Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Microsoft Windows Technical Support Telephone Scams

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Sep 30, 2014 2014-09-30T20:35:00-05:00
Sep 30, 2017 2017-09-30T05:13:33-05:00

Microsoft Windows Technical Support Telephone Scams

If someone calls you, claiming to be from Microsoft Technical Support, to help you fix your computer, mobile or other devices, please terminate the call. This is a scam used by cyber-criminals to trick their victims into installing malicious software on their computers, which the cyber-criminals will use to remotely access their computers from anywhere in the world.

Many persons have reported receiving phone calls from people with an Indian accent, claiming that they are calling from Windows Helpdesk, Windows Service Center, Microsoft Tech Support, Microsoft Support, Windows Technical Department Support Group or Microsoft Research and Development Team (Microsoft R & D Team). The callers claim that they have detected something wrong with or found a virus on the potential victims’ computers and they are willing to fix the problem free of cost, but in order to do so, the potential victims must download some software.

Microsoft and other legitimate companies will not call and offer to fix your computer remotely. And, allowing these people to take control of your computer is a very foolish idea. These people will search the files on your computer for your personal and financial information. They will install malicious programs on your computer, which they will use to spy on you. They may even use your computer to commit other cyber-crimes, which will then be traced back to you.

Now, if you were tricked into allowing these cyber-criminals into installing software on or access your computer remotely, please have a tech-savvy family member, friend or a local trusted computer technician look at your computer and remove any malicious software that was installed on it.

Also, change your computer's password, email accounts, online banking, and all other passwords immediately. And most importantly, do a full scan of your computer with the antivirus software installed on it.

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Comments 9

Sep 22, 2016 at 9:39 PM by info

Received via email:

"Recd email stating they were MICROSOFT SECURITY alert and to call 8008681782. Man who answered had heavy accent. Hung up as I knew it was fake.

Recd call back immediately (same voice) from 8668637942 asking if I called w/computer problem. Said no...wrong #. He didn't want to hang up. I called MICROSOFT SECURITY & THEY SAID IT HAS A SCAMMER."

Jul 2, 2016 at 7:31 PM by info

Received via email:

"I just received a call from a "certified windows technician" who informed me that there is a problem with my computer. These people won't stop calling me. I have already been scammed by them once, shortly after I got my first computer and before I knew better. Every time they call me I tell them to stop calling me and that I know it is a scam, that I have already been scammed - lost money, had my computer crashed by them and then had to spend more money to get my computer up and running again, and scrubbed clean. The man was foreign sounding ( every time they have called me it is a foreigner) and the number is 215-485-6225. I believe every time one of these people call they are using a different phone number. I just want them to leave me alone. Also a few days ago I had an alarming noise on my computer and a big blue warning screen popped up telling me that my computer had been compromised and to call the number listed immediately. I believe this was identified as "Windows" or "Microsoft" in the message. I was instructed not to X out of the screen, shut down or restart my computer. I DID exit the screen and I DID shut down my computer and restart it. I also ran a security scan through McAffey and that showed no problems detected. I am weary of this harassment."

Feb 23, 2016 at 5:08 PM by info

Received the following from an anonymous user:

"I made a stupid mistake and called a number on my computer as I thought it was Microsoft Support. The gentlemen told me he was Microsoft Support, so, I gave him access to my computer via ShareMyPC. I don't know if he downloaded any information from my computer, but, he definitely ran some "tests" to diagnose what he thought was wrong and told me all typed up all of the following:

(Please Note - I am concerned as he had access to my computer and made me feel like I had some real bad viruses that I needed to get taken care of...I have since changed all of my passwords and want to ensure that I am safe from this fraudulent type of behavior)

LIVE PC FIX
Name:- Paddy Singh
Toll free Number:- 1-888-574-2575
Extension Number:- 2330
Employee ID:- A1376
24*7 Technical Support

Level 4 certified technician 45-60 minutes Security department"

He told me his email was paddy-microsoft certifiedtechnician.com.

Jan 5, 2016 at 7:09 AM by info

Received the following from Micheal:

"I just got a call the other day from someone claiming to be from Microsoft Windows. I have been scammed before and so I was on my guard and did not do what they asked me to.

The call came up on my Comcast caller ID from Seatle, WA and I asked the person who could barely speak english where he was calling from and he said NY. He aggressively told me to click on my windows icon and would not let me speak until I started yelling at him.

He claimed I had something wrong with my windows and I was getting viruses. I sternly told him I wasn't doing anything and to never call me again."

I have ignored all other calls from this number but finally decided to answer the other day and stop this number from calling me. So this threat is very real.

Thank you for posting this and confirming my suspicion.

Jan 5, 2016 at 12:17 AM by an anonymous user from: Needham, Massachusetts, United States

I received a call from someone who could barely speak English claiming they were calling from windows and said they were calling because I was getting viruses on my computer. He wouldn't let me speak and forcefully told me to click on the windows icon. I sternly told him I wasn't doing anything and to never call me again. He abruptly hung up on me. I had been scammed before and I doubted that windows would call anyone. But he had my phone number, name and address, which anyone call look up on the internet. Never let anyone get access to your computer.

Jan 4, 2016 at 10:05 AM by an anonymous user from: Brandon, Minnesota, United States

This happened to me. It all seemed very legitimate. The caller was polite and very convincing. I paid 239.00 dollars to have my computer problems "fixed". My computer did run better after the "work" was done and they even called me back to make sure I was satisfied.

Seven months later I got a call from TEQUFLY PC CYBER specialists saying they were going out of business and wanted to refund my money. This involved getting access to my bank account so they could deposit the money in my account. They said since it was coming from an international account the minimum deposit was 1500 dollars and I would have to send them the difference. When I refused, the man became very terroristic and threatening. I still refused and he said he would crash my computer ( which he did).

I ended up paying a local computer specialist to wipe my computer clean, changed all my passwords, notified my bank, etc and lost lots of sleep over the whole ordeal. It was a nightmare...

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