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The Unstoppable 'Tech Support' Scam

Posted by timothy on from the all-your-base-are-c-o-d dept.

Barence writes "A pernicious new type of scam is targeting British computer owners, reports PC Pro. The con is both fiendishly clever and ridiculously simple. The fraudster cold-calls the customer and tells them that Microsoft has detected a virus on their PC, then invites them to download a piece of remote-assistance software. No doubt reassured by the lines of indecipherable code flitting across their screen, the caller assures the customer they can make the virus vanish – but first, of course, they want payment. £185 to be precise. The spoof site behind the scam is approved by McAfee's Site Advisor and bears Microsoft logos, something which both companies have failed to act upon. Meanwhile, an assortment of British regulators have said there is nothing they can do to stop it."

6 of 312 comments (clear)

  1. I hate this sort of swindle by thewils · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's like the one where some dubious company persuades you to install some new version of their operating system claiming that it's super fast and totally secure, etc. etc. and then after six months your machine crawls to a halt unless you give them more money for the next version which is faster, more secure, etc. etc.

    Oh wait...

    --
    Once I was a four stone apology. Now I am two separate gorillas.
  2. Re:Scum by Monkeedude1212 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yeah. What morally responsible individual would ruin the good name of Microsoft?

  3. Re:Duh by jtownatpunk.net · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well, I've been doing the more brains than money thing for quite a while and I'd like to try it the other way around just to see what all the hype is about. There are so many of those people out there I figure they must be on to something.

  4. Re:Scum by morgan_greywolf · · Score: 3, Funny

    Yeah. What morally responsible individual would ruin the good name of Microsoft?

    I'm not sure, but I think you just called Microsoft's development staff "morally irresponsible." That's not very nice. ;)

    --
    My blog
  5. Re:All your money are belong to us by nj_peeps · · Score: 3, Funny

    Sacamer: Hi this is M$, we have detected a virus on your PC.
    Callie: Really? What version of winblows am I using right now?
    Scamer: Windows XP.
    Callie: Try again there buddy, I use Linux. (click)

    --
    "Anyone who trades liberty for security deserves neither liberty nor security" --Benjamin Franklin
  6. Re:Same here in the states by blennidae · · Score: 3, Funny

    If you have never heard of Tom Mabe and his response to telemarketers, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkdoogjic4I

    --
    Rejoice in your insanity, there really is no other way