FRAUD ALERT!!! -- Suspicious Microsoft Service Phone Calls (Update #3)

Reposted: *7 Nov 14
Originally Posted:  9 Aug 13


Update #1:  Another sensible response to this threat might be the "National Do Not Call Registry (click here)".  You may register up to three phone numbers.  You will receive a separate verification-email for each registered number.  Each takes effect 31 days after verified registration.

Update #2:  At the bottom of this article, I gave a link to StopFraud.gov.  On further investigation, the type of telephone fraud discussed herein is supposed be reported to "FTC - Telemarketing Scams (click here)" -- and I have placed a report in this case.  THE MORE WHO FILE A REPORT, THE GREATER PRIORITY THE MATTER SHOULD SURELY RECEIVE FROM OUR BUSY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHO MUST MAKE THE HARD CHOICES.

*Update #3: 7 Nov 14  -- a comment today on this bulletin led me to realize that this problem is still in play and that this bulletin might be helpful to those who hadn't seen it yet.  So, it is being reposted.

---

Purpose

To caution fellow Internet/Microsoft users (and helpful Apple users) concerning a particular fraud I encountered, yesterday, from the phone number, 1-631-621-0001 (a New York area code but, well...).

This particular fraud has, in my view, serious threatening implications for the unwary.

The Story

1.  Yesterday, I received an unsolicited phone call  --  purporting to be a (garbled) company working on behalf of Microsoft.  (My operations are largely PC-based.)  I was instantly suspicious but curious to see where this was leading.

2.  The caller said that Microsoft was checking because they had indications from my computers (all of them, so they said) that I was encountering hidden errors that were threatening my security (more alarm bells, here -- I have super security measures in place -- not infallible, but high confidence is justified).

Besides, how could Microsoft (or any company) afford to do such a trivial, unnecessary task -- much less detect when millions of individual users are in alleged need -- and notify each one?

3.  I was then asked to run my "Event Viewer" and when I complied, playing along, they tried to interpret the various successful actions of my system as being errors (clearly absurd).  Yet, the spoken accent was so heavy, I needed to be sure I wasn't misinterpreting the words.

4.  During the course of their "troubleshooting" they guided me to a remote-control site which would enable them to take over my computer -- "just to look at the so-called error codes and determine what action they should take."  ABSOLUTELY NOT -- I HEARD ENOUGH TO REMOVE FROM THEM THE BENEFIT OF ANY DOUBT.

5.  At this point, I asked for a phone number so I could call back and confirm that I had a bonafide caller.  They were apparently ready for this, as they maintained a polite-seeming attitude and gave me the number without hesitation.  Here is the number I was given:  1-631-621-0001.   After hanging up, I immediately Googled the number and this is what I found (click here).

6.  As you can see from the Google Search, many have experienced this ploy -- and it is a terrible ploy, at that.  Once they dupe you into downloading the remote-control app, they can then take remote control of your system, can plant malicious codes that can track your keystrokes (or do other unpleasant things), and can access sensitive information to play havoc with your life.

Next Steps

I am still very angry -- but I haven't called back.  Still, I just hate to see this fraud perpetrated on innocent users -- without my doing something to take these miscreants to task.  I'm pondering my punitive alternatives to help society fix this -- but meanwhile, I thought you should be given this "heads-up."

For starters, I have begun exploring "StopFraud.Gov," with a view toward filing a report -- either there or someplace more appropriate. (See Update #2, at the top of this article)

Please comment below, if you have anything to add.

Down with the corruptors of our precious Internet blessing!  

Up with precautions for friends 

-- and with strong law enforcement alternatives!

David Nelson


All Original Content © 2013 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

SCAM ALERT! "Work-From-Home" Scam

1.  9/21/12 - Update:  Computer security remains a major point of criminal entry into private lives -- creating much personal havoc and destruction and social productivity loss.  It still seems that not everyone believes they can better their lives without ruining others.  They are changing the way we have to deal with our "Internet miracle."   So be it. 

A foremost recommendation is to change our daily routines.

It is becoming imperative to check on-line bank and credit accounts, 
EVERY DAY (or more), so that criminal activity can be detected promptly and dealt with.
Sooner is always better in this case.

Two other blog articles, here, have touched on the subject of computer/financial security, as follows:

• COMPUTER SECURITY!!! Lock Down Your Facebook Profile
• INTERNET SECURITY -- Protecting Bank and Facebook Accounts
• More will surely follow

2.  First published: 2/12/12 -- Editor's Note --  The below article is, by far, the most popular one on this blog.  As long as demand remains so high, I will keep it near the top of the "bulletin board."  I hope it is doing as much good as it seems to be doing.

THE SCAM
Interested in checking on other scams? try ConsumerAffairs.Com AND this Google Search

THE STORY

1.  Purpose.  This posting is to caution you about a MALICIOUS email that has been circulating for quite a while -- on which evidence is now CONCLUSIVE that this is much worse than a hoax.  You should be wary -- for you stand to be harmed!

2.  Background. Over the last few months, versions of this highly "suspicious" email have reached me, identical to the examples contained in this "Internet Patrol" site article, which evaluates the exact version of the email I received.

THE MALICIOUS MATERIAL IS VERY WELL DONE AND LOOKS ENTIRELY GENUINE -- AND EVEN CLEVERLY TAILORS ITSELF TO YOUR CITY . (e.g., "Rebecca Schwartz, a mom from Antioch, CA says....")

3.  Reviews of this suspicious EMAIL-TYPE, by the reputable fact-checking site, Snopes.com, produces over 100 different versions of this money-stealing ATTACK on victims.  Apparently, this vicious scheme works well enough for others to copy in order to victimize the unwary.

4.  What should you do about this?  It's still a sad truth that "what sounds too good to be true," usually isn't true -- and desperation often makes us take chances we shouldn't. (Who isn't greedy about trying to make the most of life?  We just have to be REALISTIC in our expectations -- and keep on fact-checking == BEFORE GRABBING FOR A LIFE-RING THAT TURNS OUT TO BE AN ANCHOR.)

Note: Interested in checking on other scams? try ConsumerAffairs.Com AND this Google Search

FOR FURTHER "HOAX-Insurance" -- before believing and/or passing along interesting emails, purporting to be factual, it is very important to "fact-check" them.

• A leading, highly reputable fact-checker website (within the fact-checking industry and the public, at large) is Snopes.com.  They conduct factual analyses -- first showing some of the various ways the suspicious information is presented; then examining them, point-by-point; and then concluding with recommendations as to whether the material is false or true or mixed.
• Be especially leery if the suspicious material is presented to you "unsigned," (i.e. with no clear indication as to who authored it).  Even if signed, it doesn't hurt to have a habit of checking with Snopes -- can usually be done in just a few minutes.
• Then, if found to be bad information, you can properly (1) not send the garbage any further or (2) send it along -- WITH a warning of your findings.  The second option is preferable, since this enables others to be served with good and helpful information, should they ever be confronted with the material again (and they probably will be).

HELP PROTECT THE PURITY & UTILITY
 OF THE HUMAN KNOWLEDGE BASE!

Tag: "Scams, Fraud"

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NEW BLOG FEATURE -- HOAX and SCAM-CRUSHER! (Update: 6/5/14)

Posted:  21 July 12
Updated:  5 Jun 14

PURPOSE

In an effort to help keep you aware of the hoaxes, scams, and other unfortunate byproducts of human imagination that are known to be at work -- from time to time, I will place the relevant links I may find, below.   I hope this proves helpful to you:

From "Snopes.com:"  Reputable leader in the "online fact-checking industry"

From "Hoax-slayer:"  Latest Information - Internet Scams - Email Hoaxes - True Stories

For "General Criminal Attacks"


David Nelson