I just received one of those scam phone calls!
By Fleur
@Fleura (29287)
United Kingdom
November 4, 2016 7:49am CST
This is (perhaps surprisingly) the first time I have actually received one of these calls. A man with a strong Indian accent introduced himself as ‘Shane’ (what a name to choose!) and said he was calling from Windows. He told me that my computer had downloaded some malicious files without my knowledge.
Curious to see what would happen next, I asked him to go on. He asked ‘Is your computer on?’ I told him it was. He asked ‘Can you see a CTRL key on the bottom left?’ I replied ‘No, not from here, it’s in the other room.’ Then he asked if I had a mobile or any other phone. I said I hadn’t so then he just said ‘Oh well, never mind, thank you Ma’am’ and put the phone down.
That seems rather strange for someone who was supposed to be helping me with a problem! What do I do now about those alleged malicious files my computer has supposedly downloaded?? I tried dialling 1471 and rather surprisingly it gave me the number – shall I call him back do you think?
All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2016.
13 people like this
17 responses
@topffer (42156)
• France
4 Nov 16
I have a Skype phone number, and Skype never gives my number when I call, which is annoying, as many people never take a call if they do not recognize the number. It was probably not an Internet call. I would be surprised if a scammer was giving his real phone number. If you want my opinion, he wanted to target the mobile phone that you have not : it is possible to contaminate a phone with a text message, and he needed to have your mobile number to do it.
5 people like this
We still have our landline phone, I hear so much better using it than our cellphone.
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
4 Nov 16
Do not be fooled by those calls or e-mails....they are scams. Never call back, don't answer the phone...let the machine pick up or whatever but don't even acknowledge those calls.
2 people like this
@1creekgirl (40654)
• United States
5 Nov 16
My husband loves to aggravate them and take up their time. They often use curse words when they realize what he's doing.
2 people like this
@paigea (35836)
• Canada
4 Nov 16
@Fleura I thank them so much for calling because my computer is acting up. I say I am waiting for it to come on etc. I put the phone on speaker and just carry on with what ever I am doing. Finally I will say I don't have a computer and hang up. Man I wish that scam would go away
1 person likes this
@Fleura (29287)
• United Kingdom
4 Nov 16
@Ghostdmo @marguicha you hear so much about them, you would think everyone must be wise to them by now. I would find it funny if it wasn't for the thought that some naïve people will be getting these calls and getting into trouble as a result.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40654)
• United States
5 Nov 16
Do not believe those spammers! If you follow their instructions, they will have control of your computer and access to everything on it.
1 person likes this
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
4 Nov 16
I still haven't had one of those phone calls and it really annoys me because I want one!!
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (19056)
• United States
4 Nov 16
lol I wouldn't call him back. The best thing to do is hang up and not tell them anything.
2 people like this
@JESSY3236 (19056)
• United States
7 Nov 16
@HAPPSINGH not to call 911. For scam calls in the US, you should file a complaint with the FTC which is what I do.
1 person likes this
@Meramar (2695)
•
4 Nov 16
Usually, I don't attend phone calls when I don't know who is calling. In the present, there are so many people phoning to offer some products, services or just want you to change from one server to another one. And some just want to get some personal information. It can be very annoying.
1 person likes this
@DrorBiton (21)
•
4 Nov 16
when I answer hose calls I immediately hang up on them, don't have time for their silliness.
1 person likes this
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
4 Nov 16
I still haven't had one of those phone calls and it really annoys me because I want one!!
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
4 Nov 16
I still haven't had one of those phone calls and it really annoys me because I want one!!
1 person likes this
