Any Computer tech gurus here ??

[Budnicks]

Computer Doctor's & Guru's... I had a strange call from supposedly a form of Microsoft Windows Support called Windows Best Tech Support, some guy with an India/Indian badly broken Indian/British accent knew my name & phone # & neither account is in my name or listed... I didn't let them do ****, but kept them on the line for a while asking them a bunch of questions, who & what they were, one of the harmless things they wanted me to do was press the windows flag key at the bottom left of the key board & the letter R & hold them down to bring up a window to access operating system files {I wasn't on-line at any time} type in Prefetch it had a window open that has all my operating system stuff & files, asked if any of the files were either Red or Blue or Yellow I think, none were, they wanted me to add some protection, supposedly because they have got a few error reports from me {I have sent a few error reports to Microsoft}, they claim I have been supposedly hacked in some form or another, the corruptions have supposedly gotten by the firewall & anti-virus protection & they supposedly say they can stop the hackers/corrupter's for good... The Persons name is Jordan Dennis, supposedly a supervisor from Windows Best Help, The # he gave me is 1-866-539-8674, my caller ID showed 1-212-512-2524 New York area... I said he couldn't do anything, until I checked them out, he is going to call me back Monday {I kind of doubt it}, they/he also said for the service {here's where I got really even more skeptical}, they will charge me for the service, for a tech to talk me thru the repairs to fix it, at a cost of between $50-$120, depending on how long it takes to fix, the supposed corruption/hacking, they claim it's some 60% of my system, how would they even know how much my system can handle or is, they knew I had Windows XP Pro operating system, my real name & phone #'s, that was kind of weird, since nothing is in my name, phone or INTERNET services, my computer yes... Anyone ever hear of anything like this, I tried to look up/Googled "Windows Best Help scams" on the INTERNET, I couldn't find any matching this one, usually if there is a common scam, I can find them there... Any computer gurus or experts have any insight on this, my computer has gotten considerably slower since the new up grade here on FBBO, I figured it's just allot more info, photo files stored & options etc. on the site or something, slowing down my old computer, my curiosity is going nuts now... Thanks in advance, for any insight...

 

[MarPar]

i smell a SCAM!!! ive never heard of "windows best help." if they do call back, keep picking their brain and see where it gets you. just DONT allow them to have a remote session to your machine and DONT pay them for ****.

if your computer is running slower, it may have a virus, or you just may have a lot of crap on your hard drive that slowing it down {**** cookies for example lmao}

try running a disk clean up; go to start menu-accessories-system tools- then do a disk cleanup and a disk defragment. it may take a while if you've never done it.

also, depending what anti-virus you are running, you may be able to do a system scan and clean it up that way.

if none of that works, you may just be better off wiping the computer completely and starting with a fresh operating system (you could just use the same XP Pro you have now, no need to buy new software).

sometimes it's a PITA {DAMHIK} if you have a lot of files, pics, documents; but my machine is running a helluva lot faster now. just make sure you backup all of your files (and your user acct--that has your desktop and your personal preferences) to an external device (a memory stick for example).

hope it helps Buds!!!

 

[Budnicks]

Mario: Yep I was thinking they were trying to scam me too, I don't ever let anyone remote connect ever, I'm not really computer tech savvy, but pretty savvy spotting what appears to be a scam & I will get a bunch of information, if this is a scam I will turn over what ever I can to who ever I need to, if they do call back ever, I will call a ligament windows tech source, Microsoft Help & support, to help with the slow computer maybe, I have done system clean up & defrags often, I've done the Virus scan too, nothing showing up, but I have noticed my computer slowing down a bunch, especially lately, this is the main site I visit, I get a few E-mails from several members, they are always scanned for viruses if they have a file or something added, I never open any E-mail I don't know who it is, & clear the spam **** all the time, really never open any of them either, I think I'm a pretty safe user mostly, not very tech savvy, I've only been using these things allot for the past few years, before getting on a couple forums, I only used it for billing, work & golf ****, not much Internet stuff, not much ****...LOL... I do some shopping on-line, for car parts mostly, always make sure they have a secure pay point, before I order anything, or use a credit card, I never do any banking or bills on-line thou, I don't trust the Internet for any of that personal type finance ****... I do have a very large photo storage file, probably 3000 photos of cars & parts, not much ****...LOL..., my system report shows I have like 67% still available room on the main disk, after defrag... thanks for any help...

 

[MarPar]

well, IDK then Buds. either way, i would backup all your files just in case. either a memory stick (some are called thumb drives) or an internet based backup like carbonite. ive been looking into the carbonite and it looks legit. and it's cheap too!! like $60 a year.

i bought this one a while back, and it works great. just copy and paste. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139584

i would open a case with Microsoft help and support before these guys call back and get them involved. Microsoft is really good bout that kind of stuff. they'll investigate it on your behalf and see what the deal is.

one other thing you can try is a registry cleanup program. it prob help some, but it may not be the silver bullet.

 

[Budnicks]

Thanks Mario, I will for sure get Microsoft Support involved, I'm in cyber spy mode now...LOL...

 

[MarPar]

LOL!! good man!

 

[Meep-Meep]

I'm no cornputer guru but I don't like the sound of this. I did some investigatin' for ya and came up with this: Check out what it says about the 212 number -
http://800notes.com/forum/ta-614c017897265d6/scam-calls-using-the-mcgraw-hill-companies

And the middle paragraph here -
http://wmskamfm.com/wordpress/2012/09/local-news-91812/

http://phonenotes.org/2125122524

And straight from the horses mouth -
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...one-call/6de833bd-da25-4aed-826f-7173989750d8

Info about prefetch. I never heard of this myself but here is an explanation -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prefetcher

Next time they call I'd unplug the network cable!

 

[Budnicks]

Thanks Meeps, you beat me to it, I'm going to set the guy up for sure, he will be on the list, with the FBI & FCC & who ever else I can think of turning them over too....

 

[Meep-Meep]

I think I hear Hawaii five O music playing in the background. Book 'em Dano!

 

[YY1]

Yeh, I seriously doubt Microsoft has third party support companies cold calling individual users, offering to charge for services.

Interesting that they had your number, though.

...abd files in blue are compressed to save space, because they haven't been accessed in a certian ammount of time.

I'd run some of the better free download tools like spysweeper/spybot, adaware, and, dang, what's that other one????

Anyway, those will get you started.

 

[bigredbird]

Tech support never calls the customer first. It's hard enough getting them to answer the phone when the customer calls them!

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

lmao This is too funny, no one from MS would call you about your PC or OS lol Sounds like a software company hired a marketing company to try to talk you into some software you do not need and scam you into buying a multi years worth of upgrades that will not exist Next time they call grab a whistle and blow it in their ear hole over the phone then call them several thousand bad names laugh a lot them tell them you now know where they are from and the feds are on their way to pick them up. that's even if they are dumb enough to still on the line by then.

 

[67 coronet]

i was gonna say the same thing big red.no legit organization will call you first.it is the most common sign of a scam about to happen.

 

[Budnicks]

I figured as much... I'm not that gullable... I'm spreading the word, the weird thing was, I did send Microsoft a few error reports & did talk to a tech guy at the legit Microsoft help/support center... This freaken' a--hole Manhattan, N.Y. based scammer con-man f--k Jordan Dennis, from Windows Best, had my name & phone #, which is also kind of pretty weird, because the phone or Internet service isn't even in my name &/or even listed.. Pretty crafty deceitful **** to try to scam someone, I know there are people that can get almost anything over the w-w-w/Internet, I use it doing research on people or companies all the time, it's amazing what stuff you can do with a little information.... Thanks for all the help guys/gals... I have opened a file & case with the FBI Cyber Crimes, FCC, Microsoft, Verison the guys land line company, and others, because it's across state lines, it's considered a FELONY &/or federal offense, not just a misdemeanor... Book'em Budnicks...LOL...

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

I figured as much... I'm not that gullable... I'm spreading the word, the weird thing was, I did send Microsoft a few error reports & did talk to a tech guy at the legit Microsoft help/support center... This freaken' a--hole Manhattan, N.Y. based scammer con-man f--k Jordan Dennis, from Windows Best, had my name & phone #, which is also kind of pretty weird, because the phone or Internet service isn't even in my name &/or even listed.. Pretty crafty deceitful **** to try to scam someone, I know there are people that can get almost anything over the w-w-w/Internet, I use it doing research on people or companies all the time, it's amazing what stuff you can do with a little information.... Thanks for all the help guys/gals... I have opened a file & case with the FBI Cyber Crimes, FCC, Microsoft, Verison the guys land line company, and others, because it's across state lines, it's considered a FELONY &/or federal offense, not just a misdemeanor... Book'em Budnicks...LOL...

Just remember this, and this goes for everyone in every similar situation, when you call into any business that is legit and give them your name address etc. you are now on a list, those lists get sold for big big $$$$$$ by marketing companies who then use them as bait / tools to get companies to use them to sell goods and services by calling or mailing their junk to you. Always ask to be removed from the list it does not guarantee you will be but at least you have it on record that you asked. And remember you are not required by anyone to give anything to anyone f them.

 

[Budnicks]

Bigman thanks, I'm well aware of how names & #'s lists are used for marketing purposes, I usually don't give anyone any information & always ask to not be put on, or request to be removed from any & all, Call, Spam/E-mail or USPS mailing/marketing list, with any company, I always opt-out with my credit card company, or any banking, sharing info too, also with all the companies, I usually deal with, especially the ones on-line...

 

[coronet500]

check out this article......

http://windowssecrets.com/top-story/watch-out-for-microsoft-tech-support-scams/

 

[Budnicks]

check out this article......

http://windowssecrets.com/top-story/watch-out-for-microsoft-tech-support-scams/

That link pretty much covers it, sounds really like the same scam/con, I didn't fall for it, I didn't give any access to the computer or any personal information... spreading the word...

 

[coronet500]

Malwarebytes is a good anti-malware tool. Free to download and use.