Hello again, everybody!
We returned a few days ago from a five week trip to visit our children and their families in Chicago and Hershey with a side trip into Maryland. It was wonderful to see all of our dear family and much missed friends. However, I caught a nasty cold in the second week and was bedridden for several days. Then I caught another cold just before leaving to return to Hawaii and was bedridden again. It's not often I'm actually bedridden so this was pretty aggravating.
However, things are on the mend and I'm finally feeling better. I'm not ready to start posting yet, but I felt I needed to do this one WARNING post again.
We got another call from a man with an Indian accent telling us they were from Microsoft because our computer was sending out error messages to their tech department and they needed to correct the problem. They wanted Art to go to the computer and have him punch in some keys so they could help us. Feigning ignorance, Art kept the fellow on the line for quite a while just so he could prevent him from calling somebody else.
This is a terrible SCAM! Apparently these bogus sites are popping up all over and Microsoft cannot stop them all. They sometimes ask for private information or will have you type in codes that will infect your computer so they can sell you something to fix the problem they gave you. An even worse thing they can do is to have you allow them to take over your computer so they can take control of all the information you have stored there.
Anyone in a weak moment could be taken in. I once got a call at 5:00 AM and almost fell for it since I was in a daze.
What I don't understand is why we've gotten over a half dozen of these scam calls in the last year. Wouldn't you think they'd give up and cross our number off their list, especially after I asked one fellow if his mother would be proud of what he was doing. I told him he should get a better job.
I guess he didn't.
We returned a few days ago from a five week trip to visit our children and their families in Chicago and Hershey with a side trip into Maryland. It was wonderful to see all of our dear family and much missed friends. However, I caught a nasty cold in the second week and was bedridden for several days. Then I caught another cold just before leaving to return to Hawaii and was bedridden again. It's not often I'm actually bedridden so this was pretty aggravating.
However, things are on the mend and I'm finally feeling better. I'm not ready to start posting yet, but I felt I needed to do this one WARNING post again.
We got another call from a man with an Indian accent telling us they were from Microsoft because our computer was sending out error messages to their tech department and they needed to correct the problem. They wanted Art to go to the computer and have him punch in some keys so they could help us. Feigning ignorance, Art kept the fellow on the line for quite a while just so he could prevent him from calling somebody else.
Anyone in a weak moment could be taken in. I once got a call at 5:00 AM and almost fell for it since I was in a daze.
What I don't understand is why we've gotten over a half dozen of these scam calls in the last year. Wouldn't you think they'd give up and cross our number off their list, especially after I asked one fellow if his mother would be proud of what he was doing. I told him he should get a better job.
I guess he didn't.
Have not been scammed by those as of yet. We do allow the Geek Squad to fix our computer via phone now and again, but we know where they are and can go beat them up...;-) I think these are the low hanging fruit and that there are many many far better hackers out there just on the edge of taking everything down! And our government is not really prepared or even sure what to do after.
ReplyDeleteI have not heard of this scam but thanks for the heads up. I've had plenty of others, though and you are right about catching you in a weak moment. Often if you are busy, you don't think but just type.
ReplyDeleteHope you are on the road to good health. now with all the sunshine.
These scammers are also figuring out how to get into Apple products. Why can't people use their talents for good instead of evil?
ReplyDeleteThank you for being so considerate writing/posting the warning.
ReplyDeleteNow you are in your own bed, you will get well real soon.
Thank you so much. I'm trying desperately to get well because there is just too much to do.
DeleteBummer on the cold. Get well, soon!
ReplyDeleteWhere in Maryland did you visit?
Thanks for the warning. Get well soon!
ReplyDeleteHope you are better soon. Bugs are as bad as scammers.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes!! Thanks for the warning and I do hope you are feeling better soon!! Take care!
ReplyDeleteBeing here in my sister's house, I am exposed to all kinds of germs I don't usually come into contact with. She's had a sore throat for days, and I'm hoping that I won't get whatever it is she has. But traveling brings it on for me. Get well soon, Kay! And thanks for the scam warning. My husband wouldn't ever allow any of these guys to get close to our computers! Good for Art for keeping somebody else from getting scammed. :-)
ReplyDeleteOn my other site, Brickpaver plays with these guys. He thinks it funny. Both G and I answer the phone, and if there is any silence we hang up. This last year we have been getting endless calls from Bridget about our CC's. LOL They come in only on the land line not the cell.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you have been hit with a double virus. Take it easy and take care of you. We are all rather fond of you.
ReplyDeleteAwww... Thank you, Mage. You've lifted my spirits.
DeleteI love to watch those YouTube videos where guys act like they're falling for the scam and make the scammers look foolish. I did a blog post about Wendell and scammers. If you like you can check it out here: http://jalna.blogspot.com/2012/02/wendell-and-scammers.html
ReplyDeleteToo too hilarious, Jalna! Art and I loved Wendell's responses.
Deletei wonder if i have the same cold you got when you were here. i rarely get sick but this one has knocked me for a loop!
ReplyDeleteI used to field those calls too and argue with the guy that I don't have the type of computer he thinks I do. I do have a friend who did fall for the scam and had to pay lots of money to get the problem fixed that the scammer did to her computer. Me, I don't answer the call if I don't recognize the number or if it says unknown caller. If it is a legit call let it go to voicemail and I'll call them back.
ReplyDeleteI've received that Microsoft call, too. I knew it was a scam, but I played along with the guy for quite awhile, pretended to turn on my computer, type in the code he gave me, etc. but when he asked, What do you see on your screen now," I knew my fun was over, so I said,"Do you really think I'm falling for your line of bull?" He was insulted at that and hung up. Oh, and I neglected to tell him I have an Apple computer!
ReplyDeleteYou should have told him that you had a Mac
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you have been ill. Rest up and get better.
ReplyDeleteWe've had this same scam. The same thing happened to my mother and she fell for it with her Mac. It took a while for Jim to get it sorted out. I told her to be more careful. Of course, she insists she did nothing wrong. The computer was the problem and the man tried to help her. Uggggg
So sorry to hear you have been so ill Kay, but happy to hear from you!
ReplyDeleteMy husband has had to attempt to "redeem" people's computers who have fallen for such calls. Those are some hard codes to break. One of our elderly friends could not figure out how his bank account was tied into it and why he couldn't get his money. He had literally given the guy on the phone his passwords. Old people are so gullible. And they keep calling because it works.
ReplyDeleteThe phone numbers are generated automatically. I don't answer numbers that are not familiar to me. If they really want me they can leave a message.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kay. Do hope you feel fabulous very SOON!
ReplyDeleteALOHA, Friend; Thrilled to be back!
ComfortSpiral
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I got same phone calls (so much for the NO-Call list,right?). I usually hang up immediately but I wish I know how to stop them from calling. Once my husband the computer whiz took one of the call and they hung up on him. They could not answer any of the technical questions my husband asked.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're feeling much better soon...ginger tea works for me.
Hi, Kay. Sorry to hear you were sick. I figured you must be in Illinois with the kids.
ReplyDeleteWe haven't received one of these calls for quite a while now but we used to get them often. I would just hang up on them. But for someone not in the know, it could be easy to get scammed.
I get a very friendly "Sharon from Google" all the time. It is a robocall and I just hang up. I wonder how they find these scammers - do they post ads and interview potential con artists?
ReplyDeleteWe have a Mac but get those calls, too. We used to get them quite often but lately (crossed fingers) we haven't for a while. Maybe because I know that it is those idiots and keep a whistle handy which I start to blow as loud and long as I can. Have done it a few times to Bridget too!!! LOL
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon.
Lynn & Charlie
Hi Lynn and Charlie! It's so wonderful to hear from you. I wish you lived closer so you could help me with my MacBook Air. We're PC people and it's so hard to get used to this new system. We hope you're both taking some fun trips.
DeleteKay, here is a link to the Kahala Apple Store - you can sign up for workshops for your Mac or iPhone, or whatever Apple device you have, and it is all free! These are group sessions but they usually are not too crowded. You can also change the store to Ala Moana or Waikiki. https://concierge.apple.com/workshops/R210/en_US/
DeleteThanks so much, Honolulu Aunty! We are definitely going to sign up for classes once things calm down for us. We really need to learn how to use our machines.
DeleteI think there have been so many warnings out there talk about them. I even can find reports about them almost everyday filed at sites like http://whycall.me and another similar sites. I don't know how to stop them, because even FBI can't do that! The best thing we can do is just don't ever call them, and just hung up if they initiate the call.
ReplyDeleteMy son-in-law's elderly relative also got sucked into this and ended up getting their computer infected. Interestingly, this bogus scammer called himself Martin and actually asked for my mother who doesn't really understand English, much less computers and doesn't own any technology.
DeleteIf you will remember I had friends who fell for the call and it cost them $250 to get their computer repaired. They keep calling you because you keep answering. Don't answer unknown phone numbers. If it is important, they will leave a message. Scammers never leave messages because they don't want to leave any evidence.
ReplyDeleteHi Kay, sorry to hear that you were bedridden with a nasty cold. Hope you are feeling much better now. Thank you for writing this warning post. I remind my mother not to pick up calls from unknown numbers so hopefully she would not be picking up calls like this.
ReplyDeleteKay" I'm sorry to hear that you have been unwell. It is so aggravating, especially when on vacation. I hope you've been getting some pampering! I'm feeling OK after getting the bug but still have a little bronchitis.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you have been under the weather Kay and hope you'll soon be free and clear of nasty cold bugs. As far as the scammers are concerned, I guess it just takes one poor unsuspecting soul to make their day.
ReplyDeleteBlessings...
ReplyDeleteGlad you feeling better.
always there are those who want something for nothing, if they were to apply all that skulduggery to legitimate business they will be billionaires alas they are not that wise.
glad you are home safely-hope your cold gets better. thanks for scam warning...
ReplyDeleteGlad you are feeling better. There are times when I am feeling really good about APPLE products. This is one of them!
ReplyDeleteOh no, I'm so sorry you got two of those nasty colds during your trip! I hope you'll be all better soon! But I'm glad you got to spend some wonderful time with friends and family :)
ReplyDeleteThose calls sound very annoying. I haven't heard of them here yet but I do wonder if it's just a matter of time. Unbelievable what companies actually make money with :( I sure hope they'll finally leave you alone!
Have an amazing rest of the week, Kay. Lots of hugs to you,
Beate