Scam warning

[bluespirit]

Huh, I think I've just avoided a scam artist.

I was cold-called by someone calling themselves 'Janet' - with a heavy accent that seemed very 'unJanetlike' - saying they were getting error messages being sent from my computer.
She had my name (& obviously my telephone number) & said she was working for some firm supporting Windows. (I actually couldn't catch most of what she said.) She said she'd take me through the errors, etc on my PC.
I definitely didn't like the sound of this, so I was polite but firm & said I'd look into it myself & hung up.

I've just done a quick search & there seems to be a scam like this that's been going around for a while now. They charge you for 'cleaning' your PC & can also install malware & get your credit card details, etc. Source #1 #2, #3.

Just thought I'd give the heads-up as this was completely new to me.

Comments

[iloveatlantis.livejournal.com]

I got one of those calls a couple of weeks ago, from a man (who had an Indian accent) saying he was with "Windows" and that they had gotten a report of problems with my computer. It didn't make sense to me that someone would call saying they were with "Windows," or that they'd be calling an individual's home even if there were a problem with that person's computer, so I hung up on him. I hadn't heard there was a rampant scam like this going on, though.

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Good for you!
I was the same - it just didn't sound right. I hadn't heard about it either but it looks like it's pretty rife. :(