I recently received a similar call; so I thought I would alert others. This guy sounded like a caucasian, but sounded angry & frustrated when I refused to cooperate! (I found this answer from Yahoo! Ask)
Okay I know Im really f**king stupid, but it was first thing in the morning and I fell for this scam. I was called around 9am by some Indian guy and he was explaining to me that hes a registered Microsoft technician and had received a call alerting him that my IP address had a number of errors. He then told me to get to my PC and follow the steps to help me resolve these so called 'errors' once it was on he asked me to go onto run and enter Eventvwr (something like that) and when all the errors came up it shocked me and I wanted it fixed. So I just did everything he told me to do and eventually payed £46.99 for some security package. I then went downstairs turned on my other pc googled whether this was a scam and as soon as I found out I rushed upstairs turned off my laptop and internet and phoned my bank to cancel my card.
Am I still at risk, my card was cancelled about ten minutes after I selected 'make payment' as he had total control over my PC I'm afraid to turn my laptop as I think he might install malicious files.
What do I do! Arrghhhh (my bank only had £50 in it so they couldn't steal anything else)
Am I still at risk, my card was cancelled about ten minutes after I selected 'make payment' as he had total control over my PC I'm afraid to turn my laptop as I think he might install malicious files.
What do I do! Arrghhhh (my bank only had £50 in it so they couldn't steal anything else)
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
If they had you install anything to actually control your pc then remove it...restore it to previous and check it actually uninstalled. If they used windows in built remote desktop then remove its settings.
Inform your service provider that you have falled for this, so that they can monitor the ip address you were on, then (and im assuming your on dynamic IP like most) turn off your router and wait 15-20 minutes and turn it back on. this gets you a fresh IP address from your provider and makes it harder for them to get back on anyway.
Run a antivirus scan on your machines and action anything that you find,
oh and remove any software they "sold" you as its probably infected with something..
I dont have to tell you as you realised but will post for others, anyone ringing you stating they are from or work in connection with microsoft (unless you rang them first) is probably lying, microsoft wont ring you unless you instigated it. Also they wont ask you for money or card details over the phone, do not give out information like this unless you know the source and have validated them like they should have validated you.
Calls like this are unfortunately very common and loads of people fall for it, you have done the right thing by telling the bank immediately. you should be fine.
With luck changing your ip and remote settings will be enough to cut them off. Just be vigilant for a while look for any unusual activity like activity lights when your not doing anything.
This scam is usually after your money not your pc (but not always)
Inform your service provider that you have falled for this, so that they can monitor the ip address you were on, then (and im assuming your on dynamic IP like most) turn off your router and wait 15-20 minutes and turn it back on. this gets you a fresh IP address from your provider and makes it harder for them to get back on anyway.
Run a antivirus scan on your machines and action anything that you find,
oh and remove any software they "sold" you as its probably infected with something..
I dont have to tell you as you realised but will post for others, anyone ringing you stating they are from or work in connection with microsoft (unless you rang them first) is probably lying, microsoft wont ring you unless you instigated it. Also they wont ask you for money or card details over the phone, do not give out information like this unless you know the source and have validated them like they should have validated you.
Calls like this are unfortunately very common and loads of people fall for it, you have done the right thing by telling the bank immediately. you should be fine.
With luck changing your ip and remote settings will be enough to cut them off. Just be vigilant for a while look for any unusual activity like activity lights when your not doing anything.
This scam is usually after your money not your pc (but not always)
