Telephone scams

[Questor]

I got two separate calls today that were trying to scam me.

The first was from someone claiming that my computer had been hacked. The connection was really bad (VOIP call from Nigeria probably) and every time I asked a question, the answer was unintelligible. Finally I told him it must be a very serious matter so I would call the police. He disconnected. I've had this kind of call before and just told them I don't have a computer. This time I did some google research and it turns out the scam is to get me to give them remote access to my computer so they can hack it.

The second one was from someone saying they could get me a lower interest rate on my credit card balance. Not the first time on this one either. In the past, I always thought that it was a semi-legit telemarketer. I asked the name of the company. The answer was unintelligible. I asked again and they disconnected. Googling again, I found out that some people actually give out their credit card information over the phone to get this discounted interest rate. Then they use the numbers to commit credit card fraud.

http://www.nwcn.com/news/consumer/S...-claiming-to-be-from-Microsoft-142649095.html

http://blogcritics.org/scitech/article/telephone-call-offering-to-lower-interest/

They are obviously targeting gullible, desperate people. I think seniors are quite vulnerable to this kind of scam. I am sure they go through a couple of hundred or more calls before they find their mark. But once they find him/her, it can be quite lucrative for them.

Does anyone know who is investigating this kind of international crime? Has there been any success in tracking down the culprits?

If you have elderly parents, relatives or friends, you might want to warn them about his.

 

[RandyAndy2]

I've recently had a call like the first one you mentioned. My caller was just able to read his script, but when I said anything he asked, "What??"

I've also recently had a call from a guy who said that the warranty on my car has just expired, and would I like to renew it. Of course he didn't know what kind of car I have, or anything else about it, just that the warranty was recently expired.

 

[pipelayer]

These are very common. Basically if you didn't call them for the service, assume it's a scam. Anytime anyone calls you these days...just assume it's a scam until proven otherwise.

 

[Demfeller]

I had one called trying to change my home monitoring company. Stating I would received better rates.

 

[diehard]

Just tell them to fuck off.

 

[Ridgeman08]

Isn't pretty much every phone call other than from a family member or friend a scam?

I don't even answer it anymore.

 

[punter]

Last week I had a guy with an Indian accent tell me that my computer had been hacked and that he could help me. I told him that he must have made a mistake because there is no computer in my house. He paused for several seconds, not knowing how to respond, I guess, then I hung up.

Now, even the phone scams are being outsourced to Indians.

 

[5hummer]

Why answer the phone anymore?

Aside from the 800 & 900 numbers, I've had 416, 514, unknown, blocked, etc calling now.
I just don't bother to answer, if they leave a message great, if not -- forget about it.

If you google the numbers, they all lead to telemarketers.

 

[chixcy]

Last week I had a guy with an Indian accent tell me that my computer had been hacked and that he could help me. I told him that he must have made a mistake because there is no computer in my house. He paused for several seconds, not knowing how to respond, I guess, then I hung up.

Now, even the phone scams are being outsourced to Indians.

They probably use some kind of software to change the accents. I believe this calls are mostly coming from Nigeria based on my 2 experiences.

I am Indian and i received this kind of call once, so i started speaking Hindi. The guy had no clue what i was talking. So i asked his name and apparently he hung up on me.

Few days later another call i received starting 416, the guy starts telling me the same old story of Car insurance expiry, so i just asked him which car as i have 4 cars. He could not tell me. I started swearing in hindi like "Teri Maaki..." the guy had no idea and kept saying me Sorry.."Could you repeat please". I am like which person on the earth as Indian doesn't understand those words.. My friend were laughing out as this whole conversation was going on speaker phone.

 

[guelph]

I had an incident a couple of years ago when I thought I was going to HP support site to get a phone number got to some place with accents that informed my computer should be replaced and they would give me a good deal. I said no thanks and hung up - did not get a call back.

 

[Skinflute]

When I seen long distance numbers identifies with double rings, I do not answer. I do a Google search of the number displayed. I usually get the info from a site called
http://800notes.com/ I also file a complaint with the CRTC https://www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca/index-eng DO NOT CONTACT LIST. BUT your phone must be on the DO NOT CALL LIST. There are exceptions so read carefully before you file.
Another popular scam is "You won a FREE cruise" all you have to do is answer a survey then they will ask you for your credit card # to cover port taxes etc. Pressing the number 1 so you won't be called again is a joke.

 

[TheDr]

Unknown or blocked numbers automatically go straight to my voicemail, numbers I do not recognise usually get left to go to voicemail as well, then added to my ignore list if they are scams.

The computer support ones I like to play with from time to time when I am feeling particularly vindictive. I have various isolated sandbox virtual machines that I can spin up and play with the idiot trying to take over my computer on...