Beware of telephone scams

[schnarr84]

I simply don't answer my phone if it is a number I do not recognize, or is not already programmed into my phone. I figure, if whoever is calling has something important, they will leave a voicemail. At least then, I don't end up wasting my time answering the phone only to find out it's a marketing call or scam.

exactly what i do. i know the numbers of the companies i do business with - they are programmed into my phone. any time a 866, 800 or random number calls me (unless it is a local call) i do not answer

[ClayLex]

My boyfriends mom also recieved this call! He told her to go turn on her computer how it was corrupted and he would walk her through step by step on how to fix it! He even addressed her by her last name (smh going through the phone book I guess). She told him she doesn't feel comfortable talking about it and hung up. Really what are the odds windows is going to call you and help you fix your computer? Besides why would windows call unknown name and number? Sketchy.

Also my mom told me about a scam going on that started here in Canada. Someone or people are calling mostly from jails and saying they're from telus conducting a survey if you want to participate press 90#. When contacting the operater they were indeed able to confirm this is a scam which started in British Columbia. The reason they want you to press 90# is because it gives them access to your telephone line from the jail and they can call anywhere long distance and rack up your phone bill!

[coupondiva]

I got this call a couple of hours ago. Just as described...thick Indian accent...something about my computer being corrupted....I told him he was corrupted and hung up.

denise

[ColleenMGorecki]

will have to remember this that my husband is a computer tech maybe they will leave us alone lol

[Crochetlady]

I haven`t got either of these calls. We always get the one about lowering your credit card interest. No matter how many times I ask to be removed from the list they keep calling back.

[Justine22]

We got the Air Miles call last week. For 4 months I was going through up to 3 calls a day from a scam company. The number always came up numbers and letters or just 3 numbers on my caller ID.I looked it up and there was a message board on this scam.Some of those people were called back after getting rude with the caller saying they are going to kill them. One went as far when her kids aged 7 & 8 answering the phone saying oh they can order the service. If it did come up a number and you tried to call back it went to some poor guys cell phone that his number was stolen. We tried call blocking , Do not call list , calls to the police you name it and they were still getting through. They used 2 names...1 being Bell Mobil. You couldn't understand a word they said and no matter how many times I screamed , threatened , take me off the list...you name it...2 hr.s later call again. 20/20 had a show on how people in these countries are scamming people. Going through a proxy on a pc and that's why no one can call back. They were busting these scams which have taken millions from people who got suckered in. The calls finally stopped so I am hoping they were tracked down. Now with the Air Miles one if they continue I'm debating on buying a mini air horn. Take that you scammer! LOL

[cbou]

I did get the call for the Airmiles so I wrote to the program. They said they didn't have such contest. When you go visit their website now, it mentions this:

Collector Tip
AIR MILES does not use an automated message to notify Collectors they have won reward miles. Protect your Personal Information. Never give your AIR MILES Collector Account number or PIN in response to a telemarketing call.

[frugalkitty]

Tell them you are a computer tech and that you use Linux, because Windows sucks.

[dch]

There is also a call going around that starts with a ridiculous horn and a man pretending to be a captain telling you you have won a cruise - press 7, it removes you from their list. They called me 4-5 times a day last week (thank god we weren't home most of that time) One night after a few glasses of wine I decided to answer it and listen, removed myself and they haven';t called since.

My Mom (who doesn't have a computer might I add) totally played with the Indian man who called her about her "computer" having a virus as well - so hilarious. She knows nothing about computers except that she can press the BIG button on my tower and hold it to turn it off (hate that!) LOL

[miztia]

I got a few of these calls too. Ive told my mom numerous times to not pay attention to calls and emails she doesnt know. I worry maybe one day she will fall for the legitimate sounding scam.
I get lots in my junk mail too. Apparently several different people are willing to help me get my penis enlarged. Maybe when I receive my billions from Nigeria, I will look into it

[kingy]

i also got two calls 'about my computer'. i hung up, but i am now curious what exactly is the scam? do they get you to download a program?

[Justine22]

Usually with these scams it's give me your credit card number and I will send you something.

[Kyeste]

I don't know, I personally LOVE when we get the computer one! We're a house full of computer savvy people and it's funny as hell to talk to them... especially on speakerphone.

Last time my brother got the phone call and said something like, "What?! My Windows computer is corrupted!? Jeez! That is a problem! ...considering my computer runs Linux. What do you suggest I do to fix this?" They hung up! So sad!

We also pretend to be scared to death that our Mac computer magically changed operating systems and question what Steve Jobs will do about this, that we're completely newbish to computers and only use it to look at "lady pictures" and we hope our wife didn't mess with our computer 'cause we were looking, that we're running Windows 2.0 and it's a total pain in the &@#! and we're glad they phoned so they can help us through it, that we only hit it with a hammer three times it didn't need to call the computer cops on us... and other things. May as well have fun with it.

[coupondiva]

..... Apparently several different people are willing to help me get my penis enlarged. Maybe when I receive my billions from Nigeria, I will look into it

OMG! I almost fell off my chair when I read that! Hilarious!

denise

[*Tams*]

My dh actually told me about the computer scam the other day. Two guys he works with got the calls. I believe one of them fell for it, unfortunately. And a third guy he works with told him last week that his mother also got the computer scam call. Thankfully another family member was able to step in on the call before it went too far.

I never answer my phone if it's a number I don't know. Nor do I answer private callers. I figure if it's important they'll leave a message. Been doing this for years now.

I'm really thankful that my in-laws are away on holidays right now because this computer scam is something my mil would definitely fall for.