Um... What is this....

[CrystalKitten]

So, I just got a phone call. I'm used to getting all the telemarketers, and fundraisers and all that, been living on my own for a while now.. but this was different. They ask for me.. And first of all.. pretty sure they said my last name right. Almost NEVER happens, so that was weird.

Then he says something about being some kind of maintenance for windows *unidentifiable heavily indian accented jumble* while there is MASSIVE sound coming in from the environment as well. Eventually, he says he's calling about Windows OS. I ask him how the hell he knows what OS I'm using, or that I even have a computer. He keeps trying to push his line, the whole time while I'm telling him to take me off his list. He says it's no list, that they are maintenance people, to which I repeat my question of how he knows what I'm using...

He then starts saying that I sound LOVELY and have a lovely voice or some crap.. and starts asking "what are you doing?" ... At that point I'm getting really freaking creeped out, as this is no longer sounding official even remotely, even for one of the more lax telemarketing/fundraising lines... He finally says "Okay okay, we take you of the list. Now, what are you doing?" ... I ended up hanging up... but I'm not sure if I should be doing anything else about it.. the entire process was EXTREMELY sketchy....

Anyone from Canada/Ontario know how to report these kinds of things? For basic telemarketing/fundraising call centres I don't usually bother, but I really don't think this was anything even remotely legit... I'm even doubting legality here...

[Vephriel]

Ahh, there's a phone scam going around where they try to trick people into giving up information such as IP addresses and such, claiming there's a virus on your computer and that they can get rid of it (laughable, I know, but I guess some people must fall for it ._.).

We actually got one of these calls the other day, and it was amazing because my boyfriend was the one to answer the phone. He's an IT tech and just started grilling this guy on the other end, asking him technical questions that the guy didn't seem to know or understand and my boyfriend was just calling him out on being a fake. The guy got flustered and pissed off and started swearing but my boyfriend just kept asking him things until he hung up on us. xD

[CrystalKitten]

Haha, did he post on one of those sites that lists all the scam numbers with horror stories? Cause I read a pretty much identical story when looking up the number, heh.

And yeah.. I'd figured it was a scam... I don't care HOW polite you're trying to be.. if you're a professional you don't tell people they sound lovely over the phone and ask "so what are you doing?" .... Yeah.. I know I'm getting pretty desperate right now.. But not desperate enough for that <.< Not only that, but usually when you say "add me to your do not call list" it's a simple "Okay, sorry" but this guy seemed to have no idea what I was talking about.

I just... I'm amazed that people fall for it.. Also, apparently it's been going on for quite a while.. I'm surprised that they haven't been busted by some agency already... Which is why I asked if anyone knew where to report calls like this <.< I'm obviously not dumb enough to fall for it, but he seemed to imply they might try again later... And I'd hate for people who are maybe less proficient with computers to fall for it... Not to mention, as I said, the risk of them continuing to call..

[Vephriel]

Hehe, no he didn't, but I imagine similar cases can happen. Lots of computer-savvy people out there, and I can only imagine the hilarity that ensues each time the scammers have the misfortune to try it on one of them.

[cowmuflage]

Eh people still fall for those "you've one the lottery" emails no shock people fall for these XD

[Lisaara]

Creepy.....I feel for you hun.

[Cryptography]

Definately a scam.

Seems like its being tried world-wide. Theres not much your local agencies can do about it really since the scammers are calling from overseas.

I've sometimes baited folks like this, crapped on for ages playing dumb, but nowdays i just tell them "f#$& off scammer" then hang up.