Microsoft Windows

Victim Location 44001

Type of a scam Tech Support

I got calls from a number that left a voicemail on my machine. It stated that there would be an automatic debit for $499.00 from my bank account to renew my MS Windows license key. When I called the number back, the woman had a foreign accent and kept going on and on about the issue even after I told her I did not have a computer. I hung up.

Victim Location 44111

Type of a scam Tech Support

I have been receiving many calls on my landline from Daniel with Microsoft Windows phone number 800-484-0140. He has an accent and at times is difficult to understand. He did not give his last name. His extention 7472484725. He stated Microsoft is going out of business. I am due a refund of $299.99. I asked why didn’t you mail. it. He said they needed more information that could only be given online. Not over the phone. Windowshelp.com. I did not return his call. I am on the do not call list. I called the number back and was connected with him. They were persistent which is a red flag.

Victim Location 43026

Type of a scam Tech Support

I got a voicemail phone call from Microsoft Windows License has been expired 855-660-4106 this is a very important call to let you know your Microsoft has stopped the windows services in your computer. I work offline, I have it on standby. My caller ID says Washington DC.

Victim Location 78250

Total money lost $198

Type of a scam Tech Support

Received a phone call telling me that my fee for windows needed to be renewed. Since my computer wasn’t working right I asked if that was why and he said, ‘yes’. I am electronically impaired and my 90 year old husband who always took care of the computers has dementia and unable to help me with this. So I believed the very nice gentleman and paid for 3 years of service for $198.??. I told a computer friend about this and he said ‘Oh Gloria, you’ve been scammed.’ Several others in the know have said the same thing. I have notified Discover. And today, 9/5/18 I received a call from them and told them I want a refund. He didn’t argue and with the heavy accent I think he said it would be done. The man that ‘scammed’ me gave me this number to call for free service if I ever had any technical support. 888-695-0555. Ron Barry ext. 402

Discover gave me this number 888-566-0226.I called they did say service had been canceled. Hopefully the money will be refunded.

Victim Location 99037

Type of a scam Business Email Compromise

Microsoft windows has expired. Call 18662240586 to renew license/

Victim Location 63146

Type of a scam Tech Support

A ROBO voice has called four times in two days (5/2-5/3) claiming my Microsoft Windows has expired and it will stop working soon. I must "call/Internet" them at *** or my Microsoft Windows will stop working. Needless to say I didn’t call and my Microsoft Windows is working fine.

Victim Location 70001

Type of a scam Tech Support

I was basically re-moted into our Dell office server on 4.16.18 when a video/audio message popped up appearing to be from Mircosoft Windows and basically saying our computer was infected and to call them at 888-421-2144. It went on to say that if we attempted to close the window our computer would be locked to prevent the virus from spreading to others over the internet. It would not allow me to exit that window or escape from it so I simply restarted the server. When it came back up, it appeared to be gone. Ran a Weboot virus scan and it did not find anything. I was using Internet Explorer at the time the message popped up and was on a known Home Owners Association website. Not sure exactly where or how the pop-up made it "in" past our firewall/router but did not appear to affect anything. At any rate, obviously a scam so thought I would report it.

Victim Location 71202

Type of a scam Tech Support

I turned on my computer and there was a big message from what looked like microsoft windows, They had the windows logo and everything it wouldn’t let me do anything saying my security had been compromised and that I needed to call a phone number so that microsoft could sweep my computer to get rid of a virus, I called the number and they convincing me that they were microsoft they said they need to get control of my computer to sweep it. I started the sweep but the rep keep saying someone from Russia was trying to use my IP information to use my computer. This made me think and I cut the power to my computer. Then I called my web service and told them what happened and they did something to ensure that wouldn’t happen. I then did a security sweep to make sure no one had control of my computer. I’m still a little worried. I tried reporting this to microsoft but couldn’t find a link to do so.

Victim Location 60047

Type of a scam Tech Support

I received a toll free phone call on my home phone line stating that my Windows license is expired and call 18772033850 to renew my windows license.

Victim Location 63023

Type of a scam Tech Support

I was on my computer just browsing it kept popping up that Microsoft Windows was full of viruses and if I didn’t call the number my computer won’t shut down I avoided it for a while and then stupidly called the number I did not give any passwords or any credit card information but they were able to get on my computer and move stuff around when I figured it out I stopped my computer immediately so hopefully I’m safe

Victim Location 34982

Type of a scam Tech Support

Said licensing fee has expired on Microsoft Windows.

Call phone number 866.978.5727 to renew.

Robo call.

I do not own a *** computer.

Victim Location 63017

Type of a scam Identity Theft

Calls to say they are from Microsoft Windows, headquarters in California, calling to help fix problem on computer. They try to get IP address of consumer’s computer to hack the computer for information. I played along with them and they tried to get me to change a setting in my computer registry. They call all the time sometimes twice a day. Sound Indian and laugh on the phone when you tell them you know they are scamming you. Can someone shut them down? They’ve been calling for 2 years saying they are from Microsoft.

Victim Location 70118

Type of a scam Tech Support

Phone caller id was listed as Scott Mccollom

A man that sound like he was from India said that my computer was sending out problem messages to windows trouble center

He wanted me to go to my computer

Victim Location 63141

Type of a scam Tech Support

I received a phone call from an unavailable number. The woman on the line had a foreign accent and said she was Quinn Maxwell with Microsoft Windows and wanted me to get on the computer so she could explain to me what was wrong. I told her I was too busy and she asked to call me back tomorrow. I told her no then she told me I was wasting her time.

Victim Location 63138

Total money lost $300

Type of a scam Tech Support

I was on Amazon looking for a cell phone case when I decided to log out of Amazon and log into my bank account to check my balance. That’s when a pop up appeared on my screen, telling me a virus was went all through my files, I called, he "cleaned up" my computer. I gave him access to my computer screen and I could see him going through my files and snooping on me. He called me back, asked did I have a card ending in ***, I told him yes, he told me somebody tried to use that card and asked for a different credit card for payment. I gave him another number. At this point I dialed the # for the bank on the credit card. They purchased itunes cards. I called back to file a complaint on the guy I spoke to. His "supervisor" said he’d clear up the matter for another $500.

Victim Location 65041

Total money lost $789.91

Type of a scam Tech Support

I had a pop up appear on my screen. It said that my computer had a virus and someone else might send porn through my computer, it said to call Microsoft at a specific number to talk to someone. I did. The person I spoke to had me pay them a lot of money to clean the virus off my computer.

Victim Location 62040

Type of a scam Tech Support

They wanted me to call them back so that they could get on my computer. They said they would shut down my computer if I didn’t get back to them.

Victim Location 44511

Type of a scam Tech Support

Phone call received by a 72 yr old woman, they claimed to be Microsoft Windows, they stated that she had windows 10 in her name, which they also mentioned her name, and how she would not be able to go on various websites. 72 yr old woman hung up the phone. Daughter called back, daughter is an MCDBA, Told them they were not Microsoft, because Microsoft doesn’t call people about their computers, told them my title, and then called Microsoft to verify it wasn’t one of their numbers. It is not one of their numbers…. Microsoft verified it was a total scam call, that they were trying to hack into one of the computers. Gentleman from the scam call got mad and hung up on daughter…. been calling them back ever since… for the lulz. They’ve been hanging up. I want them to know I’ve reported them to Microsoft and to the BBB, and good luck from there.

Victim Location 27707

Type of a scam Tech Support

This scam has been going on for years, new number (I’ve counted and blocked a total of 18 different numbers) – same approach. They also call on some days as many as 6 times, I let the machine pickup and then I block (Panasonic has the best and easiest blocking feature).

The following is verbatim — please note the poor grammar. It’s a recorded message that attempts to sound like a computer.

"" Someone has accessed your network security and tried to steal your personal information. If not fixed right away your computer become obsolete and all of your information may got compromised. If you are the one who is using Microsoft Windows in your computer please call 929-223-0049 or press 1 to get connected with Microsoft technicians. If you are not a Windows customer please ignore.""

I’ve connected once to see how far they would go and how they ‘worked’, to gather information so I could inform my community of the scam. They request access to your computer to remotely view and assist you with your problem. They request a sum of money (varies, they wanted $600 in this instance). I acted like I couldn’t find the start button much less the additional system information they were requesting. They became very angry with my stupidity and called me several rude names. I blocked that number, only to have them call again months later using the same ploy just a new phone number.

DO NOT ever give anyone access to your computer!

MICROSOFT will NEVER call requesting or informing your of such issues.

Please INFORM others, especially the elderly and those who are not technically able.

My brother-in-law who suffers with PTSD, answered and believed them they accessed his computer, retrieved enough information that his banking accounting was cleaned out. To make matters worse, his computer registry was accessed. System had to be completely rebuilt.

Victim Location 27527

Type of a scam Phishing

caller asked "can you hear me"; I answered yes; he then proceeded to say he was calling about microsoft windows on the computer I was using; I interrupted and said, "I’m not interested" and hung up. Caller had an Indian accent.