Who else gets computer virus hoax calls?

grinder · May 14, 2011 11:17 am

You running Windows system and your system has been compromised!
We call from Windows certified offices just to tell you that your computer has been infected with malicious virus.
Do you get those annoying calls?
What do you do about it?

kexkez · May 14, 2011 11:31 am

laugh at them and hang up.
or have some fun and waste their time

What's a computer? Whats the internet.

I have a little stick thingy that has programs on it. Is that the same?

I don't have the internet can you post me the way to fix it?

My computer is win 3.11. variation My computer is an IBM. It runs IBM and only has one window. That the tv thingy right? Is that the same thing?

My computer runs "orange". My cousin made it. I don't have that file.

etc etc

Machiars · May 14, 2011 11:36 am

Yeah my brother has had them a few times.
A mate played with them at work.
Let them remote one of the empty machines they use to create images off.
They keep talking on the phone while the one remote controlling tries to grab any files off your pc they can.

Easiest just to hang up. Seems to be mostly happening in QLD currently.

Linda232323 · May 14, 2011 12:08 pm

I got one of those phone calls last year when I got my new laptop. I had nt even been connected to the Internet yet so I told them they were stupid as I couldn't have a virus as I'm even on the net. They just hung up on me. I feel sorry for the people who fall for it.

Stormy · May 14, 2011 3:03 pm

I had FOUR calls in ONE day last week. I also had one call about 2 weeks prior. I posted about it in the 'rant' thread. I got so frustrated with them that I calmly said something like, 'This is the third call I have had from you guys today would you please just" (then screamed down the phone...) "F*&^% *$$!!" ...I felt so much better after that! Just hope the neighbours didn't hear!!

Hubby took the fourth call later that night (I didn't want to pick up the phone again after that) and played around with them a bit until they hung up on him! I have since registered with the do not call register and (fingers crossed) will not hear from them again.

bashworth · May 14, 2011 3:27 pm

We get them all the time.

Just say we have got a Mac.

Practically the only phone calls we get on the land line are scammers

CA3105 · May 14, 2011 8:43 pm

Join up to the governments Do Not Call register - takes 5 minutes online, and then you won't get any more telemarketing calls - it's great!!

Machiars · May 15, 2011 12:20 pm

These aren't telemarketers so they will still call, even if you're on the Do Not Call register..

They are scammers. Trying to get as much info out of you as possible.

Banj · May 15, 2011 9:08 pm

We used to get those calls frequently until I started replying with "I'm so glad you called, my computer has been acting really strange lately. But I'm about to go out, can you call me back on <Phone number of police station>"

Strangely enough, the calls have stopped.

Alex88 · Jun 11, 2011 12:17 am

Our family friend let them go for nearly 15 minutes, explaining their spiel and everything.. Then said something like "oh wait, I can't find what you're talking about, is it because I have a Mac?"

Apparently the guy swore at him and yelled that he was wasting his time and hung up on our family friend

ESB · Jun 11, 2011 7:55 am

We've had three in the last three weeks .. husband just hangs up on them, I hand the phone to my 2 year old and let her tell them about her day ... lol

wertmezer · Oct 08, 2011 3:52 pm

My lovely 82 year old Nana got one and asked for them to call my Dad, "because he looks after my computer". Lucky she, who has been using a computer for about a year, even realised they were iffy.

Eiffel · Oct 08, 2011 4:15 pm

First time I told them that it wasn't a good time and could they give me their number and I would call them back when it was convenient for me - oddly enough I have never found time to call them back

2nd time - told them I had a mac

3rd time - told them it was my work computer and I will get work to sort any problems out

4th time - I was visiting my parents - Mum took a call and keep leaving the phone (they don't have a cordless) to go into the room with the computer - after doing this a couple of times I asked her what she was doing and then got on the phone myself and told them that it was a mac and they quickly hung up! Thank goodness I was there........

~steph~ · Oct 08, 2011 4:29 pm

CA3105

Join up to the governments Do Not Call register - takes 5 minutes online, and then you won't get any more telemarketing calls - it's great!!

I wish!!! We are on the do not call register, and still receive these calls... they are sooooo frustrating. Especially at the moment as we have our home phone diverted to my mobile, so far I have received one while I was in the photo store and yesterday while talking to the builders. They thought it was highly amusing when I got really cranky at them. No matter how rude or not I am to them they still don't stop calling. My mum has the same calls and she has threatened to call the ombudsman next time they call, am waiting to see if that stops them, if it does I will be doing the same when they call yet again.

eyspy · Oct 08, 2011 4:31 pm

Been using mac computers since 1982 and never had a virus or scam at all.

Kaytee · Oct 08, 2011 4:51 pm

The do not call register does not work for these calls as they are from overseas. My phone has "overseas" on it when they call. I have to answer because of relatives overseas. The last one to call, I told him we didn't have a computer and he said I was telling fibs. I said to him he was telling fibs too so we were even. He said fair enough. Call then ended. Sometimes I get really cranky at them though.

kiwi · Oct 08, 2011 4:53 pm

I told them I am calling the police, I have your number on my phone
as I have heard about this scam on the news....

and then they were gone.

kexkez · Oct 08, 2011 5:00 pm

Mum got one earlier in the week. She told them she didn't have a computer so they tried to tell her it must be on her laptop. Then she told them to get lost. LOL GO Mum. and yes she does have a computer and has been known to reformat and reinstall her comp operating system

She wasn't going to waste time on them.

DrMatt · Oct 08, 2011 5:09 pm

Stormy

(then screamed down the phone...) "F*&^% *$$!!" ...

I lost it at one too. Yelled and called him a thief and a liar. Suggested that making a living telling ****** and stealing suggests they somewhat failed at life and perhaps they should get an education and look for real work. Asked him how he sleeps at night and slammed down the phone. He called me right back to yell abuse right back at me.

Very amusing.

(But seriously, how do they sleep at night?)

P.S. the board auto-filter has a field day with that post!

Althom · Oct 08, 2011 5:27 pm

Use a whistle - broken eardrums generally discourages them.