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Fake microsoft "your computer is infected" call



 
 
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  #16  
Old November 14th 13, 02:52 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,misc.consumers,misc.consumers.frugal-living
Moe DeLoughan[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 17
Default Fake microsoft "your computer is infected" call

On 11/13/2013 6:53 PM, Metspitzer wrote:

I used to get so many calls from Cardholders Services, I was tempted
to have my phone disconnected. The strange thing is that the will
call using the same phone number more than once. I have bought a
phone that will let you block 30 phone numbers. Blocking the number
does help, but they call from other numbers too. I wish the phone
would let you block the name on the caller ID. They use more than one
caller ID, but they do use the same ones again.


The blocking seems to have slowed the calls down, but they still call.


That's because these scams are run by multiple independent operators.
It's not just one perp, it's a whole bunch of them. The way it works
is, somebody comes up with the scam and opens a boiler room operation.
Some of the people working the boiler room learn the ropes, realize
they can set up the same operation themselves, and they do so. So the
feds are engaged in a perpetual game of whack-a-mole - shut one
operation down, three more have already opened up.

Remember the contest the FTC held last year to find solutions to
telemarketers? One of the two winning proposals has gone operational.
It's called Nomorobo and is designed to deal with robocalls, which
make up a large percentage of unlawful telemarketing calls. If your
phone service provider is participating in the program, you can sign
up for it. It's free.

Here's an article about it:
http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/the-e...220537765.html

and here's the site to register your number:
http://www.nomorobo.com/
Ads
  #17  
Old November 14th 13, 04:37 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,misc.consumers,misc.consumers.frugal-living
(PeteCresswell)
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,933
Default Fake microsoft "your computer is infected" call

Per Mark F:
(Responding to various posts about scammers being off shore,
protected by VOIP, and cannot be traced effectively.):

So the NSA can't track them in real time and cause trouble for them
the next day if they are anywhere in the USA, Europe, India, and about
100 other countries?


I'm no lawyer, but it seems to me like they don't need the NSA.

I would think they could have a farm of honey pot phones where people
answer, comply with the caller until it gets down to money changing
hands, and then do the transaction with specially-issued credit cards
that serve as evidence once they find out where the recipient is.

Whatever the solution, it all costs money... and if the NSA got
involved, I'd call that a major slippery slope.

IMHO the real solution is challenge-response.

Frequent callers learn which key(s) to press so, if they're quick
enough, they never even hear the prompt. Everybody else gets the prompt
and the first wrong response either hangs up or flips to voicemail.

For home phones, that could be a box that the user buys and installs
between the POTS line and his phone system.

For cell phones, I'd think the service providers would have to come on
board - which might be a problem since every junk call racks up minutes
and revenue for them.
--
Pete Cresswell
  #18  
Old November 14th 13, 06:10 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,misc.consumers,misc.consumers.frugal-living
KenK
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Posts: 444
Default Fake microsoft "your computer is infected" call

"(PeteCresswell)" wrote in
:

Per Mark F:
(Responding to various posts about scammers being off shore,
protected by VOIP, and cannot be traced effectively.):

So the NSA can't track them in real time and cause trouble for them
the next day if they are anywhere in the USA, Europe, India, and about
100 other countries?


I'm no lawyer, but it seems to me like they don't need the NSA.

I would think they could have a farm of honey pot phones where people
answer, comply with the caller until it gets down to money changing
hands, and then do the transaction with specially-issued credit cards
that serve as evidence once they find out where the recipient is.

Whatever the solution, it all costs money... and if the NSA got
involved, I'd call that a major slippery slope.

IMHO the real solution is challenge-response.

Frequent callers learn which key(s) to press so, if they're quick
enough, they never even hear the prompt. Everybody else gets the

prompt
and the first wrong response either hangs up or flips to voicemail.

For home phones, that could be a box that the user buys and installs
between the POTS line and his phone system.

For cell phones, I'd think the service providers would have to come on
board - which might be a problem since every junk call racks up minutes
and revenue for them.


That sounds like the best idea yet. No computer on 24/7 required. I hope
someone makes one.


--
"Where there's smoke there's toast!" Anon





  #19  
Old November 14th 13, 08:32 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
Ken Springer[_2_]
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Posts: 3,817
Default Fake microsoft "your computer is infected" call

On 11/13/13 8:10 PM, Bob F wrote:
Nil wrote:
On 13 Nov 2013, Andy wrote in
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general:

I wonder how they got your number ?


They bought it.

I wonder if it might be better to act retarded....stutter....ask
the same question multiple times. :-)


No, it's not better. Any response is a bad response. The simple act of
you answering your phone tags your number as being valid and therefor
more valuable for sale to other tele-scammers. I suspect but don't
know for sure, that even getting an answering machine or service is a
good thing for them. Anything is good except for SIT tones indicating
a disconnected number.

As far as I know there's really no practical solution to the problem
at the moment. Your best response is to NOT answer the call. Don't
engage the caller, don't "press 1 to speak to a representative" - it
wastes your time and they still win.


FWIW, there have been a couple big busts in the last year or two of the "account
services" type of scammers.

http://www.networkworld.com/communit...5-mass-callers

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/201...nemy-number-1-


files-complaints-against-five-scammy-robocollers.shtml

"Rachel" appears to be back. :-(


--
Ken

Mac OS X 10.8.5
Firefox 24.0
Thunderbird 17.0.8
LibreOffice 4.1.2.3
  #20  
Old November 14th 13, 10:10 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,misc.consumers,misc.consumers.frugal-living
Gordon Burditt[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1
Default Fake microsoft "your computer is infected" call

I would think they could have a farm of honey pot phones where people
answer, comply with the caller until it gets down to money changing
hands, and then do the transaction with specially-issued credit cards
that serve as evidence once they find out where the recipient is.


Somehow nobody believes me when I give them a credit card number
of "1", last name "God", first name "Almighty". Adam & Eve had
"2" jointly, until she got in trouble with that charge for an apple.

*ANY* credit card ought to be able to provide evidence of who charged
to it, given a complaint of a fraudulent (or even just unrecognized)
charge by the owner of the card.

I think the key to stopping this is to break the banking system
(which probably requires abrogating international treaties on the
subject. This might not be a good idea since the USA is in such a
precarious financial condition). One illegal transaction and all
the money in the account is seized, the card is blacklisted, and
any other cards or bank accounts the person/company has are also
blacklisted. Unfortunately, that requires international cooperation.

Whatever the solution, it all costs money... and if the NSA got
involved, I'd call that a major slippery slope.


I'd prefer that the Air Force missile command get involved over the
NSA.

For cell phones, I'd think the service providers would have to come on
board - which might be a problem since every junk call racks up minutes
and revenue for them.


Smartphones have an app (well, there's lots of apps that do this,
from many different companies and for lots of different platforms)
that let you block individual numbers. Either the call is answered
and hung up on, or it's forwarded to voice mail. Many let you
easily block the previous call. And as near as I can tell, the
block list can be pretty long. Storing 100,000 phone numbers to
block may take the same memory as one photo. Some of them also let
you block with wildcards, where you might block a whole area code,
or a group of exchanges.

Bad side: I don't think it can do anything about the drain on your
minutes. It may encourage some wrong-number callers (who don't
think they are being blocked, as they are doing nothing obnoxious)
to keep trying. Then again, they might leave a message, and you
can call back and tell them that you don't deliver pizzas or that
they have Grandma's phone number wrong.

I think some cellphone providers have a web app that can block a
limited number of numbers (say, 8, the number you can block with
"Call Reject" on landline phones where it is available), and these
blocked calls *don't* cost minutes.

  #21  
Old November 14th 13, 10:41 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,misc.consumers,misc.consumers.frugal-living
(PeteCresswell)
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,933
Default Fake microsoft "your computer is infected" call

Per Gordon Burditt:
board - which might be a problem since every junk call racks up minutes
and revenue for them.


Smartphones have an app (well, there's lots of apps that do this,
from many different companies and for lots of different platforms)
that let you block individual numbers. Either the call is answered
and hung up on, or it's forwarded to voice mail. Many let you
easily block the previous call. And as near as I can


I am remiss.

I actually have such an app on my cell phone - and haven't gotten a robo
or solicitor call since installing it almost a year ago.... so I wasn't
even thinking about it when I wrote my post.

In part, it crowdsources the identification of telemarketers. There's
more, but I can't spell it out off the top of my head.

The app is named "CallContnrol" and once configured is pretty much
invisible - i.e. there's nothing to do except let it do it's thing.

One might ask "Is it blocking legitimate calls?".

I don't know - Nobody's complained, and I'm just trusting it.
--
Pete Cresswell
  #22  
Old November 15th 13, 05:33 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
micky[_2_]
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Posts: 926
Default Fake microsoft "your computer is infected" call

On Thu, 14 Nov 2013 10:35:25 +0000 (UTC), jim
wrote:

Andy wrote:
On Thursday, November 14, 2013 12:35:56 AM UTC+8, Bob F wrote:
I just got my second one of these calls.



Hi: I'm from microsoft support calling to warn you that your computer has many

infections...... and I am calling to help you get rid of them"



I played the game with him awhile. He had me start a run box and type in "inf"

and enter, then told me all those files are problems. He then told me to type

into the run box www.teamviewer.com, which I later checked to be a remote access

provider.



At that point, I told him is was great fun wasting his time, but that was as far

as it goes. He responded with a couple F.U.s and hung up.



The guy was calling from a big operation. There were lots of voices and noises

in the background.



I wonder how many people get scammed by this? Must be a lot to have a room full

of people doing this.



If you get such a call, have a little fun too. Let's really waste their time.

Anyone think my action will get me off their call list?


I wonder how they got your number ?

I wonder if it might be better to act retarded....stutter....ask the same
question multiple times. :-)

Bill Gates


Just say " Hold the line , please " and put it down for 1/2 hour . They
soon give up .


Or give a reason for them to hold the line, and come back 5 minutes
later.

Then give another reason, and come back 10 minutes later.

15

20

I'lll bet you can teach them to hold on for at least 20 minutes.

At the end you can say No. or you can say, I thought this was *Bobby*
Johnnson and you were going to return my toaster.

I'm getting repeated calls now from one of those Alerts you wear
around your neck, so if you've fallen and can't get up, you can appear
on tv.
  #23  
Old November 15th 13, 06:53 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
Hot-Text
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 150
Default Fake microsoft "your computer is infected" call

"micky"

wrote in message
news:mo8b89tqfhs84hbg2jlui8ih0ik66hc02o
@4ax.com...
On Thu, 14 Nov 2013 10:35:25 +0000 (UTC), jim
wrote:
Andy wrote:
On Thursday, November 14, 2013 12:35:56 AM UTC+8, Bob F wrote:
I just got my second one of these calls.
Hi: I'm from microsoft support calling to warn you that your computer has many
infections...... and I am calling to help you get rid of them"
I played the game with him awhile. He had me start a run box and type in "inf"
and enter, then told me all those files are problems. He then told me to type
into the run box www.teamviewer.com, which I later checked to be a remote access
provider.
At that point, I told him is was great fun wasting his time, but that was as far
as it goes. He responded with a couple F.U.s and hung up.
The guy was calling from a big operation. There were lots of voices and noises
in the background.
I wonder how many people get scammed by this? Must be a lot to have a room full
of people doing this.
If you get such a call, have a little fun too. Let's really waste their time.
Anyone think my action will get me off their call list?
I wonder how they got your number ?
I wonder if it might be better to act retarded....stutter....ask the same
question multiple times. :-)
Bill Gates

Just say " Hold the line , please " and put it down for 1/2 hour . They
soon give up .

Or give a reason for them to hold the line, and come back 5 minutes
later.
Then give another reason, and come back 10 minutes later.
15
20
I'lll bet you can teach them to hold on for at least 20 minutes.
At the end you can say No. or you can say, I thought this was *Bobby*
Johnnson and you were going to return my toaster.
I'm getting repeated calls now from one of those Alerts you wear
around your neck, so if you've fallen and can't get up, you can appear
on tv.


Micky
Please Hold as I
Transfer you to the
U.S. D.A. Office
or to
FBI

5 minutes
the calls will stop



  #24  
Old November 15th 13, 08:56 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
micky[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 926
Default Fake microsoft "your computer is infected" call

On Fri, 15 Nov 2013 07:46:36 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver (John)"
wrote:



I guess it's like email spammers and the applications that'll bounce the
email in a manner that looks as if your email address is invalid; though
I still do it (as it's only Ctrl-Alt-J in my email software), I am very


What software is that?

aware that it's mostly pointless, as the spammer is unlikely to modify
the list they're using (probably mostly posting from throwaway - or
stolen - accounts so won't even get the bounce), and certainly any other
spammer who has bought the same list won't know. I suspect much the same
applies to these diallers: either they're just using bought lists, or
just working through every number in a zone (probably with
randomisation), so being unobtainable/disconnected won't help. (I'd not
stop doing it though!)
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf


  #25  
Old November 15th 13, 04:09 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
(PeteCresswell)
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,933
Default Fake microsoft "your computer is infected" call

Per micky:
At the end you can say No. or you can say, I thought this was *Bobby*
Johnnson and you were going to return my toaster.

I'm getting repeated calls now from one of those Alerts you wear
around your neck, so if you've fallen and can't get up, you can appear
on tv.


I once heard a standup comedian say something like:

"When telephone solicitors call me, I tell them that I've lost my job,
the bank is foreclosing on the house, my wife has left me, I've just be
diagnosed with herpes, the dog died, my 13-year old daughter is
pregnant, my son is on drugs...."

"And *they* hang up on *me*"...
--
Pete Cresswell
  #26  
Old November 16th 13, 09:18 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
J. P. Gilliver (John)
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5,291
Default Fake microsoft "your computer is infected" call

In message , micky
writes:
On Fri, 15 Nov 2013 07:46:36 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver (John)"
wrote:



I guess it's like email spammers and the applications that'll bounce the
email in a manner that looks as if your email address is invalid; though
I still do it (as it's only Ctrl-Alt-J in my email software), I am very


What software is that?

[]
Turnpike.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

The sun, with all those planets revolving around it and dependent upon it, can
still ripen a bunch of grapes as it if had nothing else in the universe to do.
-Galileo Galilei, physicist and astronomer (1564-1642)
  #27  
Old November 16th 13, 12:53 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
micky[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 926
Default Fake microsoft "your computer is infected" call

On Sat, 16 Nov 2013 08:18:31 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver (John)"
wrote:

In message , micky
writes:
On Fri, 15 Nov 2013 07:46:36 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver (John)"
wrote:



I guess it's like email spammers and the applications that'll bounce the
email in a manner that looks as if your email address is invalid; though
I still do it (as it's only Ctrl-Alt-J in my email software), I am very


What software is that?

[]
Turnpike.


I had not heeard of that. I'll look into it. Thanks.
  #28  
Old November 16th 13, 12:59 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
micky[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 926
Default Fake microsoft "your computer is infected" call

On Fri, 15 Nov 2013 10:09:09 -0500, "(PeteCresswell)"
wrote:

Per micky:
At the end you can say No. or you can say, I thought this was *Bobby*
Johnnson and you were going to return my toaster.

I'm getting repeated calls now from one of those Alerts you wear
around your neck, so if you've fallen and can't get up, you can appear
on tv.


I once heard a standup comedian say something like:

"When telephone solicitors call me, I tell them that I've lost my job,
the bank is foreclosing on the house, my wife has left me, I've just be
diagnosed with herpes, the dog died, my 13-year old daughter is
pregnant, my son is on drugs...."

"And *they* hang up on *me*"...


The way I heard it, the charity calls on the phone and the guy says.
"My father in law need a kidney transplant, my brother needs rehab
from a car crash, my 20 year-old son needs rehab from drugs, and my
parents' house is being foreclosed on. I don't give them any money.
Why should I give you?

Just this past week, I got another call from someone selling Medic
Alert necklaces. I told him I was 28 years old and I didn't think I
needed one. He said, Everyone can use one. I said, How old are you?
He said 23. I asked, Do you use one? He said, Should I put you on
our do not call list?

I said yes, but I don't think that will have any effect.
  #29  
Old November 18th 13, 11:20 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
J. P. Gilliver (John)
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5,291
Default Fake microsoft "your computer is infected" call

In message , micky
writes:
On Sat, 16 Nov 2013 08:18:31 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver (John)"
wrote:

In message , micky
writes:
On Fri, 15 Nov 2013 07:46:36 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver (John)"
wrote:



I guess it's like email spammers and the applications that'll bounce the
email in a manner that looks as if your email address is invalid; though
I still do it (as it's only Ctrl-Alt-J in my email software), I am very

What software is that?

[]
Turnpike.


I had not heeard of that. I'll look into it. Thanks.


I fear you'll find it is no longer available, and doesn't work on 64-bit
operating systems (except via virtualisation).
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

"Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing."
- Wernher von Braun
  #30  
Old November 21st 13, 12:01 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
edfair[_60_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1
Default Fake microsoft "your computer is infected" call


Then there was the guy who convinced the smuck dialing in that he had
called a place where there had been a murder and that he should stay on
line to give information concerning the murder victim.


 




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