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Discussion Boards => Off-Topic => Topic started by: vp44 on June 24, 2014, 08:13:25 am

Title: Strange calls
Post by: vp44 on June 24, 2014, 08:13:25 am
For the last 2 days I have been getting phone call from someone who claims to be from Microsoft. The person tells me that they have been getting warnings about my pc and that hackers from all over the country have been trying to use my pc.  Now on my caller ID it says Microsoft with a 1 800 number. He asked me to go into my event logs page and said all the warnings there are because someone is trying to hack my pc. I asked him how does he know and what country is he from. I get a hang up. This is the 2nd time he has called. I think this is a scam of some kind. If there was a big problem with Microsoft windows wouldn't they put out a notice and not have someone call your house? I am going to research event logs online and see what this event log is about but so far from what I have learned it is just a log of events that have happened on your pc. Anybody else know what event logs are or have you had this problem with someone calling your house?
Title: Re: Strange calls
Post by: alice44 on June 24, 2014, 08:53:31 am
SCAM - don't answer the phone when he calls again. 
Title: Re: Strange calls
Post by: cberman on June 24, 2014, 09:37:52 am
they call me all the time and I tell them I don't have a computer lol
Title: Re: Strange calls
Post by: squirrelgirl44 on June 24, 2014, 09:39:51 am
I have been getting strange calls too. Mine are automated calls from AT&T claiming I have varying amounts of a "refund" and giving me a website to go to. Now, I do have AT&T but as far as I know, no refund of any kind, and why would it not credit to my account automatically if I was really owed something?

I just delete them...
Title: Re: Strange calls
Post by: Timberlan127 on June 24, 2014, 09:42:21 am
We have had the same experience and followed up with Microsoft and they said they never call customers. So it is definitely a scam.
Title: Re: Strange calls
Post by: BlackSheepNY on June 24, 2014, 10:23:13 am
For the last 2 days I have been getting phone call from someone who claims to be from Microsoft. The person tells me that they have been getting warnings about my pc and that hackers from all over the country have been trying to use my pc.  Now on my caller ID it says Microsoft with a 1 800 number. He asked me to go into my event logs page and said all the warnings there are because someone is trying to hack my pc. I asked him how does he know and what country is he from. I get a hang up. This is the 2nd time he has called. I think this is a scam of some kind. If there was a big problem with Microsoft windows wouldn't they put out a notice and not have someone call your house? I am going to research event logs online and see what this event log is about but so far from what I have learned it is just a log of events that have happened on your pc. Anybody else know what event logs are or have you had this problem with someone calling your house?

Actually, this is a pretty old scam and people who fall for it will follow the instructions while on the phone with the scammer (because they think they're legit).  The Event Log came in to being with Windows XP and is just a record of your computer's notifications.  It can be very helpful when things are going wrong with your computer.  Here's a good explanation of the Event Log and the Event Viewer.  It's even got a short video to show you how to get to the Event Viewer to see the Logs:

http://searchwindowsserver.techtarget.com/definition/Windows-event-log

Title: Re: Strange calls
Post by: Screwedupclick4life337 on June 24, 2014, 10:49:36 am
This is a scam why would he keep calling an hanging up it's a scam person
Title: Re: Strange calls
Post by: vp44 on June 24, 2014, 05:38:28 pm
I felt it was a scam. I'm glad to get input from all of you. Thank you so much for your information. Sometimes you just need a little more info. Plus make this be aware to others who may run across this also. :)
Title: Re: Strange calls
Post by: davidh121 on June 24, 2014, 08:41:16 pm
I know what an event log is, but the "Microsoft" call is pretty scary still.  Solicitating calls I get are usually not very detailed and very short if anything.  I get periodically "silent" calls where no one really answers.
Title: Re: Strange calls
Post by: jmccaskill on June 24, 2014, 08:53:24 pm
Absolute SCAM! You need to hang up on them and if you have a number ID on them it would not be a bad idea to notify authorities.
Title: Re: Strange calls
Post by: vp44 on June 25, 2014, 05:36:14 am
Absolute SCAM! You need to hang up on them and if you have a number ID on them it would not be a bad idea to notify authorities.
I was thinking the same thing.
Title: Re: Strange calls
Post by: countrygirl12 on June 25, 2014, 07:38:15 am
For the last 2 days I have been getting phone call from someone who claims to be from Microsoft. The person tells me that they have been getting warnings about my pc and that hackers from all over the country have been trying to use my pc.  Now on my caller ID it says Microsoft with a 1 800 number. He asked me to go into my event logs page and said all the warnings there are because someone is trying to hack my pc. I asked him how does he know and what country is he from. I get a hang up. This is the 2nd time he has called. I think this is a scam of some kind. If there was a big problem with Microsoft windows wouldn't they put out a notice and not have someone call your house? I am going to research event logs online and see what this event log is about but so far from what I have learned it is just a log of events that have happened on your pc. Anybody else know what event logs are or have you had this problem with someone calling your house?

THIS PERSON is the hacker.  Do not even answer the phone.  They can spoof the call and make it look like they are someone else.  My Mammaw got a phone call like this and it showed on the caller ID to be from McDonald's in a neighboring town.  He said he could see she was having computer problems and he could fix it for her.  He was from the Middle East.  I told her she did not owe him an explanation as to why she did not want to talk to him.  Just do not answer it and if you do then just hang up.  Do not explain anything to him.  I can't make her understand it is not being rude when some jack wagon calls your phone number with the sole purpose of trying to get your info so they can steal money from you or mess up your computer.
Title: Re: Strange calls
Post by: inertia4 on June 29, 2014, 04:16:28 am
I get enough scam calls or strange calls, if you want to call them that. I don't believe any of them. If I don't know the number calling me I never answer. And I never answer blocked calls.
Title: Re: Strange calls
Post by: ejholt on June 29, 2014, 04:29:06 am
Several months ago a man called and said they had sent me warning about my computer and tablet and wanted me to go into my puter.  I knew there was something wrong when he said I had a tablet.  I don't have one, that was the give away he was not honest.  I hung up on him/  I have gotten good hanging up on people like that.  Hope everyone have a good day and may God bless each of you and keep you safe.
Title: Re: Strange calls
Post by: gaylasue on June 29, 2014, 05:09:46 am
Definitely sounds like a scam!  Beware!!
Title: Re: Strange calls
Post by: Jon626C on June 29, 2014, 05:29:16 am
I have never receive a strange calls. Thank You!
Title: Re: Strange calls
Post by: rogery on June 29, 2014, 06:22:27 am
Whenever I get calls, if there is any hesitation on the other end, I hang up. You wouldn't believe how many calls I get to my fax machine. I don't need anything anyone offers over the phone.
My house is fine, my advertising is fine, I don't want to win anything, enter any contests, or be "congratulated".
Title: Re: Strange calls
Post by: Liquidfire_43 on July 02, 2014, 11:50:56 pm
It's a scam.... I usually don't pick up random phone numbers, but I always wanted to troll scammers... Waste their time try to get me to send them money or info
Title: Re: Strange calls
Post by: batmobile on July 03, 2014, 05:11:15 pm
becareful!  as a fusioncash member, you are opening a door for people to scam you... offers, searching the internet, surveys, twitter and facebook, etc... are ways people can find you to email or call you and get $ out of you.
Title: Re: Strange calls
Post by: metsrock69 on July 03, 2014, 10:22:18 pm
If I Get Calls , They Are Normally From A Company Asking Me To Further My Education. Everything Else Goes To My Google Voicemail Number. :)