N Gauge Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: joe cassidy on October 18, 2014, 06:23:08 PM

Title: 2103195026
Post by: joe cassidy on October 18, 2014, 06:23:08 PM
Has anyone been called from the above number (I think it's an American number) by individuals of Indian origin purporting to work for "Microsoft California" ?

They claim that they have received messages that your computer is infected by a "dangerous virus" and they try to persuade you to follow their instructions in order to get rid of them.

Anyone know what's behind this ?

Yours curiously,


Joe
Title: Re: 2103195026
Post by: Chetcombe on October 18, 2014, 06:28:45 PM
Sounds very much like a scam. Even if the call was from the US, the 210 area code is for San Antonio Texas, which is nowhere near California.
Title: Re: 2103195026
Post by: Griffo on October 18, 2014, 06:33:07 PM
See, for example,

http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-210-319-5026 (http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-210-319-5026)



Steve
Title: Re: 2103195026
Post by: joe cassidy on October 18, 2014, 06:38:06 PM
Thanks guys.

I got rid of them after their 3rd attempt by increasing my rudeness level.

Best regards,


Joe
Title: Re: 2103195026
Post by: Geoff on October 18, 2014, 06:40:49 PM
Yep we had them about 4 weeks ago, just put the phone on answer phone and they soon gave up.
Title: Re: 2103195026
Post by: MikeDunn on October 18, 2014, 07:31:33 PM
Ask them how it's possible when you run Apple / Linux / other non-MS OS  :D
Title: Re: 2103195026
Post by: Bob Tidbury on October 18, 2014, 09:20:47 PM
Whatever you do DONT give them your bank details this scam has been around for a while it was even on one of the breakfast TV programs again this year , I let them waffle on for a while he told me my device was sending out dubious messages and they could fix it then when he told me to go to some setting or other and I said I haven't got that on my IPad he hung up.
Bob
Title: Re: 2103195026
Post by: Newportnobby on October 18, 2014, 09:55:20 PM
They rang me four consecutive days but I told them to 'go away in short jerky movements' and they've desisted now :D
Title: Re: 2103195026
Post by: cjdodd on October 18, 2014, 10:03:07 PM
Its a total scam. there are some fun videos on youtube where people have let them into a test PC to see what they try and do.

Scamming the scammers -- catching the virus call centre scammers red-handed (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjKjyMKj3n4#ws)
Title: Re: 2103195026
Post by: Malc on October 18, 2014, 11:44:39 PM
I use "who called me UK" to see which are spammers or telemarketing calls. http://uk.whocalledme.com (http://uk.whocalledme.com)
Title: Re: 2103195026
Post by: 47033 on October 19, 2014, 05:06:14 AM
When they used to call the house phone I would ask them to hold on while I went to get the homeowner. Then I would place the phone down and carry on my business returning about 1/2 hour later to hang up the phone. I often wondered how long they would wait.I don't have a house phone anymore and I don't get them on my mobile.

Jamie
Title: Re: 2103195026
Post by: Agrippa on October 19, 2014, 10:26:09 AM
I get one of these calls every week or so, but not sure if from that number. As soon as I hear the
vindaloo accent and the background racket I hang up. If I'm in a good mood I'll ask them what's
the weather like or the cricket score and string them along for a few minutes.