Senior Citizens: Is this a common scam?

Nice of you to warn others.

I get similar calls almost every week, sometimes twice a week, from various 'husslers'.

I just put down the phone as soon I realise who it is.

Very annoying.

Take care

Scary phone calls about PC viruses are becoming quite common. There are now also scams that take advantage of the confusion about Obamacare as well. Some other scams targeting the elderly are described here: http://www.conciergecarefl.com/worst-scams-targeti...

Yes we have had the same calls,with Indian accents.I usually deal with nuisance phone calls by politely telling them (before they get into full flow) that I don't discuss any sales talk over the phone and I am putting the phone down .This particular crew are quite agressive so the only answer is to just hang up.

Yes. I managed to keep a bunch going for over two hours the other day. Normally, they all have strong Indian accents, with names like 'Roger'.

They start off by telling you how to start up your browser, then go to a site where you can download one of the free 'remote access' apps. which are available on the internet. Then they ask you to start it up and give you the connection number which it displays.

If you only run windows through a virtual machine, and also change a couple of digits in the code, you can annoy them for a while. After they give up on your operating system, they try and sell you anti-virus applications, but they are half-hearted about that. Expect further phone calls from the same people claiming to be operating on behalf of the government and offering to help you reclaim money for illegally charged credit card insurance etc.

The funny thing was, one of their operators became so frustrated he seemed to be getting tearful, and against my better nature I ended up trying to cheer him up. They passed me between 5 of their operators, all of whom started back at the beginning, having failed to check on what was happening from the previous ones.

~

@Malky, neither Net-protect nor McAffee will help if you do as these people suggest - which is to install a remote access app. and configure it to let them in!

Wow, that's a new one, and Yes, a TOTAL Scam. Like Hell! Remote access to your computer! I don't think so! Of course they will phone from an unavailable number. Good For You, don't fall for that baloney.

Never give anyone your details, especially if it's over the phone, and if they seem suspicious in any way. Do some extensive research into the company. If they were valid, they would not hide their number, research them and email them, informing them of a scam.

I have had several calls claiming -

1. we have been asked by your internet provider to look at a problem

2. our records show that your PC has a problem

3. your computer is running slow

to all these calls I reply get lost or words to that effect

BT can stop these calls at no cost to you , next time yu get a call like this .say you have made an error , this is the Freud office would you like to tell me more , we have your number on screen now , otherwise go slip into something more comfy , like a coma !!!

That's the dumbest bunko scheme I've ever heard of. It must take those poor sweat-shop slaves in India thousands of calls before they connect with someone so befuddled as to fall for the con. And even then, their masters are unlikely to be able to steal more than a few hundred bucks. Imagine how little those telephone thieves are paid. Probably two or three rupees per year.

I suggest you obtain caller ID.

I only answer my phone if the calling number is known to me.

I figure my phone is here for my convenience, not for the edification of any Tom, Dick, or Harry with a scheme to make money at my expense.