Microsoft scammers on your network

“This is Microsoft technical support…”

From the error reports they reveal to the technical jargon they use, it’s hard not to believe the call is authentic.

But whatever you do, don’t fall for the scam.

In warning others of the Microsoft support hoax, Rishi Nanan and Sumeet Singh explained how they were caught, and almost fell complete victim, to scammers.

Their concern is the con artists have Newcastle in the crosshairs.

Sharing his experience, Mr Nanan explained he was at work two weeks ago, when a call came from a number listed as ‘out of area’.

A polite Indian woman on the other end asked for the owner.

Owing to work commitments, Mr Nanan passed the phone to his colleague, Mr Singh, who began speaking with the caller.

The woman then transferred the call to ‘technical support’.

“The call was transferred to a man who said he was Microsoft support and that our files were corrupt.”

As part of the ruse, the ‘technician’ asked Mr Singh to input a number of commands, which if followed opens up a list of errors on the current computer.

This step is used by the scammers to convince the unwitting ‘mark’.

Computer experts have explained the highlighted errors are harmless reports which can include a programme not opening correctly or a device not removed safely.

Scammers rely on the user to view these errors as an epidemic.

“He then told me to log onto a website and click a button. This gave him access to the computer.”

It was at this point the so-called technician changed his attitude, from a helpful ‘employee of Microsoft’ to that of a stone-cold salesman.

He threateningly advised Mr Singh to purchase anti-hacking software for hundreds of dollars.

Now with full control of the PC, the ‘technician’ logged onto a payment page and insisted Mr Singh fill in banking details and authorise payment for the software.

“When I hesitated, he got aggressive and promised to block the computer for good.”

At this point, Mr Nanan was listening in on the conversation and realised the choice was between a blocked PC or allowing the scammers to scalp money from the business.

In a panic, he called a local IT technician.

“The IT guy said it was a hoax and advised we cut the call. By this time the PC was frozen and required a password to use.”

In the days since the scam took effect, Mr Nanan explained the PC had been formatted and the operating system software deleted.

He has also since contacted Microsoft to report his experience.

“We hope to create some awareness – it seems the scam targets area codes and we are worried others in Newcastle are going to get caught out.”

Describing the scammers as very persistent and able to convince a mark through simple PC commands, Mr Nanan cautioned others in the same situation to cut the call immediately.

This advice has been mirrored by experts on the Internet.

In a formal press statement distributed and published on its website, Microsoft South Africa spokesperson, Ashleigh Fenwick warned computer users the scammers are using public phone directories as sources to gather information on targets.

She added Microsoft would not cold call a consumer with regard to malfunctioning PCs or viruses.

“In the rare instance where Microsoft might contact consumers directly, the called will be able to verify the existence of a current customer relationship.”

Tips on the scam have been given as follows:

· Do not purchase software or services over the telephone;

· If there is a fee associated with the service, hang up;

· Never authorise remote control of a PC to a third party, unless they can confirm the third party is a legitimate representative of a computer support team, with whom they are already a customer;

· If a caller is acting suspicious, take down their information and report this to the SAPS; and

· Never provide credit card or financial information to someone claiming to be from Microsoft tech support.

For more information, contact the local Microsoft offices on 011 361 9000.