Claudia Calleja
‘Delete those suspicious e-mails or hang up phone’
If in doubt, opt out. Microsoft has warned customers not to fall for scam callers claiming to be from a Windows 7 security centre. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Microsoft Malta received about 20 reports from people who were targeted by fraudsters pretending to be computer security officers from the global software giant, a company spokesman has said.
The Times reported last week that fraudsters, claiming to be phoning from a Windows 7 security centre in Malta, inform victims that their computer has contracted a virus. They then guide their victims through fixing the situation with the intention of infiltrating into the computer and stealing personal information such as banking details.
Fraudsters may also ask for credit card details.
Jacqueline Harvey, from Microsoft Malta, said this was an “outright and harmful scam”.
Microsoft never ran any form of diagnostics tests over the phone and never sought to sell any of its products to individual customers over the phone, she insisted.
“Cybercriminals often use the names of well-known companies, like ours, in their scams, thinking it will persuade people to give them money or their personal financial information,” she added.
This is known as “phishing”, a way of attempting to acquire information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity.
“While they usually use e-mail to trick you, they sometimes use the telephone instead. Moreover, it is definitely not in Microsoft’s style to send an e-mail telling you that you have won the Microsoft lottery... or that Microsoft requires credit card information to validate your copy of Windows,” she said, referring to another Microsoft-related scam in which people were informed via e-mail that they had won a lottery.
She cautioned against using Windows software that was not genuine because users would not be able to install regular updates against viruses, spyware and other evil software available though the company’s website.
“There is only one thing that you can do whenever you receive an unsolicited e-mail message or phone call that purports to be from Microsoft and asks that you send personal information or click links: delete the message or hang up the phone,” added Ms Harvey, who urged the public never to give out sensitive personal details.
Available Microsoft tools to report a suspected scam
Internet Explorer: While on a suspicious site, click the Safety button or Menu in Internet Explorer 8 and point to Smart Screen Filter. Then click Report Unsafe Website and use the webpage displayed to report the website.
Hotmail: If you receive a suspicious e-mail message that asks for personal information, click the check box next to the message in the Hotmail inbox. Click Mark As and then point to Phishing scam.
Microsoft Office Outlook: Attach the suspicious e-mail message to a new e-mail message and forward it to reportphishing@antiphishing.org.
You can also download the Microsoft Junk E-mail Reporting Add-in for Microsoft Office Outlook.
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janice SHELLER
Dec 26th 2011, 11:17
Thanks for the heads up! Been reading about the scam in the news. There's no stopping these disgusting scammers. They never ran out of tricks.
Got a call like that a few days ago and I can say, the man was a professional. He said all the right words, was very polite and very knowledgeable about computers. Had I not known about this Microsoft scam, I would have fallen for the scam right away. You see, I did have a broken PC. But I thought better and told him I was recording the call and the police will surely hear of what he has to say, The man hung up. See?
Well, it's a good thing there are telephone scams watchdog sites such as http://www.callercenter.com where I can post the phone number I got from that scammer. If they're out scamming, people need to be aware.
Pamela Hansen
Dec 20th 2011, 09:17
I got one of those phone calls. I told the caller he could be anyone and there was no way I was going to let him guide me on my computer. If I had a virus I would contact my local provider I told him and hung up.
Doris Filer
Dec 20th 2011, 00:04
What if one were to use a DHCP- Dynamic host IP, would that be any good i wonder, i don't know i am just asking if anyone can shed any light on this one
DannyBoy BartoloJr.
Dec 20th 2011, 20:09
That might be a good idea cause then the address will alternate and any fraudster will not be able to trace or keep up with a different ip address. same kind of system when one want to watch British tv on the BBCIPlayer an expat shield is used where by a different ip address is used everytime as if one is still ln the UK watching local British tv.
Stefan Debattsita
Dec 19th 2011, 15:58
Maybe go mobiles directory should only be available to Maltese IP addresses.
A Stafrace
Dec 19th 2011, 15:10
i received a call last week, where the female caller claimed i had downloaded some unauthorized programs and that i needed her help to fix it.
She claimed she was calling from the UK but.. this female had a russian/bulgarian accent.
Mr Joseph Huber
Dec 19th 2011, 14:59
In my case I asked "what's your interest to make an overseas telephone call to inform about this?.. and he hung up immediately.
Jo Camm
Dec 19th 2011, 14:33
I received a call from 3105999211, pretending to be Maltese and wanted me to go on my computer to check for viruses. Instead I cut off the line. Thanks Microsoft, for keeping us informed.
Carl Debono
Dec 19th 2011, 13:44
They called me too at home two weeks ago. number originated from Djibouti ( in Africa) since the prefix was +00253. He told me that he was from microsoft and i had a virus in my pc. Since i do know about pcs , I told him that i do not have any virus and his immediate reply was ' OK BYE' and hanged up immediatly.
David Robinson
Dec 19th 2011, 13:20
This is so true. Last week I recieved a phone call like this one, and they asked for me by name. The person told me that he works with microsoft and that my computer was sending error messages to the server. Then he told me to switch on the pc so that he can give me some code nos to insert in the system to fix it. He sounded very convincing but I did not believe him. When he realised that I was not buying it he hung up. I advised microsoft immediately.
R Malia
Dec 19th 2011, 13:20
The idiot called me last month... as stated here he said that Microsoft have recorded suspicious activity from my PC. As a comp savvy person, I asked him which OS am I running? He told me we can't identify that, i told him I am running MAC OS... he literally hung up on me.
M Abdilla
Dec 19th 2011, 13:20
This happened to me! I seriously do not know how people actually fall for this...If they do call, just keep them on the line :) They're paying in the end and it's long distance.
Jimmy Magro
Dec 19th 2011, 13:13
Does the Microsoft Junk E-mail Reporting Add-in for Microsoft Live Mail exist?
O Schembri
Dec 19th 2011, 13:06
I received a call as well from this fraudster about a week ago.
James Tyrrell
Dec 19th 2011, 12:59
I'm fast reaching the point where I believe that the people who fall for these scams deserve all they get simply for being so stupid. As PT Barnum said, 'never give a sucker an even break."
Mr Louis Bartoli
Dec 19th 2011, 12:40
Just an hour ago I was one of the lucky ones, sic, who received a call from Microsoft! I just hang up.
James Tyrrell
Dec 20th 2011, 00:30
I have a better idea Louis. Keep a CD player or tape player beside the phone with something like Green Sleeves on it. Ask them to hold and switch on the CD!