Heads up

[bonnieboy]

Just had to tell a foreign gentleman purporting to be from Microsoft and wanting to help me sort my computer to go away, only not so politely . Phone number 01143601694. Most people will know, but just in case there is someone who has not had this before, this is a scam to allow them to take over your computer, phone etc. Seems to be that time for them trying it on again.

[mart166]

If I have time the conversation usually goes like this:-

"microsoft etc etc you got viruses"
"really"
"blah blah blah we must fix it"
"oh you must you must"
"blah blah blah blah" for about 5 mins
"ok"
"which operating system do you have"
"red hat"
"what is that sir"
"its a Linux system"

At that point the phone goes dead.



MP

[phatfil]

time to convert the landline to a £15 per minute charge line perhaps

[toots]

I get them phoning up all the time. I tell them I don't have a computer - one time they even called me a liar

So I now tell them I'm 92 years old and what would I want with a computer, never had one, never will, I gone over 90 years without one

Elderly friend of mine though, he fell for it and they cleared out his bank account it just so happened that he was having a problem with his computer at the time they rang him, that's how he fell for it, he was so grateful to hear from Microsoft he just handed over everything they wanted from him

[phatfil]

My Mam had the best approach to such calls, she would say "hang on a second while i get my glasses" and then leave the phone and go do something else for 5-10 mins only once did she return to find someone still waiting so she left them 10 mins longer before returning to replace the phone in its cradle

[izan]

I ask them to spell... EVEYTHING.
"Hi Tom...Could you spell that for me? D as in dog? no? okay...Sorry.. start again."

Or I pretend someone is sleeping and make them whisper. ( I whisper too, very very quietly.)



Phun with the Phone

I

[Perpetua]

I just tell them to bog off and stop preying on vulnerable people . . . . then blow a whistle I keep by the phone down it - very loudly.

That tends to clear the line quite quickly.

[Deleted]

Nov 12, 2015 12:01:16 GMT phatfil said:

My Mam had the best approach to such calls, she would say "hang on a second while i get my glasses" and then leave the phone and go do something else for 5-10 mins only once did she return to find someone still waiting so she left them 10 mins longer before returning to replace the phone in its cradle

That is exactly what I do only it is "hang on please while I find my hearing aid"  

[Bob]

Nov 12, 2015 12:11:36 GMT Perpetua said:

I just tell them to bog off and stop preying on vulnerable people . . . . then blow a whistle I keep by the phone down it - very loudly.

That tends to clear the line quite quickly.

Like it, must dig out my Belgian Train guards whistle, that is really loud & high pitched.