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I've had quite a few so called Technical Support people ring me in the last few days. They are claiming that they aren't selling me anything and that they aren't trying a scam. As usual, the caller has an Indian accent and a UK first name. They claim that there are programs on my computer which shouldn't be there and that anti-virus and malware programs won't pick them up. I don't let them get very far before I cut them off.

 

One of them wanted me to run EVENTVWR. These scammers almost always try that one out as the resulting screen will always show lots of errors. That one is well known.

 

But the one just now tried a different tactic. In the run box he wanted me to type INF HARMFUL FILES. I cut him off at that point. Typing that command is harmless. All it does is to open Windows Explorer and show the files in the C:\Windows\Inf directory. The HARMFUL FILES bit is meaningless, you get the same result whatever to type. The directory contains the files used in installing Windows in the first place.

 

Another command sometimes used by the scammers is PREFETCH. Again that just shows the files in the Prefetch directory.

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Good grief El Loro    Sounds like you're being targetted unfortunately.  Thanks for the warning

 I've got to the point where I don't answer if I don't recognise the number or if I'm not expecting a call. I google any numbers I don't recognise and lo and behold... most of them are fake uk numbers rented out to call centres in India.

FM

I think that sometimes scammers concentrate on a specific part of the country. They think that if someone gets lots of these calls within a few days the person thinks that there really is a problem with their computer. Although the phone numbers which appear look like genuine UK numbers, they won't be, it's known as spoofing.

El Loro
El Loro posted:

I think that sometimes scammers concentrate on a specific part of the country. They think that if someone gets lots of these calls within a few days the person thinks that there really is a problem with their computer. Although the phone numbers which appear look like genuine UK numbers, they won't be, it's known as spoofing.

I didn't know it even had a name  Dreadful carry on isn't it...

Oh for the days when the only nuisance you had to worry about was the occasional Jehovahs Witnesses at the door!

FM

I had loads of those calls a little while ago , and I think you and right El Loro, they * bulk  buy*  different areas over say a two week period , then seem to disappear off the radar for a few months I have to say that, providing I am not busy , I tend to have great fun with them ....although the latest bunch got shirtier a lot faster than previous ones Of course , I'm on my iPad , so they are on a hiding to nothing  

Baz

Unauthorised telephone spoofing in India is illegal under section 25(c) of the Indian Telegraph Act 1885 and those found guilty can be fined and/or sent to prison for 3 years.

 

The Indian Department of Telecom announced last month that it would be running awareness campaigns there to try to stop people using spoofing.

El Loro
El Loro posted:

Unauthorised telephone spoofing in India is illegal under section 25(c) of the Indian Telegraph Act 1885 and those found guilty can be fined and/or sent to prison for 3 years.

 

The Indian Department of Telecom announced last month that it would be running awareness campaigns there to try to stop people using spoofing.

About time !! Mind you , now they are using numbers that at first glance look like they are British !! 

Baz
Baz posted:

I had loads of those calls a little while ago , and I think you and right El Loro, they * bulk  buy*  different areas over say a two week period , then seem to disappear off the radar for a few months I have to say that, providing I am not busy , I tend to have great fun with them ....although the latest bunch got shirtier a lot faster than previous ones Of course , I'm on my iPad , so they are on a hiding to nothing  

 Attagirl Baz !   Good for you 

Try as I might... I always go into polite mode with them  I need to go on a rudeness course ! 

FM
Last edited by Former Member
Roger the Alien posted:
Baz posted:

I had loads of those calls a little while ago , and I think you and right El Loro, they * bulk  buy*  different areas over say a two week period , then seem to disappear off the radar for a few months I have to say that, providing I am not busy , I tend to have great fun with them ....although the latest bunch got shirtier a lot faster than previous ones Of course , I'm on my iPad , so they are on a hiding to nothing  

 Attagirl Baz !   Good for you 

Try as I might... I always go into polite mode with them  I need to go on a rudeness course ! 

Aww that's cos you are nicer than me Rosie I take great pleasure in messing them around  

Baz
Baz posted:
Roger the Alien posted:
Baz posted:

I had loads of those calls a little while ago , and I think you and right El Loro, they * bulk  buy*  different areas over say a two week period , then seem to disappear off the radar for a few months I have to say that, providing I am not busy , I tend to have great fun with them ....although the latest bunch got shirtier a lot faster than previous ones Of course , I'm on my iPad , so they are on a hiding to nothing  

 Attagirl Baz !   Good for you 

Try as I might... I always go into polite mode with them  I need to go on a rudeness course ! 

Aww that's cos you are nicer than me Rosie I take great pleasure in messing them around  

Aww that's not true Baz  I actually hate them and their ilk ... they really take advantage of people. Its just my mind goes blank! 

FM
Roger the Alien posted:
Baz posted:
Roger the Alien posted:
Baz posted:

I had loads of those calls a little while ago , and I think you and right El Loro, they * bulk  buy*  different areas over say a two week period , then seem to disappear off the radar for a few months I have to say that, providing I am not busy , I tend to have great fun with them ....although the latest bunch got shirtier a lot faster than previous ones Of course , I'm on my iPad , so they are on a hiding to nothing  

 Attagirl Baz !   Good for you 

Try as I might... I always go into polite mode with them  I need to go on a rudeness course ! 

Aww that's cos you are nicer than me Rosie I take great pleasure in messing them around  

Aww that's not true Baz  I actually hate them and their ilk ... they really take advantage of people. Its just my mind goes blank! 

The easiest , and most basic way is to say * hang on* ....and then just leave them hanging  

Baz

I haven't had any of the Windows scammer calls yet. I'm feeling left out.

I do get the ambulance chasers who keep telling me I should make a claim for a car accident I had when an elderly man reversed into my (parked) car. They can be very persistent and I end up getting very grumpy and telling them I have no intention of making a false claim for injuries I never received - then I hang up!

Yogi19
Baz posted:
Roger the Alien posted:
Baz posted:
Roger the Alien posted:
Baz posted:

I had loads of those calls a little while ago , and I think you and right El Loro, they * bulk  buy*  different areas over say a two week period , then seem to disappear off the radar for a few months I have to say that, providing I am not busy , I tend to have great fun with them ....although the latest bunch got shirtier a lot faster than previous ones Of course , I'm on my iPad , so they are on a hiding to nothing  

 Attagirl Baz !   Good for you 

Try as I might... I always go into polite mode with them  I need to go on a rudeness course ! 

Aww that's cos you are nicer than me Rosie I take great pleasure in messing them around  

Aww that's not true Baz  I actually hate them and their ilk ... they really take advantage of people. Its just my mind goes blank! 

The easiest , and most basic way is to say * hang on* ....and then just leave them hanging  

  Very good idea Baz!

FM
Yogi19 posted:

I haven't had any of the Windows scammer calls yet. I'm feeling left out.

I do get the ambulance chasers who keep telling me I should make a claim for a car accident I had when an elderly man reversed into my (parked) car. They can be very persistent and I end up getting very grumpy and telling them I have no intention of making a false claim for injuries I never received - then I hang up!

 Wonder how they know about it Yogi? You're very honest... there's many would be claiming whiplash and going round in a neck brace given half a chance  

FM
Roger the Alien posted:
Baz posted:

I had loads of those calls a little while ago , and I think you and right El Loro, they * bulk  buy*  different areas over say a two week period , then seem to disappear off the radar for a few months I have to say that, providing I am not busy , I tend to have great fun with them ....although the latest bunch got shirtier a lot faster than previous ones Of course , I'm on my iPad , so they are on a hiding to nothing  

 Attagirl Baz !   Good for you 

Try as I might... I always go into polite mode with them  I need to go on a rudeness course ! 

Or get an answer machine. If it's important they'll ring back and you need caller ID. That also helps to find out who they are. You can search the number and if it's valid you can block it if you have that type of hone 

FM
Roger the Alien posted:
Yogi19 posted:

I haven't had any of the Windows scammer calls yet. I'm feeling left out.

I do get the ambulance chasers who keep telling me I should make a claim for a car accident I had when an elderly man reversed into my (parked) car. They can be very persistent and I end up getting very grumpy and telling them I have no intention of making a false claim for injuries I never received - then I hang up!

 Wonder how they know about it Yogi? You're very honest... there's many would be claiming whiplash and going round in a neck brace given half a chance  

Because certain companies out there sell your number on. Register on TPS....although it doesn't stop them all 

FM
Sprout posted:

I've got the answer machine flashing at the minute. I was in and heard the call...it was PPI....press this if you want this press that if you want to be taken off our list.....yeah, yeah    when I can be harrassed I'll get up and block that number and delete the message 

Flippin heck speak of the devil, eh Sprout ?  

FM
Roger the Alien posted:
Sprout posted:

I've got the answer machine flashing at the minute. I was in and heard the call...it was PPI....press this if you want this press that if you want to be taken off our list.....yeah, yeah    when I can be harrassed I'll get up and block that number and delete the message 

Flippin heck speak of the devil, eh Sprout ?  

Yup 

FM
velvet donkey posted:
Roger the Alien posted:
Yogi19 posted:

I haven't had any of the Windows scammer calls yet. I'm feeling left out.

I do get the ambulance chasers who keep telling me I should make a claim for a car accident I had when an elderly man reversed into my (parked) car. They can be very persistent and I end up getting very grumpy and telling them I have no intention of making a false claim for injuries I never received - then I hang up!

 Wonder how they know about it Yogi? You're very honest... there's many would be claiming whiplash and going round in a neck brace given half a chance  

I've had them too Rog. Dodgy insurance companies selling data on can be the only answer       Tesco in this case.

I bet you its that Tesco has been giving my number out!  Hope you're keeping ok Velvet  

FM
Roger the Alien posted:
Yogi19 posted:

I haven't had any of the Windows scammer calls yet. I'm feeling left out.

I do get the ambulance chasers who keep telling me I should make a claim for a car accident I had when an elderly man reversed into my (parked) car. They can be very persistent and I end up getting very grumpy and telling them I have no intention of making a false claim for injuries I never received - then I hang up!

 Wonder how they know about it Yogi? You're very honest... there's many would be claiming whiplash and going round in a neck brace given half a chance  

I don't know where they get the info from, but they know a lot of detail. There must be somewhere central that stores the info, then sells it on.

My honesty is a standing joke in my family, my sons and DiLs call me Goody Two Shoes. I once bought a sheet of wrapping paper from our local newsagents, but when I got home I discovered there were two sheets stuck together - so I went back the next day and paid for the extra sheet.

Yogi19
Sprout posted:
Roger the Alien posted:
Yogi19 posted:

I haven't had any of the Windows scammer calls yet. I'm feeling left out.

I do get the ambulance chasers who keep telling me I should make a claim for a car accident I had when an elderly man reversed into my (parked) car. They can be very persistent and I end up getting very grumpy and telling them I have no intention of making a false claim for injuries I never received - then I hang up!

 Wonder how they know about it Yogi? You're very honest... there's many would be claiming whiplash and going round in a neck brace given half a chance  

Because certain companies out there sell your number on. Register on TPS....although it doesn't stop them all 

TPS does help a bit. I'm registered with them and have an unlisted number and I still get some. All it takes is a company, (if you have to give your number for a delivery), to sell it on and the nuisance calls start.

Yogi19
Last edited by Yogi19
Yogi19 posted:
Roger the Alien posted:
Yogi19 posted:

I haven't had any of the Windows scammer calls yet. I'm feeling left out.

I do get the ambulance chasers who keep telling me I should make a claim for a car accident I had when an elderly man reversed into my (parked) car. They can be very persistent and I end up getting very grumpy and telling them I have no intention of making a false claim for injuries I never received - then I hang up!

 Wonder how they know about it Yogi? You're very honest... there's many would be claiming whiplash and going round in a neck brace given half a chance  

I don't know where they get the info from, but they know a lot of detail. There must be somewhere central that stores the info, then sells it on.

My honesty is a standing joke in my family, my sons and DiLs call me Goody Two Shoes. I once bought a sheet of wrapping paper from our local newsagents, but when I got home I discovered there were two sheets stuck together - so I went back the next day and paid for the extra sheet.

  

FM
Yogi19 posted:
Roger the Alien posted:
Yogi19 posted:

I haven't had any of the Windows scammer calls yet. I'm feeling left out.

I do get the ambulance chasers who keep telling me I should make a claim for a car accident I had when an elderly man reversed into my (parked) car. They can be very persistent and I end up getting very grumpy and telling them I have no intention of making a false claim for injuries I never received - then I hang up!

 Wonder how they know about it Yogi? You're very honest... there's many would be claiming whiplash and going round in a neck brace given half a chance  

I don't know where they get the info from, but they know a lot of detail. There must be somewhere central that stores the info, then sells it on.he

Interesting that you'd genuinely had an accident. We had a scam caller at work recently, but he was just fishing: he didn't check who he was talking to, but said he was calling about "your accident" - clearly trying to get you to volunteer information. It was quite funny as he obviously had a list of numbers, and you could see him working his way round the office. We were taking bets on who would get rung next!

Eugene's Lair
Eugene's Lair posted:
Yogi19 posted:
Roger the Alien posted:
Yogi19 posted:

I haven't had any of the Windows scammer calls yet. I'm feeling left out.

I do get the ambulance chasers who keep telling me I should make a claim for a car accident I had when an elderly man reversed into my (parked) car. They can be very persistent and I end up getting very grumpy and telling them I have no intention of making a false claim for injuries I never received - then I hang up!

 Wonder how they know about it Yogi? You're very honest... there's many would be claiming whiplash and going round in a neck brace given half a chance  

I don't know where they get the info from, but they know a lot of detail. There must be somewhere central that stores the info, then sells it on.he

Interesting that you'd genuinely had an accident. We had a scam caller at work recently, but he was just fishing: he didn't check who he was talking to, but said he was calling about "your accident" - clearly trying to get you to volunteer information. It was quite funny as he obviously had a list of numbers, and you could see him working his way round the office. We were taking bets on who would get rung next!

FM

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