I just got a call [Friday, Jan. 17] from an unidentified number claiming to be someone calling about my Microsoft Windows program. The caller had a heavy accent.
I told her I have no Windows products and hung up, because I have work to do, but I realized that I have been reading a lot about phishing scams using this line of approach and wanted to warn our fellow islanders — here we go again.
These folks reportedly ask for various identification information, and are up to no good. (Microsoft generally doesn’t do cold-calling.)
Peg Manning
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Microsoft NEVER EVER EVER does cold-calling. You did just the right thing … even if you had Microsoft Windows AND it was malfunctioning. This IS a scam.
I’ve heard of this one too, recently, in which the caller says there is something disastrous about to happen with your computer,the idea being that you must call him (or her) to fix it.
Another one I dislike is purportedly from the state assn. of retired law enforcement officers. One way to answer calls of this ilk is to respond by saying you never give through phone solicitations, and ask to have printed material sent to you. That isnt necessarily more reliable,but at least gives you a chance to check them out via BBBs.