Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Windows virus scam alert
FOR the second day running I have taken an unsolicited overseas call from someone (called "Kevin" this time) who tries to tell me that my computer is infected with a Windows Virus. For anyone running such a risky third-rate operating system, such a suggestion would have plausibility, because "Windows" attracts viruses like no other.
I asked repeatedly where he got my phone number from. He admitted he wasn't from Microsoft but was a Microsoft Certified Service Provider (right, and I'm a Chinaman). I asked how much he knew about my computer and my operating system. I asked repeatedly how sure he was of his facts.
After I strung him along as far as I dared, I informed him that I've used Macs for 20 years and would not dream of using "Windows". I suggested his information was wrong.
I hope my name is now struck of their list of potentially gullible "Windows" users.
It was clearly some kind of scam and I pass this warning along in case anyone may inadvertently be using an operating system built on a bucket of frogs instead of industrial-strength UNIX.
I asked repeatedly where he got my phone number from. He admitted he wasn't from Microsoft but was a Microsoft Certified Service Provider (right, and I'm a Chinaman). I asked how much he knew about my computer and my operating system. I asked repeatedly how sure he was of his facts.
After I strung him along as far as I dared, I informed him that I've used Macs for 20 years and would not dream of using "Windows". I suggested his information was wrong.
I hope my name is now struck of their list of potentially gullible "Windows" users.
It was clearly some kind of scam and I pass this warning along in case anyone may inadvertently be using an operating system built on a bucket of frogs instead of industrial-strength UNIX.
Tags for Forum Posts: Mac OS X, Microsoft, UNIX, scam, virus
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by james walsh on
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I keep a telephone number by my computer for when i am contacted by spammers etc. It is a premium charge porn number that costs up to £5 per minute. I tell them to call me (ask for joe) on this work number and i'll be happy to talk for as long as they like.
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John D.
I looked for the most expensive telephone number on the planet and that's what google came up with.
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Permalink Reply by andy thomas on
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This just goes to show that there are still some nice helpful people around no matter who they work for.
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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on
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This is a noteworthy performance from the notorious Indian Call Centres. Their employees are closely monitored and call centres are often ruled with a rod of iron. I sincerely hope this helpful lady manages to keep her job:
Your helper seems not only to have spent a great deal of time on your problem, but on a problem that was hardware related.
That the 'issue' – actually Microsoft have re-branded "problems" to be focus areas (!) – had nothing to do with software was both a credit to the particular employee – and no credit to either Microsoft's operating system or its propensity to viruses.
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A bit off topic but my bank clearly uses a call centre in India and you can often strike up a fun conversation once the reason for the call has been dealt with - they're often keen to know what the weather is like over here, discuss the cricket score, etc so perhaps not all of them are run like Victorian workhouses.
I too hope the lady who helped out here stays on there - we need more people like that in life generally and it would improve Microsoft's image too.
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When in NZ recently I took a call from an Indian gentlemen who claimed to be undertaking market research. I think he said it would take 10 or 15 minutes. I asked him to confirm he was being paid for his time:
"yes"
"but you will not be paying me for my time?"
"no"
"do you think this is an equitable arrangement?"
"no!"
"I think you know where I'm coming from!"
I sincerely wished him all the best.
Back on topic and more seriously, this is the link to the recent Financial Times article about Google Inc phasing out internal use of the Swiss Cheese operating sytem in favour of superior alternatives.
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Permalink Reply by David T on
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I think she should be ok - her supervisor was very anxious for me to confirm that I was entirely happy with the service provided, and well pleased when I said that I was.
Although caused by a hardware failure this was a software problem, and my helper made every effort to resolve it. This proved unsuccessful, but that wasn't her - or MS's - fault.
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I'm still getting these wretched calls. I did manage to get my own back though, earlier this week. He hadn't caught my name and I offered to go and get [me].
"Can you hold?" "Yes". I put the receiver on the desk, went away and came back after a quarter hour. He hadn't waited that long.
They claim their names are something like Steve or Bob but their real name is more likely to be Raj or Sanjeev.
The BBC have an amusing account of stringing along one of the fraudsters:
How to spot a PC virus scam (BBC story)
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