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Windows CMS Scam - Paul Robinson (23rd Feb 2010 - 15:04:56) I have now been telephoned on both my home number and at my office, both of which are in Liphook and informed by a company called CMS that they are working on behalf of Windows Operating Systems and that they have detected a virus on both machines. As there is no reason for anyone interested in the welfare of my computer to know my telephone number I suspect this may be a scam to obtain details of my passwords etc thus allowing anyone to hack into my machine. Needless to say our conversation did not get this far, however I should be interested to know if any others have been contacted in this way and would advise caution when dealing with this company. Paul Robinson

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Steve Read (23rd Feb 2010 - 17:03:30) Paul, Yes had the same company ring me last week, told them what I thought and hung up.

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Irene Ellis (23rd Feb 2010 - 17:13:54) Hi Paul I have also been contacted twice on my home phone by a man saying I have a virus in my computer and it sounded like the same man who phoned me a few weeks ago saying he could save me money on my phone line if I gave him my bank details. Like you I just switched off the phone without asking any details. Irene Ellis

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Robert Douglas (24th Feb 2010 - 13:30:17) I've had two calls from the same man on consecutive Saturdays, clearly from a call centre in Bangalore or Mumbai or wherever, offering to help me with problems he had spotted on my computer. When I asked him to describe my computer he hadn't really very much to say ...! Clearly a scam, and I've left him in no doubt how angry I am to have been targetted by him in this way. He seems to have got hold of a copy of the local telephone book and to be working his way through it - or possibly ringing 01428 numbers at random.

Re: Windows CMS Scam - T Jordan (24th Feb 2010 - 15:00:47) I had a call yesterday for a female saying I had a problem with my computer, she was a little surprised when I told her I did not have a home computer.

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Robert Douglas (24th Feb 2010 - 22:47:23) Good answer T Jordan!! Some years ago, when we used to be bothered by phone calls from double glazing companies, I used to tell them we didn't have any windows. That used to shut them up!

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Jane Wright (25th Feb 2010 - 10:22:06) I've just had another call on our home number telling me my computer was running slow and that I will have had error messages. When I said that this wasn't the case he said he'd check my address. It was wrong and he hung up, but the address he quoted was yours Paul, I'm afraid!

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Editor (25th Feb 2010 - 10:55:06) I have heard of other incidents in the Liphook area and have now passed this thread over to Hampshire Trading Standards. When I get a response I'll post it hear. Jane - have you got the CLI (phone number) of the person calling you ? Alan

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Editor (25th Feb 2010 - 11:50:53) If you get a call like this please .. do not give them ANY information about your PC do not go to any web page they might give you (this will log your connection details with them) ask if you can call them back in 10 minutes as you are cooking, changing baby etc - make a note of the phone number if they will not give you a number dial 1471 immediately after the call to get their number. post any details on this site for Trading Standards to collect. Alan

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Paul Robinson (26th Feb 2010 - 09:06:32) Further to my earlier posting I can confirm that during my conversation with the unsolicited call from the company that calls itself CMS I was able to establish that their telephone number was 0203 287 0117 the operator's name was Dominic Taranto and he described the company as offering Technical Support for Windows Operating Systems. Paul Robinson

Re: Windows CMS Scam - nicky (26th Feb 2010 - 10:01:00) whocallsme.com/... [editor - thanks for finding that]

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Sue W (26th Feb 2010 - 11:14:30) Hi Not sure if this is connected to your CMS issues - but I had a major problem with my system about a week ago. Had logged on to the internet, and in the bottom toolbar flashed a 'windows warning' (in green) that my system was being attacked by a virus. Tried to activate my (not very good protection system - which I admit had let part of it slip out of date) and it was blocked - every thing was blocked - except this nice little green help screen to get rid of the virus - what ever you do, do not open it!! It will only be a site to buy an anti-virus product. Took my hard-drive to Disking on the Beaver Industrial estate, who cleaned my system, purchased a new protector for my computer. Very reasonable and helpful. Luckily all my files and programmes were still in tact. I know I am not the only local person to have been got at directly on to my computer screen. Sue

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Jane Wright (26th Feb 2010 - 18:01:58) Referring back to you asking if I'd got a phone number from them, I dialled 1471 straight away and got a series of 0s I'm afraid (00000 000 0000) - not very helpful!

Re: Windows CMS Scam - chris allen (25th Mar 2010 - 10:39:36) I am a pensioner and not clever with tech issues. i just got done for £55.00. having THEN tried to phone to-day rang but phone cut off.DO NOT GO THERE. IS THERE NO HONESTY ANY MORE

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Julie Anderson (3rd Jun 2010 - 18:45:35) I have just a phone call from "Windows" saying I have internal problems and they want to help me fix them. I said I was cooking dinner and they will be ringing back at 9pm. Julie

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Barbara (8th Jul 2010 - 10:37:34) I am in Guildford and have just had a phone call saying that my computer has been generating Windows error messages and that someone must have downloaded an "unwanted programme" to my pc. The man asked me to turn on my computer so he could look at the problem! He even tried to say that my Norton antivirus would not deal with it. I finished the call though, because my other phone rang (luckily). I pressed 1471 but number was withheld. Am glad I found all your comments. Will have my answer ready when he calls next!!!

Re: Windows CMS Scam - bridget (7th Jun 2011 - 14:40:06) This old chestnut has cropped up again, exactly the same thing with a tel nr of 02030510987. Wanted £75 or £100 depending on how long it would take to "fix" the problem. Beware! This is another Company called G-Tech Support, more details of their 'scam' can be found here www.whocallsme.com/.... As always, never allow someone you do not know to have access to your PC

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Lesley (7th Jun 2011 - 16:55:25) I have had exactly the same calls any a lot of them. Started by being polite and then got very angry. Always number withheld. I find it quite unnerving as well as irritating. Hope trading standards can do something about it.

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Ellis (7th Jun 2011 - 17:01:03) I've spoken to Microsoft before about this and they stated and will always state they do not call their customers. Very few - if any software companys will - unless you have already called them and they are returning a fault you have reported. Ask them for a postal address so you can send a cheque and a phone number just in case it happens again - then report it to Trading Standards and the Police. This appears to be a big problem. You dont need to spend anything on Virus protection. There are several very good companys such as AVG Antvirus ( www.avg.com ) and Avast ( www.avast.com ). Ellis

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Glenys Kirkpatrick (7th Jun 2011 - 18:19:58) I have had calls from the 000000 etc number yesterday and today, this number was shown on my phone display. Glenys.

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Jane G (7th Jun 2011 - 20:06:29) I have had 3 calls from this lot recently...in the end I just quietly placed the phone on the table and left him talking to himself...he had got bored and hung up by the time I went back!

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Richard H. Rowson (7th Jun 2011 - 20:31:29) Further to this, it is unfortunately a well known scam, but if someone you don't know asks you to install software so they can "fix" an issue, or talk you through installing an issue, please do not do it, and advise Trading Standards. The aim is to install a piece of dodgy software on your computer which will then send out erroneous alerts. This is known as "scareware", and unsurprisingly, only they can remove it. If in doubt a quick search on Google (or similar) may offer help. If you think you have a virus, vist one of the major anti-virus vendors websites for help, preferably not the one who makes your usual AV software, as they may have an on-line tool to clear up a malware infection. If all else fails, seek reputable help. A competent computer engineer should be able to kill a virus in 2 to 3 hours, unless you have picked up something previosuly unheard of.

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Paul Robinson (7th Jun 2011 - 21:27:32) Well done Jane G, what a great idea. All the time you leave the phone down it is costing him money. My only reservation is that he would have to listen to me tapping away with two fingers, conducting my business. Mind you, today he could have overheard Desert Island Discs as I did today on BBC 4 Listen Again. It was Alfie Boe. Absolutely stunning. He was disarmingly candid about his life, his family and his choice of music. If you missed it, give it a try. Too good for the likes of some computer scammer. Now then, junk mail. No doubt Jane G would advocate sellotaping it to a house brick and writing on it 'Return To Sender' Now there's a thought . . . Paul Robinson

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Bridget (8th Jun 2011 - 09:00:32) Unfortunately this happened to my colleague yesterday, they "lost" all photos, private documents and favourties form the internet, when a friend investigated further for them they had all been hidden on the computer. When GTech called back, and trading stardards were mentioned, they were very quick to hang up! Luckily no bank details had been handed over but it is so easy for this to happen.

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Nico (8th Jun 2011 - 09:15:29) Been giving these people short shrift for over a year. They\'ll try you again!

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Sam K (8th Jun 2011 - 14:24:48) I've also had calls from a witheld number, clearly in India, telling me I have issues and can I turn on my computer.....they just say they are from 'support'. Don't give them access to your computer. Has anyone heard from Trading Standards about this?

Re: Windows CMS Scam - lizzie (8th Aug 2011 - 15:30:23) Feel quite comforted that i am not the only one to have this scam, i got as far as typing 'eventvwr' in the RUN window it came up with a list of errors, at that point i ended that call and switched off my PC, been worrying all day that i did something that will enable them to hack into my PC.

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Jane G (8th Aug 2011 - 17:17:03) Lizzie...do not worry! If the caller asked you to type in 'eventvwr' then there is absolutely nothing to worry about. The follow up to this would have been that you would have given them a number that this screen showed you and they would have told you that these were the number of unresolved viruses on your computer. This isn't true...what this is is the number of 'events' that your computer has recorded...all computers have this and it's completely normal. The older your computer the more events would be listed. The scam is that they will tell you that this is the number of viruses you have and then you will buy some anti-virus software from them, which as other posters on this thread have said will probably be a fake and may cause more problems than it is worth. If you say that you already have anti-virus software they will try and convince you it doesn't work as otherwise why would have all these 'viruses'!!! My parents nearly got caught out on this scam recently but luckily did not buy the software. However, when they explained to me what the chap had asked them to do and I did some research, it was the 'eventvwr' thing again. By doing this you have absolutely not given them access to your computer so don't worry :-)

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Jay (8th Aug 2011 - 20:15:07) Well done Jane G that was a great piece of information. I think on other threads posters have said that they have informed double glazing companies that they "don't have any windows". Caused much amusement in our household and is now used by my teenagers who are home through the summer holidays and bombarded with unsolicited calls (despite being registered with telephone preference society). So far they have happily told callers that we don't have cavity walls, a loft, windows or any opinions (for a survey). They can't wait for the next caller!

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Helen Hamblen (9th Aug 2011 - 11:42:44) @Jay, Your comment about the boys saying they had "no opinions" had me in stitches! I am also registered with the telephone preference society, and still get LOADS of annoying idiots phoning me.... Will definitely start the 'no walls/doors/windows/opinions trick! (either that or give the phone to my 3 yr old, so he can tell them all about his day)!! ;) Thanks for giving me a giggle, Helen x p.s. Just realised that I've assumed that your teenagers are boys!! Sorry if I've got that wrong Jay!

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Jay (10th Aug 2011 - 19:10:00) Dear Helen Yes they are boys. Glad to see that useful parenting tool of the "crystal ball" is working well for you! Go on, hand the phone to your 3 year old and press record on the answerphone if you have it. Double dare you!

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Hannah (10th Aug 2011 - 21:16:57) Very tempted to hand over to my two year old, who, whenever presented with a phone, says "'ello. Gottago. Bye." and hangs up. She's very, very efficient. :)

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Eneida (11th Aug 2011 - 00:36:51) Alternatively, if you haven't got a handy infant, try talking to them in a difficult foreign language...works for me :D

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Finchie (11th Aug 2011 - 12:00:48) Careful with the "ooo this sounds very interesting, tell me all about it " line and leaving the phone "off-the-hook" as they jabber away. 6 and half hours later I realised why no-one had called - the phone was still "off the hook" !! And for all you youngsters out there "off-the-hook" is a phrase used by us wrincklies who actually owned records (and not music downloads) and phones were bigger than shoeboxes - basically I hadn't hit the red button !! Happy Weekend ! Cheers, Finchie

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Mrs Steel (15th Mar 2012 - 11:25:58) Would just like to add that we run a company called G-Tech Support Services Limited and are based in Hampshire. We ARE NOT ASSOCIATED with the other company known as Gtech, or Gtech Hoovers whatsoever. We specialise in supplying parts for disabled transport and are getting fed up to the back teeth with people calling us for parts for their Gtech hoovers. We also get complaints from people who have had these SCAM/BOGUS calls from the sol called computer based company known as GTECH. WE WISH TO REITERATE WE ARE NOT THE SAME COMPANY. WE ARE DUE TO MOVE SOON AND CHANGE OUR COMPANY PHONE NUMBER AS FED UP WITH BEING ASSOCIATED WITH THESE COMPANIES AND SOME CUSTOMERS WHO PHONE US ARE SO RUDE. Think if this still happens we will have to change our company name. We have been trading since 2005 and are a very established company working with UK councils to provide support for disabled vehicles. Lets hope these scammers get caught because it is not fair! Thank you for reading our article. Mrs Steel on behalf of G-Tech Support Services Limited www.gtechsupportservices.co.uk

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Keith Thomas (16th Mar 2012 - 22:50:23) I used to get calls from these idiots before we moved to Liphook last year, I used to tell them I was a certified Microsoft engineer and they would always slam the phone down. At the risk of tempting fate, since moving to a new house and getting a brand new phone number we haven't had a single rubbish call. TOUCH WOOD ! Keith Thomas

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Andrew (29th Mar 2012 - 10:39:18) These scams just don't die, do they? Just to reiterate the warning which others have given. Had the call from someone claiming to be Ricky from Microsoft support saying they had noticed our PC was downloading viruses whihc were undetected by standard virus protection like McAfee or Norton and wanting to take control of my computer remotely and show me the event log so he could explain the problem better. He said he was calling from London but he spoke with an Indian accent and it sounded like a call centre from India. He could not explain how he had got my phone number which is ex directory, but he knew my name. Being completely suspicious, I asked for a number to call him back and he gave 033 000 11 073. This is clearly not a UK number. Googliong this number suggests it si a number in Kolkata and it is indeed a scam. Needless to say I will not be callling back. 0330 numbers are UK numbers which can be re-routed to any chosen landline/mobile

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Allan (30th Mar 2012 - 00:49:47) Andrew, Had much the same experience last week. The chap (with heavy, almost un-understandable Indian accent) insisted that he was not a con merchant but genuinely from M/soft. Gimme your number to call you back, said I. And he did. Same one as you got!!

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Sarah (30th Mar 2012 - 10:33:56) Does anyone know who we can report this to? Would it be the Information Commissioner??

Re: Windows CMS Scam - nick (30th Mar 2012 - 11:04:43) scams similar to what has been shown on this thread now on e mail (junk) dont bother to read it or even open it if you do not recognise the senders address have found best way to stop ant further ones arriving is to enter the mail address into my blocked list the one i got was v_ryp@yahoo.com

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Stephen D (8th Oct 2013 - 11:14:19) Still going on. Caller with Indian accent pretending to be from Microsoft. Told her I would call the police and she put the phone down.

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Karen Feeney (8th Oct 2013 - 13:58:52) I have had a few of these calls in the last few weeks. I never give them the chance to get much further than their 'Hello blah blah blah' before I give them a big 'huff and tut' and put the phone down!

Re: Windows CMS Scam - Jane (9th Oct 2013 - 20:01:02) Hmmm these people obviously have 01428 numbers on their target list at the moment. This is the conversation I had earlier... Caller : i am phoning because we have identified some problems on your computer? Me: Really what you have been inside my house and checked my computer? Caller: no ma'am but you do have an internet connection? Then he slammed the phone down clearly realising that I knew he could not have possibly accessed my computer remotely! If anyone does get a call like this please see my post earlier in this thread about what you will be asked to do and how to respond..it is just a scam. Put the phone down!

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