Scammers in force!

[MrB (Simon)]

Originally Posted by wasyoungonce

Pretty much thinking of ditching the home phone completely

I did this about 5 or 6 years ago.
Haven't missed it for a single second.

[wasyoungonce (Brendan)]

Originally Posted by uwahl

.... I can't believe anyone would be taken in by this scam!!??

Elderly? Those who have reduced cognitive powers? This happens with age and there are quite a few in society who are not that computer literate.

[acropolite (Phil)]

I had a slightly disturbing incident. The scammer who rang claimed to be from Bigpond, my computer was infected and was spreading the virus all over bigpond. I told the idiot that I knew lots of people in Telstra and that I also worked in the industry, followed by "How about I trasfer you to the nearest police station"..... deathly silence.... After a few more seconds of silence I asked the scammer if he understood what I had said, "no could you repeat that again" he said. I repeated then told him to F$% off.

The disturbing part of the story is that just 10 minutes before I had finished a call with Telstra at their OS call centre, I had completed an internet transaction to unlock HRH's iphone for international travel.

The call centre operator had my phone number and knew that I had both a computer and internet access and that I had just completed a credit card transaction.

I'm more than a little suspicious that my scam call was set up from information coming out of that overseas Testra call centre.

[Peter.M]

I work with a few Indians, I got them to teach me to swear in their language nothing more satisfying than telling them to f off in Hindi.

[Sconesbie (Scott)]

Old mate from a "windows certified department" just called. He didn't know which "windows certified department" just that it was a "windows certified department". Bugger me if I didn't have a virus in my computer. He was certainly kind enough to start guiding me through the steps to fix this bug. As soon as he told me what I needed to do I asked what I should have on the screen. He asked "what do you have on the screen"? I asked him "you tell me what I should have"? He got a bit cross. Sorry I upset you but there is no need to get cross. I know you're only trying to help. I asked him when he wanted my credit card number as I was ready to give it to him. When he asked why he would need it, I told him it was so he could rip me off. It's not that difficult. I'm just trying to make it easy for him to do his job. Then I asked him what country and city he was calling from. Just to make conversation while he helped me fix the virus. It sounds like he must have had a bad line because the call was disconnected. What do I do now? I have a computer virus, no little Indian man to help me fix it and my bank account is intact.

[Shano592 (Shane)]

Damn! I think I will have to plug my phone back in. I'm missing out here!

[uwahl (Ulrich)]

This time it was the friendly technician from "Telstra" who claimed my computer was slowing their entire network! Not a bad effort considering it wasn't even turned on at the time.

That's two in two days.

[AndrewJ]

I also got one about 8:00pm last night ( they are ringing later and later ) from the "Windows dept".
It was the same woman who has rung up before, as she has a vey distinctive way of squawking "shut up" before slamming down her phone,
( just after you call her a scammer )
Truth hurts i guess

Andrew

[cornelia (Ruth simmons)]

That's what I do, too. I waste their time as much as possible.

[cornelia (Ruth simmons)]

I got tips to annoy them from http://www.callercenter.com/articles...marketers.html and they're really funny! I hope to get another call tonight so I can try the Tom Mabe prank this time..

[wasyoungonce (Brendan)]

Problem is I have tired in doing pranks back to them, I have better things to do and lately been getting calls 8pm+ at night.

The Whistle trick probably doesn't do what it used to as they use VOIP and the bandwidth is very low and signals have attenuated peak.

Probably best trick is to put your 3yr old on the phone to talk to them.

[guggle (Michael)]

Originally Posted by Peter.M

I work with a few Indians, I got them to teach me to swear in their language nothing more satisfying than telling them to f off in Hindi.

Care to spread these choice words to the rest of us..?

[g__day (Matthew)]

Just tell them you're still on Windows for Workgroups (Windows 3.11) and you can't find any of this new fangled Start Button, Program Manager or Event Viewer.

Plan B - tell them you also work for Microsoft Technical support. I did that once, the call went like:

Me: Are you calling locally?
Bogus: Yes we are in your home city
Me: Oh so you're from the MS Head Office local support team?
Bogus: Yes we are sir.
Me: On level 2?
Bogus: Yes that's right.
Me: Oh well my home phone diverted to work, I work for MS Technical support and I'm on level 2 right now - please stand up and wave to me

They hang up fast after that and in fact never called back!

[noeyedeer (Matt)]

unknown number or international .. pick up.. hang up. if it's important thryll call back. that's my method.

matt

[AndrewJ]

Gday Matt
Its important to let them start talking, as sometimes you can have fun.
About a month ago i got a trainee.
I know if noone is on the phone immediately i pick up, that its probably a telemarketer so just tersely say/repeat
"hello, what do you want, is anyone there"
Once they start talking i reiterate "what do you want"
I got one newbie scammer who got so flustered, he started reading his script card wrong, then muttered an expletive to himself and hung up
Best fun for ages

Andrew

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

I'm still patiently waiting for 3 yrs for one of these, I must be on their "do not call" register.

[AndrewJ]

Gday Trevor

Im on the do not call register too, but it doesnt stop the "microsoft"/"windows" scammers, as there is no way to get their details.

Andrew