Wondering if this is a scam?

Question

So, back in November of 2016, I received a call from people with indian accents claiming that they represented windows and that they detected problems on my computer. I had heard about these kind of scams, so I didn't believe them at first. So I asked them a few questions to "make sure" they were legit. But long story short, they were allowed remote access to my computer and showed me that there were an excess amount of hackers and viruses on my computer. They suggested a few packages to fix whatever the problem was, and I chose a $90 dollar one that I would pay in 3 installments. They even gave me a confirmation code so that if they called me back I could be safe, which made me think it was legit. However, they haven't contacted me by email even though the payment was supposed to be due already. I looked up virus scams and found out that it's rare that companies randomly cold call non-clients, so I'm suspicious about that. The website is www.goinsta247.com, and they were called Insta Solutions (Though I also looked up insta solutions and I was taken to an entirely different website.) So is this a legitimate company or have I been scammed? And furthermore, should I continue to pay for whatever service I signed up for or should I cancel my card to prevent identity theft?

Answer 1

This is a very common scam. Microsoft will never call you. Nor will a phone number appear on your screen legitimately, unless you're expecting it. So you got scammed. Just don't fall for it again. Ive heard of some losing a lot more money.

This is a standard thing. They will call you or you will call them after seeing a phone number pop up in a browser window that you can't close (easily). They will claim that there are all kinds of things wrong with your computer, (Seriously, if they called you how do they know it's your phone number. There is no connection there.) They will say you've been hacked, there are people in some foreign country using your IP address and trick you into letting them remote into your computer. They will then take you to some site where you will see hacker's address and location, or simply pull up legitimate things that look scary to non-savvy user, and say that there are so many things wrong. They may also install malware that looks like it's scanning your computer but it's just saying that there are all kinds of problems.

It's a major problem and you hear these stories all the time in the tech world. But all you can do is feel sorry for the poor suckers who fall for it.

Answer 2

Its a scam. 9 times out of 10 if its some dude with an indian accent its a scam. Ive seen all the youtube videos and they all always happen to be an indian person scamming

Answer 3

Total scam

Answer 4

I'm afraid you were the victim of a scam! I probably get 6 of these phone calls every year. Believe me when I tell you that Microsoft will never call you before you would have any contact with them about a Windows software problem. It just doesn't happen! Unfortunately these people now have your credit card information which can and would likely be used for other purposes. What you should do is immediately contact your credit card issuer and tell them what you did. Ask them to cancel that credit card account and issue a new card. Then be alert of any fraudulent charges on the old credit card number to your account, so you can contact the bank or other credit issuer of the original credit card to report the fraudulent charges. They will investigate the card charges you indicate and give credit to your old account if the card charges are found to be fraudulent. If you check out any of the phone numbers these people are tied to, you'll find that all of them are scams.

Answer 5

It's a scam.

Answer 6

I had the same thing during November. It started with a pop up and had a number, so out of curiosity I called it. Same story. It is hard enough to call Microsoft and get to talk to someone, so I knew it was a scam. People are doing the same scam claiming to be the IRS and that you are being sued or taken to court.

Answer 7

Total scam!

Answer 8

Course it's a scam

Answer 9

This is a scam. Just scam them

Back. I played along with all false details then i said i was an fbi agent and i was track their location and told them the indian swat team were on their way to their house. Was hilarious.

Answer 10

They will call you or you will call them after seeing a phone number pop up in a browser window that you can't close (easily). They will claim that there are all kinds of things wrong with your computer, (Seriously, if they called you how do they know it's your phone number. There is no connection there.) They will say You've been hacked, there are people in some foreign country using your IP address and trick you into letting them remote into your computer. They will then take you to some site where you will see hacker's address and location, or simply pull up legitimate things that look scary to non-savvy user, and say that there are so many things wrong. They may also install malware that looks like it's scanning your computer but it's just saying that there are all kinds of problems.

Answer 11

I got called by an indian women regarding my PC, I believe it's a scam

Answer 12

It's a scam. Next time you get a call like that just hang up on them

Answer 13

This is a scam, it is not genuine. Microsoft will never call you. These scams are designed to gain remote access to a person's computer without their knowledge and/or install viruses which can lead to identity theft, etc. Don't be tricked.

Answer 14

Yes this is a scam

Answer 15

Oh, yes. This is a scam. Think about it. How could someone remotely "detect" a problem with your computer and then require you to give them access to that computer? You need to stop payment. You also need to get some help to reset your computer and ALL of your passwords. These people know have access to EVERYTHING on your computer and could, at least in theory, track your keystrokes to steal your credit card info, as well as see and use any information you have on that computer.



If you ever get this kind of call again, hang up and contact Microsoft Corporation (who own's Windows).

Answer 16

If you have to ask, it's probably a scam.



And as everyone has pointed out, Microsoft will never call.



And many scammers are in Indian areas or have Indian like accents...

Answer 17

I had the exact same scam happen to me. Same accent, same website, and same protocol. I purposely kept him on the phone and asked him annoying bogus questions to try and get him to slip. He did a few times. While I was asking him questions, I was looking into the number they called me on and stuff and it turned out it was a big scam. Once I found out it was a scam, I played with him for a bit.

Answer 18

A technical support scam (often abbreviated tech support scam) refers to class of telephone fraud activities, in which a scammer claims to offer a legitimate technical support service, often via cold calls to unsuspecting users. Such cold calls are mostly targeted at Microsoft Windows users, with the caller often claiming to represent a Microsoft technical support department. [ Read more: http://adfoc.us/39560661303263 ]



Hello dear Kristen,



Yes, this is in fact a scam! Microsoft will never call about you about your PC being infected.

This is a really common scam and has been reported various times, besides being reported on youtube with videos "trolling the scammers" and even dedicated channels to such ( http://adfoc.us/39560661300380 )



and YES, DO NOT CONTINUE TO PAY FOR SUCH.

Answer 19

No wondering required it is a scam. Now I have some responses. I don't own a computer, or I work for the FBI and if you don't cut it out I will get my friends on your case.

Answer 20

Definite scam! Contact the card issuer and put a STOP PAYMENT on this absurd charge. Legitimate computer security firms will be up-front initially, and not expect you to sell your soul and identity to them for their criminal intentions. Evasiveness is your first clue about a scam, including using CALL BLOCK to hide their location.

Answer 21

"So, back in November of 2016, I received a call from people with indian accents claiming that they represented windows and that they detected problems on my computer."



That is when I stopped reading, because that is when I knew it was a scam. They tried that on me. Microsoft is never going to call you.

You have been scammed...For sure.

Answer 22

Looks like a scam to me!!! you should download McAfee (Its a thing that blocks malicious sites and its really great!) then go to there package downloads..if McAfee brings up its warning then you shouldnt deal with this "tech support" anyway why would THEY CALL YOU!? shouldnt you be calling them?? talk about stalkerish! and if apple or any other popular device creator detected a "virus on your computer" they probally wouldnt tell you.. also if your computer is working normally this is most likely a scam i recommend to stay away...there site looks pretty phony if you ask me!

Answer 23

Definitely a scam. Windows will never call you. If you receive a call like this next time, do not fall into the trap. If you really want to make sure if your computer is OK, you can always call Microsoft .

Answer 24

I am almost certain this is a scam, check YouTube I'm sure I have heard of this scam before. Windows don't just ring you up

Answer 25

Definitely a scam, I would get a proper local computer technician to look at your machine as well, because they've probably also installed their own VNC client onto your machine. A VNC client allows people to log into your machine proper software like ShowMyPC creates a new password each time the computer restarts but custom VNC clients like they've probably installed as part of their fake security although it probably won't uninstall when you remove their fake security package allow them to login at any time they want and see your computer system, some even log your keyboard inputs and send things like passwords to the scammers. I would seriously get the computer properly checked over, or possibly reinstall Windows.

Answer 26

Yes it is a scam. I live in the UK and used to get those phone calls all the time, the only way to stop them, is to tell them that you no longer have a computer!

Answer 27

Scam, scam, scam. Cancel your card.

Answer 28

It was a scam brother

Answer 29

It is a scam

Answer 30

Hi

Answer 31

100% scam you must careful about who you talking with , don't give your cell number or home number to anyone who you don't know for long time , do not post your phone number on public network or your profiles and call your credit card company let them know what happened also ask for another card with different account number . if you do all this, you will be fine

Answer 32

oh, yeah... this is a scam... think about it... how could someone remotely "detect" a problem with your computer and then require you to give them access to that computer? you need to stop payment... you also need to get some help to reset your computer and all of your passwords... these people know have access to everything on your computer and could, at least in theory, track your keystrokes to steal your credit card info, as well as see and use any information you have on that computer...



if you ever get this kind of call again, hang up and contact microsoft corporation (who own's windows)...

Answer 33

Oh! Indian don't scam people huh

Answer 34

scam

Answer 35

Scam, I've gotten those calls too.

Answer 36

Cancel your credit card because they might be using it for Identity theft.

I doubt of you can get any money back. You might want to check your credit history.

As far as your computer, you need a local computer repair guy to fix it and change all of your passwords.

When I had a problem with my computer, it was me calling the software company that I bought my firewall software from. Yes I had a problem that I had to give the numbers I had with the paperwork to the person just to verify it was me and then give them remote access. They did repair the computer virus that was in inadvertently introduced to the computer.

The FBI has a cyber crime unit. You can visit their website at fbi.gov to file a complaint.

Answer 37

If it was a Phone Call - It was a SCAM - all of the are.

Answer 38

Pretty sure this is a scam

Answer 39

This is a scam. Update your security virus program.

Answer 40

scam

Answer 41

Sounds like a scam to me always go with your instinct. I have been a victim of a crime before thank god I came to my senses and prevented card fraud and possible identity fraud.

Answer 42

Yes this is a scam. You are lucky you didn't lose more money. Windows don't call you.

Answer 43

Windows is an operating system, not a corporation. Never give somebody who has contacted you remote access to your computer. It like letting a stranger into your house.

Restore your computer to before the phone call. Ask your credit card company/bank to reverse any payment.

Answer 44

Yes, you've been scammed.

Answer 45

Yes, you've been scammed.

Answer 46

Yeah its a scam and it can be kinda obvious

Answer 47

Its a scam google "Indian tech support scammers" and watch a few videos you will understand

Answer 48

believe me when i tell you that microsoft shall never call you before you would have any contact with them about a windows software problem... it just doesn't happen! unfortunately these people now have your credit card information which can and would likely be used for other purposes... what you should do is immediately contact your credit card issuer and tell them what you did... ask them to cancel that credit card account and issue a new card... then be alert of any fraudulent charges on the old credit card number to your account, so you can contact the bank or other credit issuer of the original credit card to report the fraudulent charges... they shall investigate the card charges you indicate and give credit to your old account if the card charges are found to be fraudulent... if you check out any of the phone numbers these people are tied to, you'll find that all of them are scams...

Answer 49

this is most definitely a scam

Answer 50

Yes

Answer 51

This is a scam. Definitely. No doubt about it. You will want to cancel your credit card and get whatever software they had you install removed.

Answer 52

Yes

Answer 53

Common scam, I m not sure how you fell for it.

Answer 54

Yes

Answer 55

It sure is a scam.

Answer 56

Yes...!!! Never give out any of your credit card information, internet provider (IP Address),home address or telephone number to anyone claiming to be computer support. No legit company such as Microsoft will call your home.

Answer 57

Four words. Big scam big time.

Answer 58

Your scammed, they faked the evidence and pulled your pants down

Answer 59

Microsoft will never contact you, same with the IRS scammers.



Most likely if they have an Indian accent with a extremely common first and last name..it's probably fake.

Answer 60

The simplist answer is.

Your computer isn't hooked up or connected to your phone at all. So when they say they detected something on your computer with this phone number. You ask them for the IP address and they'll just hang up on you.

Answer 61

ANY CALL FROM INDIA thats selling you BS is a scam!

Answer 62

Ob-viously.

Answer 63

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Answer 64

Companies will NEVER call you unless you call them!!!! It's good you never had to pay! Please be more carful from now on!! The virus and hackers could be legit, but if you need help go to Best Buy or some place like that to help you!! Never allow someone access to your computer remotely.

Answer 65

scam, they want to get access to your computer(without hacking)

hang up or just say 'no'

Answer 66

Yeah. When they call my brother and I usually mess with them and waste their time. I.e. we say it's taking a long time to load and start saying we can't find certain buttons, and finally reveal it at the end. A prank call that comes to you.

Answer 67

the 247 on the end of the site should have tipped you off, if the fact that windows actually CALLED you to talk about viruses didn't. BOI. Just stick to supporting Nigerian princes.

Answer 68

this is a classic scam.

Answer 69

Everyone stop calling him thick just don't do it again next time people might take all ur money out ur bank just watch out mate 👍🏼

Answer 70

Yup

Answer 71

if it was a phone call - it was a scam - all of the are...

Answer 72

avoid them. it is a scam.

Answer 73

Nah bruha

Answer 74

Yes!

Answer 75

Burned..... Anyone with an Indian accent, just hang up.

Answer 76

I have gotten this call before and I use a Mac. Funny, huh?

Answer 77

Nobody's going to tell you there's and virus on your computer.

Answer 78

SCAM!!!

Answer 79

This is totally legit. Send them as much money as they need to fix it.

Answer 80

Ignore any calls or text message.

Answer 81

The old Indian trick huh?

Answer 82

tellem to go pray to krishna for forgiveness

Answer 83

of course!! microsoft will never call you (although their security is complete utter garbage)

Answer 84

People like you are why I get spam mail...

Answer 85

There is a sucker born every minute and my friend you are one.

Answer 86

i would call windows and see what they say or take it to best buy and see.

Answer 87

No . Give them all your info so that hey can help U .

Answer 88

http://CashForInvite.com/?ref=83016

Answer 89

does yahoo ever call on your home phone ??

Answer 90

wow

Answer 91

dont worry about is and keep paying- you wanna be safe dont you?

Answer 92

I never answer my phone. unless I know who t is.

Answer 93

macs

Answer 94

no do it i swear its fine

Answer 95

yeh it is

Answer 96

go with your instinct !!!!

Answer 97

lol