Strange 'phone call

[filibuster]

I just received a 'phone call from India telling me that I had been chosen as a privileged Microsoft Company customer to see what problems I had on my computer system. This call took almost 45 mins./ because I had difficulty in understanding the caller but the bottom line was that if I paid for either 2, 3 or 4 years cover, they would remove all the problems from my computer. I think this might be a scam and told the caller I wasn't interested. Does anyone know anything about this?

[Safiya]

theres been a few posts about similar....its a scam apparently....

[redcrx]

did you give them access to your PC by remote access??

[milly143]

I think I'm the only person in the world that hasn't had one of these calls. I'm starting to feel a bit left out.

[redcrx]

how would you have become a "privileged Microsoft Company customer "?

how would they know that you have a PC there?

[ummmm]

I've never had one either Milly....

It's a scam Fili....

[Safiya]

i havent had one either milly.... i would just put them 'on hold' with a bit of thrash to listen to if i did :D

[Davethedog]

Never give any information about your computer over the phone unless you instigated the call. Of course its a scam they want control of your computer.

45 minutes??

[Pinkypie]

Scam, they usually ask for details that would enable them to access your computer!

[factor-fiction]

What a waste of 45 minutes on a lovely morning.
Any caller who says in an accent that's difficut to follow "Hello, my name is Sebastian...Good news Mr Factor ( or more likely they don't even know my name)...you have been specially selected..." gets put on hold for 45 minutes while I sit in the garden

[filibuster]

Thanks for all your replies, and it is just as I suspected.

[filibuster]

I've been thinking more about this situation, and I have to admit I did give them remote access to my computer. I know, I know, I've been stupid but how can I check nothing has been removed or added? Please don't bother to castigate me for being foolhardy, I have done that myself since the incident happened.

[Old_Geezer]

Run your anti virus software, or get a second opinion from a free web scan from a well trusted AV supplier's site. Plus run anti malware detecting software such as malwarebytes and superantispyware.

[filibuster]

Thank you, Old_Geezer, I am actually running a full scan at this moment and will also try the other programmes you suggest.

[Old_Geezer]

If you give access, half the concern is what they may have added. The other half is what they may have found of yours, and copied. I trust nothing too personal.

[VHG]

NEVER trust people who phone you up out the blue.

While they said they were from Microsoft they could have been anybody (and in fact were).

I am surprised you gave ANYBODY 45 minutes of your time who just phoned you up.

Anyone I dont know I slam the phone down (after telling them to "f... off").

Suggest you think carefully in future about who you "trust"

[filibuster]

VHG, you don't need to tell me what I found out the hard way. Incidentally, I might put the 'phone down but I wouldn't tell them where to go.

[filibuster]

Old_Geezer, I have done everything you suggested and hopefully my PC will now be safe. Thank you so much for your help and your positive comments, as I really don't need to be told how stupid I've been. Old age brings it's problems.

[ELMAJORI]

Thanks for your warning and for the constructive advice from some. I think it is quite altruistic of you to share your experience. Let's face it we are all getting older!!

[deggers316]

its probably got all your saved passwords etc if you have any stored

[ray388]

CHANGE ALL YOUR PASSWORDS...NOW