Phone Call From Someone claiming I have a Virus
- I have just recieved a phone call form someone claiming to be from Microsoft, who says that I have a virus which is sending information from my computer.It sounds like a bit of a scam, but is there any chance that it could be genuine?Thanks!1 person got this answerI do too
Answers
- MrBoo,
If you have not opened an incident (ticket for Support) with Microsoft, they do not contact you.
If you need more help with virus-related issues, contact Microsoft Product Support Services.For support within the United States and Canada, call toll-free (866) PCSAFETY (727-2338).
For support outside the United States and Canada, visit the Product Support Services Web page.
Hope this helps,
Vincenzo Di Russo - Microsoft MVP Windows Internet Explorer, Windows Desktop Experience & Security - Since 2003. ~~~ My MVP Profile: https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Vincenzo- Proposed As Answer byMichael Murphy Monday, August 10, 2009 11:49 AM
- Marked As Answer byDiana D - Microsoft SupportModeratorMonday, August 17, 2009 7:20 PM
All Replies
- Hi, sounds like a version of "Do you have Prince Albert in a can?" or "This is the phone company and
we need you to help tighten the cables so pull real hard".
Here are some online free scanners to help, please use BOTH.
http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
Also download malwarebytes and scan with it
http://www.malwarebytes.org/
Add Prevx - Home - Free small, fast, compatible with most other security software, and offers
exceptional CLOUD protection. The free is a resident scanner only so if it does find something
come back here or google to find removal instructions.
Prevx - Home - Free
http://www.prevx.com/freescan.asp
PCmag - Editor's Choice
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2346861,00.asp
Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.- Proposed As Answer bySpiritX Monday, August 10, 2009 11:33 AM
- MrBoo,
If you have not opened an incident (ticket for Support) with Microsoft, they do not contact you.
If you need more help with virus-related issues, contact Microsoft Product Support Services.For support within the United States and Canada, call toll-free (866) PCSAFETY (727-2338).
For support outside the United States and Canada, visit the Product Support Services Web page.
Hope this helps,
Vincenzo Di Russo - Microsoft MVP Windows Internet Explorer, Windows Desktop Experience & Security - Since 2003. ~~~ My MVP Profile: https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Vincenzo- Proposed As Answer byMichael Murphy Monday, August 10, 2009 11:49 AM
- Marked As Answer byDiana D - Microsoft SupportModeratorMonday, August 17, 2009 7:20 PM
- Hello, I'm trying to understand the scenario.
When you received the phone call from someone claiming from Microsoft, what were they asking you to do?
Thanks- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:45 PM
- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:23 AM
Microsoft will never cold call users asking for personal information or access to your PC. Whenever possible these calls should be reported to your local consumer protection agency.
In the United States you can visit the FTC website to report issues such as these:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/telemarketing/tel19.shtmFor more information and helpful tips on how you can protect yourself from fraud, please visit:
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/default.mspxThanks!
- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:45 PM
- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:23 AM
- Hi MrBoo
I regret to say that I was one of the stupid, nieve, egg-headed, no mind, fool who fell for that phone call. The man on the phone claimed to be a Microsoft technician and asked me if I was online and if so was my computer performing slowly. I wasn't online right at that moment but was noticing earlier that day that my computer was moving like a snail. He then told me to turn the computer back on and we will time how long it takes to startup. By now my stupid computer was, of course, starting up extremley slow. He indicated that my computer was infected. He then instructed me to go to the device manager to view the Event Viewer to verify that if there were more than 5 or 6 Errors in the log, it was a positive infection. Anyways, I'm trying to make a long story short, he had me go to a website and type in a work order code and advised me that a Microsoft tech was going to fix and rid of the virus by remote. Well, all of a sudden, the technician had total control of my computer, changing all my personal settings and disabling stuff. I was p***ed!!!!!!! (Sorry about the language) Immediately, I was trying to tell the guy that I didnt like what was going on and wanted more information. He was telling me not to be afraid and that everyone was downloading their 'MaleWare Bytes' software. My most dummest moment caused my computer to get a virus from them. Took about 4 days to restore my computer back to my settings and perform a systems restore to factory settings. I later learned that thousands of people who live here in Las Vegas had their computer infected and money taken from their bank accounts. Good thing that I don't have a whole lot of money.- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:23 AM
- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:45 PM
- telefather,
Read:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_engineering_(security)
Contact Microsoft Product Support Services.For support within the United States and Canada, call toll-free (866) PCSAFETY (727-2338).
For support outside the United States and Canada, visit the Product Support Services Web page.
To report Internet crime, contact IC3 or your local FBI field office (http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm).
Hope this helps,
Vincenzo Di Russo - Microsoft MVP Windows Internet Explorer, Windows Desktop Experience & Security - Since 2003. ~~~ My MVP Profile: https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Vincenzo- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:45 PM
- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:23 AM
- Vincenzo,
Thanks for the good read. Very informative. I am just taking that experience as a rough lesson learned.- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:45 PM
- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:23 AM
- telefather,
You're welcome. Glad to help and thank you very much for your feedback.
Good luck,
Vincenzo Di Russo - Microsoft MVP Windows Internet Explorer, Windows Desktop Experience & Security - Since 2003. ~~~ My MVP Profile: https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Vincenzo- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:45 PM
- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:23 AM
- Wow. I got one of these calls and simply didn't believe it was microsoft calling me. I'm so glad that I hung up on them. I got another one of these calls today from some company claiming to be "global something or other" and they were babling about files down loaded from the net affecting my computer. I think it was a version of the same thing. Thankfully I told them I didn't know them from Adam and didn't trust them and hung up on them. Both times these were from Indian call centers and unsolicited phone calls. I'll bet a lot of people fall for this. They've got a hide though doing it on our home phone numbers.
- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:23 AM
- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:45 PM
- The man I was talking to was and East Indian and so was the Lead Technition. After the dust settled, I discovered that the name of the phone solister company was "On support Click". I'm just not sure if they were the ones that had taken money from people's accounts. I'm glad they didn't get access to my accounts.
- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:46 PM
- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:23 AM
- Hi, talefeather. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
Even though you restored your computer to factory settings, during the time they had access to your computer, your account logon information was available as well as any documents stored on your computer. Thus, even though you indicated that "you don't have a lot of money" and that they did not obtain access to your accounts, it is still extremely important that you change all logon passwords.
Please go to "Online Safety" and use the Password Checker (Password Checker: Using Strong Passwords | Microsoft Security ). It is strongly advised to use a mixture of upper/lower case letters as well as numbers and symbols. Although some sites limit the number of characters allowed for a password, longer is definitely more secure (See this article by Microsoft, Strong passwords: How to create and use them ). Definitely do not use the same password everywhere.
Corrine, Microsoft MVP This posting is provided "AS IS" without warranty, and confers no rights.- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:46 PM
- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:23 AM
- Hi Corrine,
Looks like I'm the only sitting duck out of the bunch. Oh well, it's all good. Anyway, I was monitered and guided by an HP technition who was very patient with me and my lack of computer skills. We were on the phone going through the whole process for atleast 6 hours. He made it very clear and persise that I change all my logon passwords and full computer name and disable the remote acess to the desktop and such. So, I feel pretty confident that my computer is secure times 2. Thanks for the thoughtful reply.- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:46 PM
- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:22 AM
- Talefeather be sure to monitor your credit as they may have gleaned enough info to do an identity theft.
FCC Identity Theft Site
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
Wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_theft
Identity Theft Resource Center®, Nonprofit Organization
http://www.idtheftcenter.org/
Free annual credit
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp
Good luck!
Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:46 PM
- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:22 AM
SpiritX,
Thanks for extra info. I have ID theft with my bank and even if someone tried to use my name for credit, I'm sure they wouldn't get very far. HA-HA. Glad to see that Microsoft is analyzing this topic at every angle. Much obliged.- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:22 AM
- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:46 PM
- Well not sure what Microsoft is doing, I am just a volunteer here.
Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:46 PM
- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:22 AM
- Hi, talefeather.
To explain a bit, "Microsoft Answers" is provided by Microsoft to provide a place for consumers -- people like you and me -- to both obtain and to provide help. There are Microsoft employees, Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals and others like SpiritX who help where we can. In addition to the information provided by SpiritX (BTW, great collection, which I made note of) responses in this topic have also been provided by a Microsoft employee and two MVPs.
Unfortunately, neither Microsoft nor our security software can protect us from ourselves. All we can do is pick up the pieces as you did and learn from our mistakes.
Regards,
Corrine
Corrine, Microsoft MVP This posting is provided "AS IS" without warranty, and confers no rights.- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:46 PM
- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:22 AM
- no, it is a scam
- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:46 PM
- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:22 AM
What's not a scam? The actual phone call or the program that was offered. How do you know for sure? Please let me know.
- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:46 PM
- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:22 AM
- Hi, talefeather.
I also don't know what Raymond J was referring to in his brief post. However, please allow me to point out two things.
- Microsoft will NEVER , EVER initiate a telephone call or e-mail to anyone indicating their computer is infected.
- Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a legitimate software program, created by Microsoft MVPs but is ONLY available via download from authorized sites and not installed via remote access.
Whoever telephoned you and others was a fraud. The program they installed was not Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
Corrine, Microsoft MVP This posting is provided "AS IS" without warranty, and confers no rights.- Proposed As Answer bykrittermattel Tuesday, October 20, 2009 7:40 AM
- I'm sorry Raymond J. I read your reply wrong and thought you said it wasn't a scam. Please disregard my last relply saying "What's not a scam.......".
- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:22 AM
- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:47 PM
- Hello Corrine,
The software was called "Malwarebytes" but it was dowloaded from some website that was not digitally signed nor was it from Microsoft. That's what alarmed me and made me decide to delete the program.- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:47 PM
- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:22 AM
- Hi,
Malewarebytes from here is a fine program and usually recommended as a Spyware
scanner and a Malware remover.
Malwarebyts - Free
http://www.malwarebytes.org/
If someone or a site recommends a program I always go manually to the author's
site to download it.
Hope this helps.
Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Wednesday, September 02, 2009 2:11 AM
- I am in the UK and have been receiving unsolicited telephone calls from a company who claim to be working on support for microsoft. On asking the name of the company they said "Tacon or Takon" Far east accent - they claim that they have received a report of my computer running slowly when connected to the internet/ a fault with a driver / any other excuse that you can think of and offer to help if I give them access to my PC. Since I operate 4 pc's I asked which PC they were referring to - they said one with 2 GIG processor - since I don'toperate such a pc I then asked that if they knew all about my PC how much memery did it have - poor guess at 1 gig. I think they then got the message that NO WAY WERE THEY GETTING ACCESS TO ANY OF MY PCs.
Simple message - beware of anyone cold calling and saying that they know what your PC has installed especially when you are behind a very secure firewall and antivirus screen.- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:47 PM
- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:21 AM
- talefeather ,
Just to make sure - if you had any banking information on the PC i would hope you had the bank change account numbers , get new checks, change all credit card #'s , if you can get a new drivers liscence #'s, and buy credit protection insurance.
You have been penetrated and ( of course you did say it was a shared computer so maybe you don't keep that stuff on it) if so they have already gotten enough to compromise you very quickly.
So don't be casual about it - just changing computer password is not enough - if you had zero financial info ( no banks , Credit card info , tax returns) maybe be you are OK - just t hink about it.- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:21 AM
- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:46 PM
- Hello jgs43,
Thanks for the info. I have learned my lesson and will never allow to be ambushed again. When I got this call, I was not experienced in the way of computer security. Since the incident, I've become knowlegable and more cautious about my choices to my online security. By reading and investigating articles, forums, etc..., I feel confident that my computer and my personal info is safe. - Hello mcarrcpa,
Thanks for the information and the suggestions. After the incident I did have everything changed, and I mean everything. I was't being casual about this matter when it occured because I took immediate reaction to any unlawful comprimse that would affect my finacial credability. It may have seemed that I was being casual in my past posts, but I assure anyone that I was extremely concerned. By keeping myself more alert and informed about online security, and also having top of line computer protection, I now know the consequences of allowing any person to retrieve or decieve me of my personal information.- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:46 PM
- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:21 AM
It's definitely a "phone scam"; such kind of scam is spreading a lot lately
There's to say that NOBODY (aside from the ISP) can be able to "map" a given IP to a phone number or a name; at least NOT when it comes to "domestic" internet connection (corporate ones may be different, but I don't think this is the case); in general the best way to handle such stuff is the following
Ask the caller to identify himself (Name/Surname/Company/...) if he refuses it's a scam
Ask the caller for a phone number, tell him you'll call him back in a short while; again, if he refuses it's a scam
Contact your ISP explain them what happened, ask them about the folk which called you, give them the phone number he gave you and have them check if the call is legit or not; if it's legit then ask them to place the call again, otherwise it's a scam and either they'll handle it for you or you may call Law Enforcement and give them the details- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:21 AM
- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:45 PM
- talefeather,
Just to make sure you know, Malwarebytes is a completely safe and very good virus detector. The person that called you would not have really worked for Malwarebytes.
Randall - Randall,
I'm sure the person who called wasn't from "Malwarebytes" because the company who solicited me was named "On Support Click" from a foreign country. My apology if I made any insinuation that "Malwarebytes" was affiliated in anyway to the person who called me that day. I agree with Corrine MVP on her past reply, stating that the program that was installed in my computer was fraudulent.- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:21 AM
- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:47 PM
- ObiWan,
I did get three different phone numbers and their first/last names from them and gave them a call back. What I didn't know then, was that I could call my ISP and explain the scenario.
Wish I knew then what I know now.- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:45 PM
- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:21 AM
Talefeather,
If you're not a short story writer, you seriously missed your calling --- I genuinely enjoyed reading your post --- it's true, enlightening, funny, insightful, and something to which EVERYONE can relate at some time or another.
~krittermattel~- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:46 PM
- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:21 AM
- ~krittermattel~,
Thanks for the comment. I must have missed the short story bus along time ago.- Proposed As Answer bytalefeather Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:21 AM
- Unproposed As Answer byCorrine -MVP, ModeratorTuesday, October 20, 2009 2:46 PM
- I have very recently recieved a phone call from a foreign call centre, claiming a connection with Microsoft. They told me that there was an error on the computers in my area, and that they could fix it and deal with future problems 'for a small fee'.
They promised to make my computer 'like new'.
They were very keen that I should go to my computer to check for an error message- I refused- several times. However I later discovered that my son had been on my computer at the time, and that there had in fact been an error message on the screen!!
Wondering how they got onto my computer? Is Microsoft aware of this (I assume) scam? What are they doing about it?
Would love some feedback on this from Microsoft...Or anyone.
NB I have since had a few problems with my computer... Freezing, error messages. Wondering if there is a connection? - roruna,
I would ask your son if he had accepted any kind of computer help from someone else online or from a phone call. Then maybe try and perform a complete virus scan and see if there is any type of virus or malicious program that may need to be removed. If any other problems arise, start a new post with details of your computer problems and wait for a response from a Microsoft moderator. Good luck. I am also in the UK and have received a similar call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft saying that they've been receiving lots of error reports from my computer and that I must be having problems when my pc starts up or when it does start up it starts very slowly. The lady (who sounded distinctly like she was at a foreign call centre due to her lack of English) said I should sit in front of my pc and she would help me look at the required files and, if I do have the problem, she would put me through to a qualified technician who would remotely control my pc to help me fix it.
There were several things that made me think this was a scam: the call was at 8.00am on a Saturday morning; the lady just said I used the Windows OS she couldn't specify which exact one; I have 3 pc's but she didn't seem bothered which one I sat at and when she gave my address she referred to the post code as the zip code.
The lady insisted she was calling from Bradford, gave her name as Jane (though as mentioned she sounded distinctly foreign) and gave the phone number 01274 900110 to call back on saying this was Microsoft's UK Headquarters (though luckily I am fairly sure it isn't as I have a friend who works for Microsoft in the other end of the country and a quick search shows that Microsoft don't seem to have an office in Bradford). She gave the phone number so that I could phone her back when I'd checked them out and said that if I rang back I would hear them answering 'Microsoft' so I'd know it wasn't a scam (I haven't bothered trying to phone).
I am putting all these details here in the hope that anyone else searching, wondering whether to phone back, may come across them and not be taken in by this scam. The lady was very persistent and I am glad I had enough knowledge to realise she was a con.- Hi Joools,
Many thanks for your reply. I'm thinking that maybe Microsoft should make its usere aware of this type of scam!!! - Thanks Talefeather,
Computer seems to be back to normal now, so maybe just a blip.
One of my customers called me about 5 minutes ago in a panic saying she's received call from MS and gave the same story as above. Clearly this is doing the rounds and MS should do some sort of press release stating that they never make calls of this nature.I am also in the UK and have received a similar call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft saying that they've been receiving lots of error reports from my computer and that I must be having problems when my pc starts up or when it does start up it starts very slowly. The lady (who sounded distinctly like she was at a foreign call centre due to her lack of English) said I should sit in front of my pc and she would help me look at the required files and, if I do have the problem, she would put me through to a qualified technician who would remotely control my pc to help me fix it.
There were several things that made me think this was a scam: the call was at 8.00am on a Saturday morning; the lady just said I used the Windows OS she couldn't specify which exact one; I have 3 pc's but she didn't seem bothered which one I sat at and when she gave my address she referred to the post code as the zip code.
The lady insisted she was calling from Bradford, gave her name as Jane (though as mentioned she sounded distinctly foreign) and gave the phone number 01274 900110 to call back on saying this was Microsoft's UK Headquarters (though luckily I am fairly sure it isn't as I have a friend who works for Microsoft in the other end of the country and a quick search shows that Microsoft don't seem to have an office in Bradford). She gave the phone number so that I could phone her back when I'd checked them out and said that if I rang back I would hear them answering 'Microsoft' so I'd know it wasn't a scam (I haven't bothered trying to phone).
I am putting all these details here in the hope that anyone else searching, wondering whether to phone back, may come across them and not be taken in by this scam. The lady was very persistent and I am glad I had enough knowledge to realise she was a con.Post deleted and reposted on new thread.
