HACKED!? I received a call that said my computer had been hacked. Is this true or a scam? Do they really call to tell you this? Please help?

Question

I received a call saying that my computer had been sending many error messages & that they could help me. He said that he was calling from PC support. He told me that the hackers had stolen certificates of my computer & that soon my computer would stop working. He also said that they had stolen my Windows certificate & that it was not valid anymore. That in order to help me, I needed to buy a new certificate code from them.

That if I didn't buy the code from them in that instant I wasn't going to be able in the future & the only form of payment is a bank account. I don't no about certificates or much about those things so I don't know if what he telling me is true. He told me that because I had been hacked it didn't matter if I erased everything on my computer and reinstalled it or buy a new computer the hackers could get access to it again if I didn't buy the certificate with them right in that instant.

That even taking it with someone to fix it would not help because the hackers already have my codes and IP address and they could get access to my computer, phones, and tablets again.

Is this true? What exactly does it mean when someone gets hacked? What can the hackers do? I said I couldn't afford $400 for a certificate. Is any of the information that person gave me true about not being able to get rid of them even with a new computer? Is this a scam? Do they really call for this?

I know I have many questions but I really need information. Please help.

Answer 1

Is the call purporting to be from Microsoft? If so it is definitely a scam. Don’t ever believe these kind of scams. Even I got a call from Microsoft for about 2 weeks continuously telling me that my system has virus and my PC has been hacked. The most important thing is that no branded company would ever call you and tell you that you have been infected or hacked. Best solution for this is to hang up the call with this scammer. Now a days, cyber criminals have started calling innocent people to gain victim’s trust to steal private information such as netbanking, gmail IDs, passwords and so on. Better to stay away from these kind of frauds. To stay away you should have basic PC security that would hide you from hackers and scammers. Use a personal firewall and make sure that you always pay your bills at restaurants and so on that have Point of Sale Security from SecureBox.

Answer 2

Definitely a scam! Whenever you're contacted by anyone that insists you need to purchase software, a certificate, or a pass-code from them immediately because your computer has been hacked, that is a scam to relieve you of your money! Usually the purpose of hacking into a computer is to get information from the victim's computer, so the last thing a hacker wants you to know is the fact that your computer has been compromised and your information is vulnerable. Forget about this incident, run your anti virus software to be certain, and be careful of links you visit.

Answer 3

Scam

Answer 4

Secret Computer Attracting Money stand for scam

Answer 5

The person you were on the phone with is part of a scam company. You most likely dont even have a virus on your computer, if you do, take it to a local computer repair shop and they will completely remove it for you for under 40 bucks.

Answer 6

This would be a scam. If they are trying to get your details then its fake and they are trying to hack you. This is the same with internet calls. They yap on and just hang up on them.

Answer 7

it's a long running scam

Watch and read what would have happened had you allowed these scammers to access your computer

http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-04/11/malwarebytes



You would never get a call if you computer was hacked.

Answer 8

Yes its a scam. I v got those calls dude, many times. They say they r from Microsoft and ur comp has a problem. They want u to download a legit soft to remotely access ur comp and give them ur id from that soft. Then they can do whatever they want. It actually worns u on this softs page not to share ur id. I v been talkin to them and playin stupid. Had lots of fun gettin them mad. Be very careful. If it seems fishy or too good to b true, its likely a scam

Answer 9

NOBODY will call or email you to tell you that. First it is totally illegal for ANYONE to collect personal information from your machine. So no reputable company would ever know who the machine belonged to even if they saw signs of a problem with it. Also, how would they know your phone number unless you stored it on your computer. So it is a scam. NEVER respond to such calls or give them any information.

Answer 10

SCAM.

I guess they had indian accent for sure. BUT DO NOT Install any software, DO NOT go to any webpages that they are telling you. First of all they will tell you to install TeamViewer, and i guess you already know what does that software do.

They will do a remote connection to your PC, then they will install malicious programs, keyloggers to STEAL all of your PERSONAL info/data, that includes, bank account numbers, passwords...

STAY SAFE from these fake calls, scams by not downloading/installing anything.



REPORT SCAM:



https://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/phishing-scams.aspx

Answer 11

do not believe people saying but use a anti virus program to scan your PC, finding out whether it has been hacked. i recommend you the UPCleaner, it is a free software but has all security function that protects your computer perfectly. as an antivirus software, it can monitor your computer and scan it to find all virus and malware, delete them and make your PC safe and responding faster. also, it offers service of browser cookie cleaning and privacy information protection, making sure that your private account and password would not be stolen. it also has function such as router protection, wifi helper and etc. if you wanna change the disgusting anti virus program, try UPCleaner. i'm sure you will like it.

Answer 12

Scam hang up they usually have a foreign accent with badly broken English Paki/Indian another red flag is quality of the phone call do you hear crackling sounds in the background or it sounds like he's talking to you from really far away? he's on one of those free services online that allows calls to landlines.

Answer 13

SCAM..... I get gentlemen with Indian accents calling every week telling me that my computer is slow, been hacked, gonna blowup or turn into a weir wolf..... They never usually get passed the Ahhh Mr........

Answer 14

yea its just a scam , first you cant exactly steal a windows certificate... second the moment someone asks for your bank account on the phone is a red zone. thirdly no one calls you if they found a hacker or something like that (email dosent count either). there are no hackers btw just ignore annything like that and be sure to warn your friends and family if they arent too tech savy as you wouldnt want them to get scammed do you

Answer 15

It is a scam - Do not give them access to your computer or you will be instructed to pay them to fix it, what they do is infect your computer and then demand money to correct it.

A big scam - I have had it happen to me - My Win 7 was trashed - Bad bad people.

Answer 16

100% Scam. Please ignore them with all future regards. The more conversations you have with this "computer support centre", the more information you will leak. Watch which sites you visit and what you download. They don't know anything about windows authenticity codes internet protocol versions and "codes". They sound very dumb. Don't trust them.



Depending on your operating system, you can check the authenticity of your OS yourself, In PC settings or search on your computer "Windows Activation" or something similar.

Answer 17

It is actually a scam which attempt to swindle money out of you. You should never be cheated.

Answer 18

Do not answer any phone calls! Do not, whatever you do, give them any access to your pc. While on the phone, pull the network cable out to be sure!

No one will ring you to help you. If you want help, you have to do the ringing. The only people ringing you offering to help will be bad people.

Answer 19

It a scam message.avoid it.

Answer 20

Search the number on truecaller,maybe you will notice that many people already blocked that number and reported it as spam! If you dont know how to use truecaller, just google it!!or ask back!!

Answer 21

Definitely a scam! . same scammers that say thy from Microsoft and say you have a virus ... lol

Answer 22

It is a scam.



See...



http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/online-privacy/avoid-phone-scams.aspx

Answer 23

no one is ever going to call you up to report to you about any failure of your computer, nor your can opener either. Best is to require the exact company name, its affiliation , note the phone number or require it, then report it to the police.

Answer 24

it's a scam,please don't fall for it.

Answer 25

scam scam scam spotted !!!

Answer 26

SCAM NEVER FALL FOR THESE JUST EXIT AND PRETEND IT WASNT THERE

Answer 27

dont belive that dude