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

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.

See, for example,

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



Steve

Thanks guys.

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

Best regards,


Joe

Yep we had them about 4 weeks ago, just put the phone on answer phone and they soon gave up.

Ask them how it's possible when you run Apple / Linux / other non-MS OS 

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

They rang me four consecutive days but I told them to 'go away in short jerky movements' and they've desisted now

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

I use "who called me UK" to see which are spammers or telemarketing calls. http://uk.whocalledme.com

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

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.