Recentlyreceived a call from a man in Oklahoma – 580-067-0963 – claiming to know about issues with Microsoft Windows operating systems on my computer and the possibility of my computers crashing and losing all data.
As a technician I told him this was bogus for the following:
1) Any major attack on Windows would be published in the media and Microsoft would release critical patches
2) I back up my systems on a weekly basis
3) He was not a native English speaker; his grammar and speech were questionable
4) He had no specific details about this alleged crash and resulting data loss
5) The phone number above is invalid, according to reverse phone directory. I don’t know of any numbers that start with 0
Be advised – some scammer is out there trying to dupe you into doing something you might regret. There is no mass Windows issue – that I know of – that is going to cause your Windows operating systems to crash.
This is what Microsoft has on its website:
Virtual agent: There are several known hoaxes and e-mail scams that usually sound too good to be true, including the Microsoft lottery hoax e-mail.Another common scam involves receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft technical support, who will then request access to your computer.
Note: Microsoft will not make unsolicited phone calls to help you with your computer.
Click here to see how to recognize phishing email messages, links, or phone calls.Click here for the guide that helps you remove malicious software, spyware, and viruses and prevent future infections.
By Dion D. Shaw
Dion D. Shaw is the founder and owner of Homepreneurs
Homepreneurs. New Day. New Opportunity.
In 1991, Dion Shaw was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Over the years, his health has declined, including ongoing vision problems associated with optic neuritis, and doctors now say a stem cell transplant is essential to his well-being and perhaps, survival.
You have to love the scammers. I don’t even have voicemail set up on the home phone anymore because of telemarketers and scammers. I only use the home phone for international calls.
Anything important will usually come via email, text or to my cell phone. If something important happens out of country even the international will call my cell phone, I will foot that bill.
This was a first for me. I do have a sister in Oklahoma, so naturally I saw Oklahoma and answered. This guy was obviously full of b.s. He picked the wrong guy to randomly call! LOL.
Have a great day!
Just got the same call an hour ago.
Wow – from the same number? What the hell?
Yes same number! Didn’t give any info and hung up.
Thanks, Katie. I posted on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Sheesh.
Great article! This is the type of info that are supposed to be shared around the web.
Shame on the search engines for now not positioning this post higher!
Come on over and talk over with my web site . Thank you =)
Thank you.
[...] Homepreneurs had also recently posted about a similar call [...]
More of that SPAM crap, huh? Will these people ever get IT?