They aren't interested in screwing up computers. They want remote access to your computer. Once in they have everything they need for ID theft, using your banking, your credit cards,virtually everything you do online. They can change your passwords and lock you out while they use your identity.

I've never listened long enough to be sure but suspect it's your credit card #

Right. They want your credit card information.

And my husband almost fell for it last year because we were expecting a call from Apple at the exact time these scammers called. Thank heavens, we weren't compromised but changed passwords. They are very clever. Their number is a CA one and if you call it another Indian voice answers and assures you it's legit, but I saw the fine print a number that was Nigerian.

I could be wrong but I'm sure they would just use your CC number once they get that but one thing this scam does is they tell you your computer is infected and want X amount of dollars to "repair/fix" the problem so this is where they get to the trusting people. They pretend to be real computer techs from Microsoft they are taking care of you and your computer and just charging you a fee to fix your computer, because your computer is all infected with a virus(so they tell you).

Have added it to my collection of bogus messages. I only answer phone when I KNOW who's on other end. Have one Treasury Department message from SPECIAL Agent Steve Martin. Recently go a very garbled robotic message about URGENT need to contact Microsoft about potentially disastrous problem with my computer. A few years ago, will admit that I DID fall for one of those things that popped up on screen from "Microsoft". Looked totally legit. Didn't hold my computer ransom and didn't steal any info but did take some time and money to fix problem.

Hey, klseiverd - Steve Martin called me, too! What a coincidence! Ha.

I finally got the call from Microsoft about my computer. I asked what city he was calling from and he said California. I already knew about the scam and since I don't have a PC, I lead him on for awhile. He asked if I was on the computer right then (I wasn't) and I told him yes, but no problem. Then he said it must be on another one of my computers (I have one Mac). Finally I said I don't have a PC, but a Mac and then he said well, yes, that is where the problem is. I hung up on him. What a stupid scam.

I had a call from Sean at "Microsoft". Sean had a heavy Indian accent. There are some hilarious videos on YouTube of people who are very knowledgeable about computers playing with the scammers. One fellow did an excellent Indian accent (he was not) and kept yelling to his wife in the kitchen to stir the chicken tikka masala.

hate the scammers, but I will admit to "playing" with them. That part is FUN.

There are multiple scam calls out there; some indicate they are from the IRS, some from the Treasury Dept, some from that lady from the Credit Card place that will lower your rate.....etc etc.....All of them hope to get a contact that will provide them with some financial related data (bank accounts, numbers from gift cards, access to your PC) so they can get money. Sometimes, the callers rely on greed; more money, something big for a relatively small up front fee (in comparison to the value of the item). The same thing has been happening with email for years.

There was a local story of a woman on disability who was scammed into buying over $1,000 in iTunes gift cards and turning the numbers over to those folks.....all because she was told she won some huge amount of cash and would have to pay the processing fees up front....in iTunes gift cards. Being on welfare, she thought this was a way to make her life better so she ponied up her entire month's check and bought those iTunes gift cards. Sadly, but not surprisingly, she got nothing....so she turned to the local news to announce her plight and hope others don't fall victim to the same scam.

My only advice is; Don't answer calls from numbers you don't recognize; let them go to VM. If legitimate, they'll leave a message. Sometimes those scammers will leave a message but you can usually tell those scam calls just by listening to the message. And don't pay for anything you specifically did not buy.

Now I wonder what the IRS/Treasury Department is going to do with all those iTunes gift cards.....

I tell them all how proud their mother must be of them scamming poor innocent people. I bet she really wanted that occupation for her son, not a doctor or something like that but a liar and a low life scammed. Yes very proud.

I got the irs one this morning at 8 am. What a waste of humanity.

One thing most people don't realize that happens when you allow them to remote into your pc they can then install programs which allows them to use your computer for nefarious scams, including sending out tons of spam mail and viruses and in many cases pornogaphy. The cases where people were busted for sending out child pornogaphy, it was traced back to their ip address and they were arrested for it when in fact they had no idea what was happening. Their computer had been used by the hackers and scammers to become bot networks sending out their bad stuff from their computer with out their knowledge. And the person who is suddenly in jail and all over the news for having been involved in child pornogaphy has no idea. All the spam mail we all get much of it is coming from computers that have been taken over to send it out. Look into bot networking. When people say stupid things like well I have nothing to hide on my computer there's nothing there they want. Yes they could care less about you they just want access to the computer to use it! Never make the mistake of thinking they don't want you!

Suddenly I have been getting the IRS one . I have the do not call thing and my phone rings one time when it's a bogus one, but this one goes thru. Of course I don't answer...let the machine take it. I did get another call a few months ago from the Microsoft scammer, and I let loose with a bunch of expletives in his ear. Now I wish I would have played with him. I would not have fallen for this scam as I'm suspicious of everything. Apparently my husband is gullible.

I can't get over how many people will getting talked into buying the iTunes gift cards to pay Revenue Canada. At Shoppers Drug Mart, if a customer buys even one single iTunes card for $50 or more, an alert shows up on their cash register monitor letting the customer know we are helping them to make sure they don't send the card to someone that is trying to scam them. Our post office staff has been trained to watch for people who are sending money transfers, especially to people who are on their cell phones with them while they're making the transaction. Our staff will ask the customer to please hang up the phone and direct them to the local police station, where they can call the person back and have the police deal with them.

I don't understand why people think it's okay to be abusive or disrespectful to people who call. Yes, the calls can be annoying, and yes, some of them are scams, but the human beings involved are doing whatever kind of work they can to support themselves and their families. It's not an opportunity for meek people to blow off steam because there are no repercussions. Those who have pent-up frustration should find other ways to deal with it.

Be polite, apply the Golden Rule, tell them No Thanks and put the phone down.

Even further to Elmer Fudd/Snidely's post, don't just hang up. Telemarketers call over and over until specifically told "I'm not interested", Take me off your list, Put me on your DNC list.

I do work in market research doing polling, surveys, voter id, and other like topics. I'm in the highest of the agents getting the surveys done etc. People like my voice, and are willing to do them. I've been complimented numerous times on how enjoyable I made it. I've been told that they want me to be the one calling them in the future, and I've also been called by my superior saying that they've had people call in complimenting me. (We always start out by saying our name and the company we're with)

Those that aren't interested, when they tell me they aren't interested, etc, I do not call them again. IF they just hang up the phone, they do get redialed.

Of course, I work for a legitimate company, I'm not a scammer. They don't give a hoot.

Don't forget that a call from "Cardholder Services" is a scam as well. As for the IRS, if you have a problem with them they won't call you on the phone.

I read here about the IRS scam and never heard from them. Suddenly the last few weeks I have heard a few times a week. I just hang up. It's a recording and I'm surprised it's not culled by my do not call program. I did let loose with a few expletives to the Indian fake microsoft guy. He's a criminal as is the bunch he works for. They should be in jail. But other legitimate people, I just say ...sorry not interested, and hang up. I used to make political calls so I know it's annoying.

LOL!! pudgeder, that's great! I read an article somewhere (I'll link it if I find it) where someone outlined that keeping those unwanted callers on the line (versus just hanging up, if you answer) costs them a lot of $$$. There was a cost analysis too...it was rather interesting.

But of course, if they're robo calling just to find a viable number to re-sell it, there's no advantage for you.

I don't answer numbers I don't recognize. If I do get a telemarketer (I find out by asking the nature of their call), I politely tell them to remove the number from their list, do not call again and have a nice evening....then hang up.

Amen! Pudgeder. They are criminals and if there was any way I could get them arrested I certainly would. These are below scum. They know full well they are breaking the law and could care less. It would be my pleasure to cause them as much grief as possible. They are no different than the criminals that steal from you directly, from your home, your car, any thief is just that a thief. Be damned if I will be "nice" to them.

I am always cordial to legit legal people who call. I say no THANK you and PLEASE remove my name and number from the call list. I participated in various surveys if I have the time and it's legal. A thief is in no way earning a living they are stealing period.

Unfortunately most of the scammers are outside the US so the do not call list doesn't affect them. Since they are outside the US and Canada there's not much the government can do.

I didn't sign up for the DNC when it was first introduced decades ago. Everyone that I know that is on the list gets more calls than they did before, generating from calls outside North America, and from charities and government-related calls, since these are exempt.

I think it's sad that some of you think it's okay to turn on nastiness and anger toward strangers whenever YOU decide it's warranted. Maybe you need to get out more and have more hobbies and activities in your life.

I find charity solicitations (especially of the religious kind) annoying and invasive, if truth be told, but I'm polite to everyone. Challenge yourself to try that approach, the world will be a happier place and you'll save yourself the embarrassment of insulting the wrong caller sometime.

So you think it's wrong to be nasty to a criminal who is trying to corrupt your computer and extort you for money? A slimebucket from Nigeria?

Oh, just hang up. Why let them steal your time?

We moved to this new house in May and had a new landline installed. It rings 5 to 10 times a day. We have never used it for anything more than ordering a pizza, and we have given no one the number and it is unlisted. Yet the phone rings and rings.

And the closer we get to November... the calls will be from those running for office! Whole other breed of SCAMMERS!!

Yes, lily. No one is corrupting or invading my or your anything by calling. Reread sushipup's first paragraph and manage your blood pressure in that way.

I don't understand why anyone is answering their phone when they see a number they don't recognize. I have over 60#s blocked on my landline and at least that many blocked on my iPhone from people whose numbers I don't know. Only a select few people have my cell phone number (work, family and a few friends). If a number shows up on my phone I don't know, it goes to voice mail. If they don't leave a message: blocked. It's the easiest and safest way to keep the scammers from trying to get anything out of me.

Elmer, telemarketers and scammers are not the same thing. Scammers are thieves and criminals. Telemarketers are people trying to make a living honestly, even if it's annoying.

If you have VoIP, you can sign up for NoMoRobo. It intercepts the robo calls and disconnects them after one ring. We've had it for several years, and it is free. We have caller ID, but most times the call will say unidentified.

My phone has a call block feature. It's hilarious seeing the number that comes in. Especially when I see my own phone number in the display. Sometimes it's 123, other times it's 0's. Lately I've been seeing "Anonymous" in the display. Regardless, these and others similar to them are in my blocked call list. The phone rings once, and then it stops. I'm not sure if they get a busy signal on their end or what.

Caller ID information is sometimes useful and sometimes not. Anonymous or 1234567 are obvious. But many robo or solicitation calls show (phony) IDs from my area code so that can be deceptive. More than half of the calls I get with Caller ID numbers (that I don't recognize) instead of names turn out to be legitimate calls - someone calling to confirm an appointment, or a service contractor providing information, or a friend calling from a business or other number that doesn't trigger a contact book entry, or whatever. I answer the phone all the same and say "No thanks" if it's someone I don't want to talk to.

Suzieque, you're free to lose control of your temper anytime you want. It's your right to cowardly tee-off on anyone who doesn't meet your standards, and I'll bet you're good at making split-second assessments. Be sure to blow up at anyone speaking with an accent, real Americans know how to talk.

Yeah, mine rings once , then stops, and I often wonder what they hear on the other end. A busy signal or does it go dead? My question is why does it even ring once? Why not block before a ring since the ring may wake someone or cause me to get up and look at caller ID. And how does it know what's legit? I never get political calls which is a good thing , but I have made them in past elections sometimes using my own phone.

I don't answer any number I don't recognize. The most recent one was Costco leaving a message about the recalled tuna.

Duct cleaning calls are prevalent, all from India, at least no English speaking people ever call. They'll spoof the calls so that it comes from a local number. I did mark it as Duct Cleaning because I wanted to talk to them and tell them that I don't live in a house, but an apartment, with no ducts. If they persist, I'll start by saying an address on the 12th floor and perhaps they'll catch on.

When I request to be removed from the lists, it does little-to-no good. Even reputable charities just keep calling. I'd donated directly to Special Olympics in the past, and they started calling. I don't donate to anyone over the phone. It took two and a half years of requests to get them to stop calling.

Snidely...what? Where in the world did I say that I lose my temper? I don't know what you have against me but you are completely out of line. I am not one of the people who said that I toyed with callers or rip into them. All I did was tell you that telemarketers and scammers are different. Your posts indicated that you did not get that. I simply don't answer the calls so I have no need to interact with them at all. You are free to do whatever you want, but yet again you are misplacing your attack and misrepresenting things. E'gads.

If they bother me, I bother them. I'm not going to be polite to scammers or unsolicited sales calls. I also have the complaint form for the do not call list on my favorites bar. I fill it out for each call. Hopefully they are getting fined. Calls have certainly lessened.

Totally agree. If I ever talk to a regular person, which rarely happens with caller ID, I'm polite and hang up. If it's a fake Microsoft criminal , I'll use all the expletives I can think of or get a dog whistle and blow in his ear.

suzieque, I misunderstood your comment and my response wasn't appropriate. Sorry for that, I shouldn't have said that to you.

But look at lisa and lily's comments. I did have reactions like these in mind but accused the wrong person in identifying you.

I e tried being polite for months. They keep calling so that's what they get. No apologies-especially to the Windows guy! If that makes me a coward? Or short tempered, whatever.

Stop answering the phone...

I love nomorobo, but "microsoft" got through it. Grrrr.

Elmer, thank you for explaining and apologizing. For my part, I over reacted and I apologize.

Mine wasn't a phone call, it was an email. Got it late yesterday; in fact it was around midnight. They told me something to the effect that I had a really bad computer problem that could cause me many troubles including someone getting all kinds of info re my credit card numbers, etc. There was a telephone number I should call right then to let them know and they would fix it. Yeah, I'm sure they would. It was late, I was tired, ready to go to bed, so I deleted the message and here I am this morning, and all is well. Gotta watch those scoundrels!!

They almost got me today! I was just online doing my usual when this page came up, and this voice told me I needed to call immediately. They wanted my password and I was worried. DH is fishing, couldn't find our IT guys number, so I called the number they gave. They were busy. "Call back later."

I COULDN'T DO ONE THING ON MY COMPUTER. THEY HAD ME LOCKED!!

Now I do control, alt delete, and manage to close all windows and restart. First thing I did was run my malware program. They found nothing. Same with my security software. Nothing.

Then I get the call. They are calling me back. I said "If you are Microsoft, what is my name?" They didn't know. I said a few choice words and hung up. BUT I have my screenshot. I did crop it for public display, but I've got the full thing with the address bar to show to the REAL microsoft techs IF I need to contact them from their bonifide website contact info.

OK, one two three, repeat after me: Microsoft will never call you or email you a warning/threat. Same with the IRS, they will never call you or email a warning/threat. Keep repeating that.

Suzi, you probably caught that when downloading something else in the past, and perhaps not immediate past. I am surprised that your malware program didn't catch it. Maybe you need an upgrade.

@sushipup1, DH is pretty cheap about upgrading malware, etc., but when he hears about this, he just may buy an upgrade. I'm online a lot because I enter a lot of contests. I often win and I love to win :-) The upgrade might be a necessity!!

suzi, the appearance of your screen shot suggests you have some kind of malware on that machine. Try downloading the free version of Malwarebytes, it's effective.

Going forward, I suggest you can prevent future problems by 1) getting a better security program than you're currently using, and 2) making sure users on this PC are more careful about what type of sites they go to and what they do on them.

Elmer, I do use Malwarebytes. The free version. But it didn't find anything. Says I have no issues. Thinking of paying them for the real deal. DH is now home and is going to run it by our IT guy.

As soon as I rebooted, it went away. Been online all morning. No problems since early this AM.

I am sending the real screenshot, complete with web address to the REAL Microsoft Tech folks. Dudes probably already changed their web address, but won't hurt if Microsoft knows about them.