I had to laugh

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Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 3:12 pm

Last night I received a phone call at home from someone with a heavy (sounded African) accent. He told me he was from Microsoft and needed to speak with me about my computer. (I have read about phishing calls that tell you they need to help you with some Windows issue and try to get your passwords, etc.).

I was a little thrown off (was expecting either a recorded message since we get them frequently, or a wrong number). I could not help myself but I just burst out laughing into the phone. All I could muster between laughs was "Really?". The guy got mad and said "Yes, really!". I kept laughing and he ended up hanging up on ME. (I didn't even get to the point where I got to tell him I have an Apple....

)

Anyone else get one of these calls?

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 4:07 pm

I have, they are pathetic. Unfortunately people do fall for them.

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 4:53 pm

After I hung up my wife asked who called and I told her. She said, "You could really have had some fun with him." (I do not discuss baiting with her and did not want to explain how it would not be safe baiting since he called our house).

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 7:41 pm

Funny!!!

You could get some joy out of it by playing dumb and basically wasting a lot of their time (safely). Unfortunately, that would have to be traded off with the fact that once they realized there was someone at your number to talk to they'd never stop calling.

These types of calls are one of the main reasons we never answer the land line anymore. Anyone with anything of import will leave a message...

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 7:52 pm

What's this "land line" you speak of?

Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2014 2:14 am

Have had it at work. We don't use computers at work.

For those curious types, Luddites R Us.

Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2014 6:34 am

I have an abacus, it might need some new beads though, do the help desk people deal with that?

Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2014 7:01 am

^Try going to China, or see the others, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abacus

Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2014 12:56 pm

bware419ers wrote:

What's this "land line" you speak of?

That's what I have. I don't have a cell phone.

So far as those phone calls from "Microsoft," I always play with the caller for as long as I can before finally telling them I'm on a Mac.

Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2014 3:32 pm

If you want to hear someone truly "messing" with a (real) telemarketer. (slightly NSFW)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIVfrBFc5og

Master of Master Baiters Joined: 13 Jan 2014 Posts: 698

My modality is to immediately 'believe' every word they say, tell them I'll need to 'pop upstairs' to the computer room, spend as much time as I can 'climbing' endless stairs and walking endless corridors, eventually 'arriving' at the 'computer room', only to find the door is locked and I've left the keys downstairs. Back down we go, me chatting inanely all the time (that comes easily to me, anyway) begging them to 'stay with me'. Then starts the increasingly frantic search for keys and cursing either my housekeeper or secretary for 'always tidying things away'. Eventually the keys are located - usually somewhere where I'd already looked, the stairs are climbed, the corridors negotiated and the 'computer room' unlocked. Then I calmly ask which of my six assorted laptops or computers is the affected one. At this stage, they usually hang up... My record is 50 minutes.

Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2014 4:41 pm

^^ Wish I had thought of that.

Heard one the other day where a telemarketer called trying to get the person (a comedian) to sign up for a one year extension on something (magazine subscription I think). The comic told him he had just been diagnosed with terminal cancer and only had a few months to live. He ended up trying to sell the telemarketer some of his possessions (toasters, fans, etc.). The telemarketer kept trying to get off the call, but the guy kept going. Great to hear the tables turned.

Master of Master Baiters Joined: 13 Jan 2014 Posts: 698

^^^^^

Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2014 11:28 pm

Had the same thing happen a while back. Listened to his spiel and informed him that I am affiliated with an anti scam group, I know the routine, so be so kind as to go have sex with yourself. Surprisingly he just kept going and kept telling me I was mistaken, and I must listen. As he read his script I kept telling him what he would say next, but all he could do was tell me I just did not understand. After 15 minutes or so, he got exasperated and handed me to a "supervisor". Told him the same thing, and that I had told his man 15 minutes ago that knew it was a scam. He asked me if I had really told him that, and then hung up on me. Hope i cost someone his "job"

Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2014 1:10 am

I know people who have fallen for this Scam and it can be kinda costly. They gain full access to your Machinery and Credit cards and who knows what else.

I've had a few calls with them but sadly its always been when I've been a bit busy so I couldn't give them the proper Piles treatment. The last one culminated with the 'Supervisor' calling me a few choice names and telling me to get a job. It was a good half hour while my Machines booted though so I guess I can understand their frustration but honestly I didn't understand what they needed me to do. My Windows looked really clean to me....

Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2014 3:15 am

^^

The last call I had from the 'Microsoft Virus Detection Department' ended with me being scolded for my bad language. I did keep him on the line for over 30 mins while I supposedly waited for my computer to boot up and pretended to click on things.

This was just before I found Eater and started baiting. After playing along for most of that time, I couldn't help myself so I burned it and asked him if he thought I was an idiot or something along those lines. Then I scolded him for being a prick and scamming people. We traded insults while he acted appalled at my behavior because he was such a 'respectable' man working for Microsoft.

Now that I'm baiting I haven't received a single call. I'm ready though...

Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 11:18 pm

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=microsoft+scammers

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2014 12:01 am

Well, at least they got the name right. They used to say they were calling from Windows. Laughing

Sadly, they focus these scams on the elderly. My MIL's retirement community friends and neighbors are constantly being scammed by these bastards. When they called her they said they were from Windows. I busted a gut when they said that, then they hung up on me.