim Lamb wrote:
Several times, recently, I have had a telephone caller using poor
English trying to persuade me to go through a 10 minute series of
tests on my home computer.

He purports to represent the Windows maintenance team and have got my
phone number from Microsoft! The lure is that my m/c may have been
infected with something nasty.

I assume this is some sort of phishing scam but am I alone or is this
a common event? Presumably my service provider would be involved if
this m/c had been infected?

Also, his last call has not disconnected or our phone line is
coincidentally out of order!

No, you're very much not alone. We've had six of these calls recently (we're
registered with TPS but it does no good). It is a scam - from what I've read
it seems that if you fall for it, they get you to accept a download that
gives them remote access (bad enough on its own), they then say that they've
cleaned your machine and they charge your credit card to the tune of abouit
£150.

I just keep telling them that I don't have a computer but it's not stopped
them yet.

In message , Pete Zahut
writes
Tim Lamb wrote:
Several times, recently, I have had a telephone caller using poor
English trying to persuade me to go through a 10 minute series of
tests on my home computer.

He purports to represent the Windows maintenance team and have got my
phone number from Microsoft! The lure is that my m/c may have been
infected with something nasty.

I assume this is some sort of phishing scam but am I alone or is this
a common event? Presumably my service provider would be involved if
this m/c had been infected?

Also, his last call has not disconnected or our phone line is
coincidentally out of order!

No, you're very much not alone. We've had six of these calls recently (we're
registered with TPS but it does no good). It is a scam - from what I've read
it seems that if you fall for it, they get you to accept a download that
gives them remote access (bad enough on its own), they then say that they've
cleaned your machine and they charge your credit card to the tune of abouit
£150.

I just keep telling them that I don't have a computer but it's not stopped
them yet.

This is my 4th. call.

Thanks.



--
Tim Lamb

In message , Tim
Streater writes
In article ,
"Pete Zahut" wrote:

Tim Lamb wrote:
Several times, recently, I have had a telephone caller using poor
English trying to persuade me to go through a 10 minute series of
tests on my home computer.

He purports to represent the Windows maintenance team and have got my
phone number from Microsoft! The lure is that my m/c may have been
infected with something nasty.

I assume this is some sort of phishing scam but am I alone or is this
a common event? Presumably my service provider would be involved if
this m/c had been infected?

Also, his last call has not disconnected or our phone line is
coincidentally out of order!
No, you're very much not alone. We've had six of these calls
recently (we're registered with TPS but it does no good). It is a
scam - from what I've read it seems that if you fall for it, they get
you to accept a download that gives them remote access (bad enough on
its own), they then say that they've cleaned your machine and they
charge your credit card to the tune of abouit 0 I just keep telling them that I don't have a computer but it's not
stopped them yet.

In my case I'd be asking "What is Microsoft, do they make ice-cream?"
and "What is Windows and why would I be wanting to run that on my
Macintosh?".

And more particularly, what is a virus, never heard of that before
either.

Excellent.

Reporting a BT line fault using a mobile is painful. Their automated
system doesn't seem able to read the key tones:-(

regards


--
Tim Lamb

In message J9aeo.69200$N5.48984@hurricane, soup
writes
On 28/08/2010 16:33, Tim Lamb wrote:
Several times, recently, I have had a telephone caller using poor
English trying to persuade me to go through a 10 minute series of tests
on my home computer.

Bet these tests involve you looking at the event viewer and seeing lots
of error messages.

am I alone or is this a common event?

You are not alone my M-I-L received this 'phone call and she doesn't
even have a computer. There are lots of reports of this type of scam.
it has even made the computer press.
www.computeractive.co.uk/2266990

That the one!

Thanks.


--
Tim Lamb

On Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:39:32 +0100, Tim Lamb wrote:

Reporting a BT line fault using a mobile is painful. Their automated
system doesn't seem able to read the key tones:-(

BT seem to have brought in an "all new and improved" automatic fault
reporting thingy, pity it can't cope with ISDN lines as I discoverd
this afternoon... At least the web version quickly tells you in can't
cope, the dialup version takes a couple of minuets to decide it
can't. Ended up having to speak (shock horror!) to some one and even
they took nearly an hour to run the line test to confirm it's an
external cable fault.

--
Cheers
Dave.

"Tim Lamb" wrote in message
...
In message , Pete Zahut
writes
Tim Lamb wrote:
Several times, recently, I have had a telephone caller using poor
English trying to persuade me to go through a 10 minute series of
tests on my home computer.

He purports to represent the Windows maintenance team and have got my
phone number from Microsoft! The lure is that my m/c may have been
infected with something nasty.

I assume this is some sort of phishing scam but am I alone or is this
a common event? Presumably my service provider would be involved if
this m/c had been infected?

Also, his last call has not disconnected or our phone line is
coincidentally out of order!

No, you're very much not alone. We've had six of these calls recently
(we're
registered with TPS but it does no good). It is a scam - from what I've
read
it seems that if you fall for it, they get you to accept a download that
gives them remote access (bad enough on its own), they then say that
they've
cleaned your machine and they charge your credit card to the tune of
abouit
£150.

I just keep telling them that I don't have a computer but it's not stopped
them yet.

This is my 4th. call.

Thanks.


It is possible BT 'Chose to Refuse' may be your (expensive) friend.

Obviously Microsoft have better things to do with their time than cold
calling.
Although Oracle.......

--
No plan survives contact with the enemy.
[Not even bunny]

Helmuth von Moltke the Elder

(\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

On 28 Aug, 16:46, "Pete Zahut" wrote:
Tim Lamb wrote:
Several times, recently, I have had a telephone caller using poor
English trying to persuade me to go through a 10 minute series of
tests on my home computer.

He purports to represent the Windows maintenance team and have got my
phone number from Microsoft! The lure is that my m/c may have been
infected with something nasty.

I assume this is some sort of phishing scam but am I alone or is this
a common event? Presumably my service provider would be involved if
this m/c had been infected?

Also, his last call has not disconnected or our phone line is
coincidentally out of order!

No, you're very much not alone. We've had six of these calls recently (we're
registered with TPS but it does no good).


it won't - they're "indians" working through the perms and combs
probly with autodiallers.

Nearly got my dad a couple of months ago, they get a sniff and they
keep coming back until you tell em to do one/ask too many questions -
sneaky scumbags...

Jim K

"Tim Lamb" wrote in message
news
Several times, recently, I have had a telephone caller using poor English
trying to persuade me to go through a 10 minute series of tests on my home
computer.

He purports to represent the Windows maintenance team and have got my
phone number from Microsoft! The lure is that my m/c may have been
infected with something nasty.

I assume this is some sort of phishing scam but am I alone or is this a
common event? Presumably my service provider would be involved if this m/c
had been infected?


We get similar, except they call at the door and ask if we want our windows
'cleaning'. However, they only ask for £3.

Occasionally people come to the door and suggest our 'Drive' could do with
replacing, but we've turned them down so far.

OG wrote:
"Tim Lamb" wrote in message
news
Several times, recently, I have had a telephone caller using poor
English trying to persuade me to go through a 10 minute series of
tests on my home computer.

He purports to represent the Windows maintenance team and have got my
phone number from Microsoft! The lure is that my m/c may have been
infected with something nasty.

I assume this is some sort of phishing scam but am I alone or is
this a common event? Presumably my service provider would be
involved if this m/c had been infected?


We get similar, except they call at the door and ask if we want our
windows 'cleaning'. However, they only ask for £3.


It's not this fella is it??:
http://snipurl.com/10uijo


He's been here as well, tells me he won the TT races and the grand national


Occasionally people come to the door and suggest our 'Drive' could do
with replacing, but we've turned them down so far.



--
Phil L
RSRL Tipster Of The Year 2008

"Pete Zahut" wrote in message
...
Tim Lamb wrote:
Several times, recently, I have had a telephone caller using poor
English trying to persuade me to go through a 10 minute series of
tests on my home computer.

He purports to represent the Windows maintenance team and have got my
phone number from Microsoft! The lure is that my m/c may have been
infected with something nasty.

I assume this is some sort of phishing scam but am I alone or is this
a common event? Presumably my service provider would be involved if
this m/c had been infected?

Also, his last call has not disconnected or our phone line is
coincidentally out of order!

No, you're very much not alone. We've had six of these calls recently
(we're registered with TPS but it does no good). It is a scam - from what
I've read it seems that if you fall for it, they get you to accept a
download that gives them remote access (bad enough on its own), they then
say that they've cleaned your machine and they charge your credit card to
the tune of abouit £150.

I just keep telling them that I don't have a computer but it's not stopped
them yet.

Happiness is truecall shaped. ;-) http://www.truecall.co.uk/

No connection. Just a very satisfied customer.

Tim

"Tim Lamb" wrote in message
news
Several times, recently, I have had a telephone caller using poor English
trying to persuade me to go through a 10 minute series of tests on my home
computer.

He purports to represent the Windows maintenance team and have got my
phone number from Microsoft! The lure is that my m/c may have been
infected with something nasty.

I assume this is some sort of phishing scam but am I alone or is this a
common event? Presumably my service provider would be involved if this m/c
had been infected?

Also, his last call has not disconnected or our phone line is
coincidentally out of order!

regards
--
Tim Lamb


It is a very common scam.

If they haven't cleared the line try pressing your recall button, this will
give you a new (stuttered) dial tone. Hang up. Phone may ring again, if it
does ignore it and the original call will be force released.

Alternatively just hang up, but don't lift the receiver again for 10 minutes
this will also force release the incoming call. If you do lift the receiver
the timer gets reset and they can continue to occupy your line.

Peter

On Aug 28, 4:33*pm, Tim Lamb wrote:
Several times, recently, I have had a telephone caller using poor
English trying to persuade me to go through a 10 minute series of tests
on my home computer.

He purports to represent the Windows maintenance team and have got my
phone number from Microsoft! The lure is that my m/c may have been
infected with something nasty.

I assume this is some sort of phishing scam but am I alone or is this a
common event? Presumably my service provider would be involved if this
m/c had been infected?

Also, his last call has not disconnected or our phone line is
coincidentally out of order!

regards

The number of viruses affecting windows is now in 6 figures, yet I've
never heard of MS cold calling anyone about it.


NT

In message xeoeo.31363$Vh3.25301@hurricane, Peter Andrews
writes

"Tim Lamb" wrote in message
news
Several times, recently, I have had a telephone caller using poor English
trying to persuade me to go through a 10 minute series of tests on my home
computer.

He purports to represent the Windows maintenance team and have got my
phone number from Microsoft! The lure is that my m/c may have been
infected with something nasty.

I assume this is some sort of phishing scam but am I alone or is this a
common event? Presumably my service provider would be involved if this m/c
had been infected?

Also, his last call has not disconnected or our phone line is
coincidentally out of order!

regards
--
Tim Lamb


It is a very common scam.

If they haven't cleared the line try pressing your recall button, this will
give you a new (stuttered) dial tone. Hang up. Phone may ring again, if it
does ignore it and the original call will be force released.

Alternatively just hang up, but don't lift the receiver again for 10 minutes
this will also force release the incoming call. If you do lift the receiver
the timer gets reset and they can continue to occupy your line.

Tried both of those and plugging a phone directly to the incomer.
Nothing.

BT claim to have tested the line and found nothing wrong. Engineer
calling Wednesday.

Just coincidence I guess.

regards

--
Tim Lamb

On Aug 29, 8:57*am, Tabby wrote:
On Aug 28, 4:33*pm, Tim Lamb wrote:



Several times, recently, I have had a telephone caller using poor
English trying to persuade me to go through a 10 minute series of tests
on my home computer.

He purports to represent the Windows maintenance team and have got my
phone number from Microsoft! The lure is that my m/c may have been
infected with something nasty.

I assume this is some sort of phishing scam but am I alone or is this a
common event? Presumably my service provider would be involved if this
m/c had been infected?

Also, his last call has not disconnected or our phone line is
coincidentally out of order!

regards

The number of viruses affecting windows is now in 6 figures, yet I've
never heard of MS cold calling anyone about it.

NT

I've never had one in 10+ years. There are a lot of stupid people and
a lot of scrae mongering.

MBQ

On Aug 29, 6:48*pm, Tim Streater wrote:
In article
,
*"Man at B&Q" wrote:



On Aug 29, 8:57*am, Tabby wrote:
On Aug 28, 4:33*pm, Tim Lamb wrote:

Several times, recently, I have had a telephone caller using poor
English trying to persuade me to go through a 10 minute series of tests
on my home computer.

He purports to represent the Windows maintenance team and have got my
phone number from Microsoft! The lure is that my m/c may have been
infected with something nasty.

I assume this is some sort of phishing scam but am I alone or is this a
common event? Presumably my service provider would be involved if this
m/c had been infected?

Also, his last call has not disconnected or our phone line is
coincidentally out of order!

regards

The number of viruses affecting windows is now in 6 figures, yet I've
never heard of MS cold calling anyone about it.

NT

I've never had one in 10+ years. There are a lot of stupid people and
a lot of scrae mongering.

Are you running any anti-virus software?

No.

And can you define what it is
about the stupid people you refer to that makes them (in this context)
stupid?

Allowing their PCs to be infected from dodgy downloads and obvious
phishing e-mails.

MBQ