Last night I received a call - from India I believe - purporting to be from "Windows Service Department" - note, not "Microsoft services - indicating a problem with my PC. Apparently my PC was causing "Windows" a problem! The caller, while refusing to actually identify the issue, wanted me to open my computer by right clicking My Computer, and going to the Indexing Service Query Form part of the services and typing in something about WindowsXP. My suspicions, already very high, were not allayed with the caller's repeated refusal to identify the problem. Not being overly familiar with this part of the OS, I demanded to speak to his supervisor - who was similarly evasive. He then asked me the age of my PC and when I replied "..which part? The CPU, GPU, Hard Drive etc" he rang off. There was no call back. The more I thought about it, the more concerned I was. If my PC was causing "Windows" a problem (presumably through my internet connnection), why didn't they contact my ISP? They could clearly get my IP address if it was causing difficulties. No, it stank more than a little bit. Has anyone else had this and was I right not to play along with it? Further, if it was a bogus caller, what could they gain by pursuing this line of enquiry? I have researched this part of the OS on the web since then and still can't see their 'angle'! Any views anyone?1 person needs an answerI do too

This is a common scam that is going around. http://www.google.com/webhp?rls=ig#rls=ig&hl=en&source=hp&q=fake+tech+support+scam&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&fp=8a2d287fb7085e43MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

Many thanks Malkeleah. I knew something was fishy! I've alerted all my contacts about this scam.

Yes, it is fake call, if you recieved these calls , then please do NOT response them. Microsoft will NEVER call you unless you ask them to call you.

richthered,Had it just happen then. Pretty much as you explained - Bringing up 'Indexing Service Query Form' and being asked to enter something - can't remember exactly what but something something status. When error appeared they stated that computer was infected by asian viruses and that a service person would remove them for a fee of $151 for which then I told them to go to ____. Only real concern for me was that how in the ____ did they know I was online at that very moment. Was my computer infected by some spyware to indicate so and if it was transmitting information to them. Upon calling my NET provider they reasured it was just co-incidence. So if you receive any such call immediately hang up and feel if you are online at that time, that you are safe with no transmitted data being sent to them. Of course use a good security tool though.

Just had the same call - its a scam. I asked the caller to identify which company they represented and was told Windows Operating System. When asked if this was part of Microsoft he reverted back to Computer Services Department. When I asked again if he represented Microsoft he rang off. As far as I can tell they get your details out of the phone book and work on the basis most people they call will have a PC operating Windows.

You may also have a look at:http://cyberdefend.wordpress.com/2010/05/14/hello-i-am-from-microsoft/