Hi,

I love this, makes my day! I get these calls at least once a week. I am now getting them on my cell. The caller claims to represent Microsoft and that my computer is reporting errors to MS and they are contracted to help solve the issue.

I like to carry these people on to keep someone else from getting scammed by keeping them on as long as I can. First thing they want me to do is press Windows Key + R. I tell the supposed expert that I press and hold the Windows Key + R and nothing happens. He proceeds to tell me something is really wrong. He ask if I am pressing and holding the Windows key then press the R? I say that is my actions! He says impossible, the computer will open another window (run command) that I would then type 'eventvwr'. This scam has been ongoing for years.

I tell him that I show nothing but my browser. He then asks me to verify that I am indeed in front of my computer typing. I say 'Yes'!

He then proceeds to tell me to place something in the URL address of my browser. I ask him, 'What's a URL'? In broken English he attempts to explain this to me. I can hardly keep from laughing at this jerk.

My wife is almost rolling on the floor by now. The last time they called and tried this scam on me, I carried it for 15 minutes and got tired. Told the guy that I had enough and not to call me back, good-bye. Hung up!
15 seconds later the phone again rang and the same guy said we had been disconnected. I then proceed to tell him that no reports were coming from my machine to Microsoft. He yelled back, You are placing errors in the Microsoft Log. I then tell him. My machine is running Linux. He says; 'What?' I then hang up again then block any future calls from that number. I'm sure they use a rolling number ID so I am sure to have more fun in the future.

I once told one of these scammers that Microsoft does not make calls to a user unless the owner contracts with MS. Their spew is; Then why do you think we are calling?' I yell back 'Scammer'

So to all, if you want some fun and get these type of calls then you too can peeve some boiler room operators and delay contacting someone else who would fall for this crap.

Don't you just love computers??

Hope this helps!
Have fun & enjoy!

Yes, bit of a laugh. I get junk SMS's on my wireless router too!

Another hoot is if as a last resort you call your ISP "Help" desk and they keep asking you what version of Windows you are using and your desktop is a Debian one!

I don't have that much patience. I just say, "You're a liar," and hang up.

Another nice game is to let them wait a few times a few minutes ("one moment, i quickly get the potatoes from the cooker", dog is vomiting, coffee, etc).

Hi,

If I am busy, then I will just tell them to not call back and hang up. These scammers can be persistent and are not all that smart. So you can imagine how some people can fall for this scam are not computer savvy and can be social engineered easily. You too can easily extend the time you keep them on line. I just play stupid on them sometimes to see how it will be handled. When they state to press the 'Windows key + R', sometimes I will ask, 'What is a Windows key?'. They proceed to explain where the key is located. Then I ask 'Why do I press that key?' What does it mean? Does that open my Window?

Just simplify and turn everything back on them!

I have asked others if they get these calls and many friends do. I remind them to not fall for this scam.

Hope this helps.
Have fun & enjoy!

That's funny, kind of. My cousin use to love inviting Jehovah Witness in and talking for hours, he said his main goal was convincing them we come from aliens.

I have only ever had a mobile phone and only got one scam call. I fell hook line and sinker. It was my first apartment and they dug my prize entry form (something I rarely do) from a malls garbage telling me, "I WON WHOHOO!" Luckily at that age I did not have a credit card and boy was I mad when realized didn't win, even called the cops who said they could do nothing and be careful giving out info.

Good heads up.

I have never received such a phone call. I wish I had. I do love the functionality of blocking numbers on modern day mobile phones.

onebuck, what you described is a recognized hobby on the internet; unfortunately the term eludes me atm.
and yes, the justification is:
"taking time & nerves from this scammer means less people are being scammed for real"

i once had some fun with an email scammer...

btw, the legal phone salespeople are not much better.
or shop assistants, at that.

selling lies, lies, lies...

I believe the word you are looking for is "troll"

That's actually a really interesting way of thinking about it, never considered that aspect of it.

I usually don't even bother to say anything, I just hang up. I've thought about trolling them, but I'm usually busy and forget about it.

I've gotten only two of those calls, both within the past two weeks. Now that my number's out there, I expect more.

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