Virtual PC Secure

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FlatspinZA

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So my client gets this random call last night - he's 70-odd and not so techno-literate. Sir, your PC is in danger of crashing, look at your computer and we will show you. So they show him a whole lot of danger signs and exclamation marks. $279 later and they did some stuff on his computer - to be precise, emptied his frikkin recycle bin, cleared his cache, and a whole bunch of heavily technical sounding, but arb, stuff.

Stupid woman at the bank says he can't reverse the charge - ever heard of CPA, anyone? I told him to cancel the card, but get the transaction reversed first.

Anyway, then I tell him to phone CC division, tell them what happened, and they say send 3 emails requesting cancellation, and then they can reverse the charges.

I wish I could make money like that.
 
PsyWulf said:
No curing stupid
Click to expand...

I don't even think you can call it 'stupid'. Millions of people have no clue what is happening with IT, especially the older generation. They could probably teach you a thing or two about hunting, and fishing. We're the new generation - don't expect them to have a clue.
 
They phoned me as well, they point you to the event viewer to show you all the problems that your computer has. They then point you to a website where they want to gain remote access of your machine.

I am not sure what they proceed to do after that but if would be best to have a look at your client's machine as they might have installed malicious software e.g. key-loggers etc.
 
Park@82 said:
They phoned me as well, they point you to the event viewer to show you all the problems that your computer has. They then point you to a website where they want to gain remote access of your machine.

I am not sure what they proceed to do after that but if would be best to have a look at your client's machine as they might have installed malicious software e.g. key-loggers etc.
Click to expand...

I had a cursory squizz, and it doesn't look like he has anything malicious running. I had to sort out a dying dog so I didn't really have time for a better look. The site looks very Mickey-Mouse'ish. I'll pop around over the weekend and make sure he doesn't have funny stuff happening. Kinda upsets me that he is willing to fork out close to $300 to get something sorted and I have never charged him a cent because he is a friend of my GF, but I'd rather just help him and live with a clear conscience.
 
FlatspinZA said:
I don't even think you can call it 'stupid'. Millions of people have no clue what is happening with IT, especially the older generation. They could probably teach you a thing or two about hunting, and fishing. We're the new generation - don't expect them to have a clue.
Click to expand...

Luddites ganna luddite.
 
Hello to all following this thread.
Taking advantage of anyone is not an age related thing although the more technically challenged often includes the elderly and they will often part with their dwindling supply of money in exchange for assistance that is genuinely shoddy and poor.
Apart from taking advantage of someone it really shows the company doing it in a poor light and the opportunity to name and shame them is all to often not an option.

So a general word of advice to all out there. Remind our older friends that the line of your PC is at risk is a good example of a con artist almost as bad as the person offering to assist at the ATM. Don't take up the offer but rather consult with someone in person.

Regards

Tim
 
These criminals should be brought to justice, it’s a blind straight-out scam and they are hurting the industry.

If all of us collect what proof we can we may be able to establish a trend.

BTW, how many of your clients got knocked right after interaction with Telkom in some way or another? Three of mine reported communication with Telkom or Telkom Related dead ADSL connections a matter of a day or two before being scammed or attempted, and the caller knew there was trouble at just the right time.
 
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