Phone Scammers
Just had a lengthy phone call from some scammers. They are so peristent I can see why a lot of people fall for them.
I answered the phone and as Asian woman checked my name and then told me my computer was infected with junk files and that I needed to remove them as it was affecting my computer’s performance.
At this stage I worked out they were scammers as of course there is no way anyone but my own ISP would know about my computer, and Vodafone isn’t in the business of phoning customers proactively. In fact getting through to their helpdesk can be challenge enough.
She claimed to be from “Windows”. I explained that my PC was very secure. She insisted there were files on there I did not know about. I said that if there were, I had a firm I used for such problems.
As I was not co-operating, she put me onto her supervisor, who was a male Asian. He repeated the dross. I asked for his name and who he works for and a phone number. He said he could not be phoned but he works for Microsoft New Zealand. I said that I happen to know Microsoft NZ’s chief legal counsel and that if he gives me his name and phone number I can verify it. He gave a phone number which started with 0200. I pointed out this is not a NZ phone number, and he then said they actually work for Microsoft Asia, and look after New Zealand.
By chance one of my best friends has been the PR Manager for Microsoft Asia for the last few years, so I mentioned this and again asked for his name and address. He then said actually they are based in NZ with Microsoft NZ at the Viaduct.
I played with them a bit longer, and then said I think they are scammers and will phone the Police and hung up.
I’m not sure exactly what they were going to get me to do, but it was either install some software so they could look for the “junk files” and gain control of the PC, or sell me some solution, or both.
I was lucky that I knew enough that I could tell it was a scam, but sadly a lot of people won’t and will fall for it. It would be nice if the Police could track them down, but I suspect they are not NZ based and used Skype or something to call in.
Any others had this experience?