888-279-1291

I have received numerous calls from a man with an Indian accent stating his name is George Williams and that he works for microsoft and he is calling because he is receiving messages that my micro soft has stopped working and people are trying to hack into my computer

I got the same thing.  He wanted to sell me a protection package from "Microsoft" for $199.  I hung up.

Same thing as above. He tried to convince me he was technical support from "Windows". He wanted me to run a TeamViewer session, at which point I'm sure he would've then wanted me to enable remote access to my machine. I asked him how many people were dumb enough to fall for this but he never broke character or came clean. Number showed as being from Duluth City, MN.

Same thing just now. Hung up on him and he called back. Again hung up on him.

My husband got a call on his cell from 320-236-7838 claiming that he was from Windows Help Desk. He said he had been trying to reach us for 5 months to let us know there is someone that hacked into our computer through our WiFi and is stealing our information. My husband said to call back when I was home around 6 because he doesn't do much with the computer. The guy called back right at 6 and I talked to him. He wanted me to get on my computer so he could walk me through how to block this hacker. I told him we were not at home and I was not at my computer. He just kept telling me how important it was I get on my computer ASAP. I asked for his name and number so I could call him back when I was home another day. He told me his name was Steve Desuze and I could reach him at 888-279-1291, but that he would be calling me back on Monday if I don't call him first. He did mention not to call tomorrow because their office is closed due to it being Good Friday. I now know I will be blocking this number before Monday at 6.

This CROOK has nothing to do with Microsoft.  Don't be surprised it they call from a different number.

Just got a call from this number using the same line and he's "receiving messages" for the same reason and I'm to call back on Monday. Similar accent, but he's now "Samuel"

The caller represented himself as being from Microsoft. He DID in fact convince my 91 year old dad and he got his credit card number. We're reporting it now,... it's a TOTAL SCAM!

Caller said he was from Microsoft and my computer was sending out warnings that needed to be fixed.  He called my home phone and knew my last name.  He was trying to obtain access to my computer using TinyURL.com and alpemix functions.  When I asked if there was a phone number that I could verify that the call was coming from, he gave me 1-888-279-1291.  Upon Googling the number, I came up with this website that indicates that this is a scam.  I ended the call.

Same experience, but his name was Jay Smith!  Unbelievable!

Just had the same thing happen. Caller ID showed a 740-501-0028, but when I asked about calling back, "George" gave me the 888-279-1291 number. Sad thing. I almost fell for it. Almost. Even asked some questions about his location and he knew the vicinity well. The are from the twin cities area.

Gentlemen called from this number and said his name was Steve and from Microsoft.  Same issue as above.  He wanted me in front of my personal computer and he would show me how to change the system configuration to stop threats from entering my computer.  I laughed and hung up.

A man called saying he was George, same as above.  Said my computer was infected and I needed to open it and he would help me fix it.  Gave me the 888-279-1291 as the Windows number.  I hung up.

Same thing. Steve said someone was trying to get into our server. Wanted me to log on. I said the computer wasn't available and asked for his number and then I googled it. It led me to this site. HE was the hacker!!

Same here. He is very persistent. I’m very Leary about this

Scammed and broke into my handicapped mother's computer! These people are the lowest scum on earth.

Most likely she let them in.

Thanks to Slim, another registered poster here and computer whiz:

Since the scammers accessed the computer, they probably did one or more of the following:
• Disabled the anti-virus software
• Added nasty malware to the computer
• Copied the Contact List (so they can spam/email your soon-to-be ex-friends)
• Copied any financial data or passwords they could find
• Compromised your ID on Facebook or other social site(s), and perhaps on shopping sites.
• "Zombied" the computer, so it would respond to THEIR commands sent via internet
• Deleted some important files
• Asked for money to repair the damage they caused

What can you do immediately after such an attack?
1.  Pull the cables on the computer, or otherwise disable it, so it cannot access the internet.
2.  Change ALL  passwords stored on the computer.
3.  Run FULL malware scans on the computer, in "SAFE" mode!
4.  Change the passwords again, particularly if the malware scans showed anything.
5.  Inform your bank and credit card companies.
6.  Sign up for credit monitoring, and check the status frequently
7.  Backup non-executable personal, data files to an external storage device.  (Executable files might be infected).
8.  You may have to bring the computer to a local repair shop, and tell them the story.
9.  Tell friends what happened, so they can be aware of strange emails from you.
10.  Connect to the internet only AFTER all the above have been done.
11.  Change the passwords on all online accounts.  Even better - access a "safe", uninfected  computer, and change your online account passwords RIGHT NOW.

NOTE:
If your computer set a "Restore Point" while it was infected, any "System Restore" you make will re-infect your computer.  Suggest you delete any potentially infected restore points and avoid setting such restore points until after your computer has been thoroughly cleaned!

You fell for one scam, and might be susceptible to others mentioned on this site:
http://phonehelp.2truth.com/facts.html
Read that info to educate and help protect yourself!

Honest computer companies do NOT cold-call people, or cause popups from websites to tell them their computers need fixing!

Some scammers even have websites, and falsely advertise they are associated with popular software packages or computer companies; so do NOT believe a "we will fix your computer remotely" site, and allow them access to your computer!

Read the info at these links.
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Cold-Call-Tech ... on-150170.shtml
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0346-tech-support-scams

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/portal/mmpc/shared/ransomware.aspx

Lesson:
If your computer needs fixing, bring it to a local repair shop

I had the same experience. I asked a lot of questions. He said he was calling from Cambridge, Minnesota. Hopefully people won’t fall for this.

Samuel Watson, he mentioned a few times.  Oh, good to know I’m not the only guy to get this mysterious call.