Phone call scam
I am the gullible one who has possibly gone too far with the Indian phone call. As I was using my laptop at the time it was too easy to believe.Although I was getting suspicious, I actually entered a code provided by caller, to allow "technician" to advise by online chat. Then I stopped. I am concerned that this could have infected my system, XP Pro. I have provisionally restored system to a date before the call. Is this sufficient, or should I re install XP from scratch? Also what is the risk of my main computer, running 7 and not in use at the time being affected?What other remedial measures should I take?What extra precautions should I take with regard to online banking?Any advice very much appreciated.Reynard 99
March 1st, 2010 7:28pm

These are Vista forums. XP Forums: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/windowsxp Above link is to XP Forums.There is a list of the various XP Forums at above link to help you. You will get the assistance that you need there.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For any Windows 7 questions:http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/windows7 Above link is to Windows 7 Forums, for questions about Windows 7.All Windows 7 questions should be directed there.You are in Vista Forums.Cheers. Mick Murphy - Microsoft Partner
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March 1st, 2010 9:33pm

Restoring the system to a date before the call will remove all executable code installed after the date of the restore point. That should be sufficient. What other testing have you done? You have antivirus installed, and kept up to date on definitions, correct? Scan the full system with that antivirus, and see what is found. Don't worry too much if things are found in email stores, for example--full scans often find things left lying around or never invoked from ancient infection attempts. Clean up anything that is found, and report back how that went. I'm not clear exactly what happened from your description--did you actually install code on your system? "Reynard 99" wrote in message news:6ed2b99c-20ff-468b-a69b-aec78b93f287...I am the gullible one who has possibly gone too far with the Indian phone call. As I was using my laptop at the time it was too easy to believe.Although I was getting suspicious, I actually entered a code provided by caller, to allow "technician" to advise by online chat. Then I stopped. I am concerned that this could have infected my system, XP Pro. I have provisionally restored system to a date before the call. Is this sufficient, or should I re install XP from scratch? Also what is the risk of my main computer, running 7 and not in use at the time being affected?What other remedial measures should I take?What extra precautions should I take with regard to online banking?Any advice very much appreciated.Reynard 99 Bill Sanderson
March 2nd, 2010 3:40am

Thanks Mick, will explore XP forums as suggested.Reynard 99
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March 2nd, 2010 6:34pm

Thanks for reply Bill,Have run Microsoft Security Essentials, Microsoft Malicious removal tool, Advanced windows care, AVG. In process of running Eset and Prevxx.So far no problems have shown up.As far as installing code is concerned. I was instructed to enter www.logmein.com, then enter a code to allow technician to be able to assess the "problems on my computer". Unfortunately I went with it as far as that but baulked at paying £210 for three years cover, and terminated the call.Will let you know result of final two scans when completed.Can you say: if my other computer is safe?Reynard 99
March 2nd, 2010 6:50pm

I'm not sure what the sequence of activity would be with logmein--but this service itself is safe, if you are dealing with a trusted person or company. In your case, you did not think so, in the end.It sounds as though no actual connection was, in fact made.If I am recalling your query, the other machine was not in use during this event. In that case, there's no possible infection mechanism--it would have needed to be on and connected to the same network, or, if turned on later, for both machines to be connected to a common server or file storage device of some sort.I think you made the right choice--but it isn't clear to me whether the call was truly malicious, or just avaricious (I.e. they were after the money)In any case, the actions you've taken seem sufficient to me -- I think you're clean. If you want, run a full scan with Microsoft Security Essentials on the other machine as well--but don't be too surprised if it finds some odds and ends in mail stores and the like."Reynard 99" wrote in message news:f60731af-7225-4e4d-b0c1-c2422d88d7e4...Thanks for reply Bill,Have run Microsoft Security Essentials, Microsoft Malicious removal tool, Advanced windows care, AVG. In process of running Eset and Prevxx.So far no problems have shown up.As far as installing code is concerned. I was instructed to enter www.logmein.com, then enter a code to allow technician to be able to assess the "problems on my computer". Unfortunately I went with it as far as that but baulked at paying 210 for three years cover, and terminated the call.Will let you know result of final two scans when completed.Can you say: if my other computer is safe?Reynard 99 Bill Sanderson
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March 2nd, 2010 9:01pm

Hi, I am curious. I too received a call from the subcontinent. I pretended to follow the steps but actually turned off the network connection. The voice, from "advance Support" reportedly was subcontracted to "windows" (not microsoft) and warned me, as a windows customer, that the "software security layer" had expired. Immediate action was required. i asked a few questions and the phone connection was terminated. Was this the same modus operandi as your own scam? Peter
March 30th, 2010 3:31pm

This sneaky criminal practice is known as phone phishing: Phishing Phone Calls - " Your computer has a virus " BEWARE - Users have been reporting they have received phone calls, some claiming to be from "Microsoft", telling them that that their computers are infected. The caller asks the User if they are online and if their computers are performing slowly. If their computers are not running, they will ask the User to boot the system and report on the start up time or, if the system is running and online, they will tell the User that a tech can take over control of it and clean a "virus infection". This is a scam !!! If you happen to receive one of these phone calls ask the caller for the name of the company, where they are located, and their phone number. Then hang up and report this to: IC3 (internet crime) The Local FBI Office ( if you're in the US) Microsoft will never , repeat, NEVER , cold call people who use Windows. NEVER !!! Do not fall for this latest scam. NEVER allow strangers to take over your computer. NEVER !!! Here's a thread from a Microsoft forum where a User fell to this scam : Phone Call From Someone claiming I have a Virus If you have not called any tech support center for assistance then NEVER allow anyone who calls you unsolicited to take over control of your computer ! MowGreen Update Services - Consumer Security
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March 30th, 2010 10:47pm

I KNEW this was deeply suspicious and yet I too fell for it although I am hoping that they have not been able to have access to my computer as they had me open up "Run" and asked me to do a rough count of the number of red warning messages - I put the phone down to count and they must have got bored and hung up as it took me several minutes to count. what a dumbo! Why didn't I trust my instincts? I am assuming they could not access my PC remotely without me putting a code in to allow a technician to access it?
September 6th, 2010 6:52pm

Hi, Fletch007.Yes, you are correct. They were not able to access your computer. If they call again and you are in the U.S. follow the instructions provided above by Mow Green. If you are located in the U.K. please report the information tohttp://www.actionfraud.org.uk/ . As shown in the article linked below, the Metropolitan Police in the U.K. have been actively investigating this type of fraud. A police crackdown has led to the closure of several websites linked to a scam offering unnecessary PC ‘support’.The Metropolitan police force’s Police Central e-crime Unit (PCeCU) closed 19 websites linked to the scam in April. This action was taken because of the belief that offences were being carried out under the Fraud Act.Despite this action, the fraudsters continue to plague consumers. Emails from readers show many other sites offering dubious computer support are still active, or being created. The evidence that we have gained clearly shows fraudulent activity.Victims of the scam receive a cold call from India. The callers say they have been alerted to the fact that the person’s PC has been infected with malicious software. For more details of how the scam works, see the story on page 2 of this article. Our latest investigation into this ongoing scam started when a member of our team received such a call at home from a company calling itself Click2support, which claimed to be a department of Microsoft.On subsequent calls that we recorded, our undercover reporter paid £89 for security software from this company, which Click2support said was worth £300. See the complete article at Police close in on PC support fraudsters . Corrine, Microsoft MVP (Consumer Security). This posting is my opinion and does not necessarily reflect the opinion or view of Microsoft, its employees, or other MVPs and is provided without warranty and confers no rights.
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September 7th, 2010 1:14am

I have recently recieved my fifth phone scam call. (I am a window's tech and you have problems with your computer) I am not in anyway racist but the guy sounded like he was from India and as I can be such a sweetheart he gave me a phone number when I told him I would have to call him back. Thought you might like it. Incidentally I live in Australia on the sunshine coast at Buderim. The phone number he gave me is (07) 5641 2259. I am lucky in the fact that the computer I am using is actually a friends so not registered with Microsoft in my name and these idiots who have called me always ask for me personally. I have to admit on the first call they were so convincing I actually believed them and they obviously with my help gained remote access to this computer as I wasn't able to get in contact with my friend who's computer it is. Once they had access to the computer they told me I had to pay (from memory) $270.00 at that point as I had no way of paying that sort of money I became suspicious and disconnected the computer from the power for the weekend as my friend wasn't due back till the monday. Apparently in that time an article was published in the newspaper about "phone call's from window's not true - fraud"I hope the phone number helps because while I have the failsafe of them asking for me knowing the computer isnt in my name I know they were so convincing on that first call that there must be a lot of people out there being ripped off.Hope I've helped. Phone if you need to clarify anything on 5452 6429. Kerri Dale.
November 18th, 2010 7:45am

Hi Michael,These calls seems to be coming from:Dosh Global Pvt. Ltd207, Shreepal Complex, 2nd Floor, Sunder Rd, Next to Cinemax, Andheri (East),Mumbai, Maharashtra 400093, India+919022463639
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November 19th, 2010 7:28am

hisome usefull linkshttp://blogs.msdn.com/b/securitytipstalk/archive/2010/03/09/don-t-fall-for-phony-phone-tech-support.aspxhttp://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistasecurity/thread/4489f388-d6de-416d-9158-0079764bb001/ have a nice dayScan with OneCare +Support ENDING for windows Vista & XP ! + Plagued by the Privacy Center? REMOVE IT + Threat Research & Response Blog + Sysinternals Live tools + TRANSLATOR + Photosynth + Microsoft Security + Microsoft SUPPORT +PIVOT from Live Labs + Microsoft Live Labs + Get OFFICE 2010 FREE ! + Windows LIVE !
December 22nd, 2010 7:02pm

I am sure you are not gullible. I thank you though for making me realise that sometimes when pre-occupied by our lives we can make decisions we wouldn't normally make. After the fact I couldn't believe I had fallen for it but as I am sure you realise when they catch you off guard and you have other things on your mind it really is easy for them to do. So far I have not found any real problems after "letting them in". I do have issues with losing internet contact but I have also had numerous electrical issues due to damage by the floods in qld at present. Please dont (like me) feel like an idiot. These people are obviously very good at what they do so dont doubt yourself cause I know I have and it isn't good for us. Best luck in the future. Kerri
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January 31st, 2011 1:16am

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