Had a call last week from 'Microsoft' stating that I was having problems with my PC and could they help. After finally putting brain into gear I realised they would not have had my phone number and asked them what my name was. As the lady did not know she put me on hold and then hung up. I didn't think any more of it until talking to colleague today and his father has just been scammed by same type of call stating there was a problem with his PC. After gaining access to his PC they downloaded a 'free' scan which they charged him £80.00. Poor guy was so worried he has cancelled his debit card and informed bank and police.

BTW my phone is exdirectory and I assume they had random dial technology fishing for phone numbers.

Yes I couldn't agree more.
You are right, there are mad people on this board.

The women who fall for the American Soldier in Afganistan who needs money for treatment because he's been shot out there and then needs money to be able to fly home, then needs money for his son who's so sick on on his deathbed, then needs money to come to England, make me laugh. I mean, I know its lonely being single but being naive is no excuse. Alarm bells should be ringing the second they speak on the phone and ask for money. Even the Western Union employers try and tell these women but they just don't listen.

Life was much simpler when drunken Scotsmen approached you at mainline railway stations with the "I've lost my ticket, can you lend me some money to get home" story. You knew it was bull$h!t but all you had do was decide how threatening the particular Scotsman was. 1. Puny little drunk unable to stand up straight = "F**k off p!$$head", 2. Tatooed thug with knuckles like a gorilla and a forehead that could punch a hole in a battleship = "Of course my man, here's five pounds".

I've had this call SOOOO many times now... I end up laughing at them...

For one thing: I actualy DO have an Amiga A1200 in working order (it's ancient now, poor little thing)
I also have a C=64, (even more ancient)
I also use Linux instead of Windows on my main computer at times...

(Yes, I'm a geek, and I'm not afraid to admit it :lol)

One time they rang up, my Amiga monitor had gone bust, so I couldn't get a picture on the screen whatsoever. I told this to the guy, and he said to call them back when I had a new monitor. I never said what computer the monitor was connected to, just that it was broke and I couldn't see what I was doing.

Another time, there was a girl/woman calling. I booted the Amiga and asked why I couldn't see any folders anywhere when I typed "dir c:\windows" and I acted really confused like. After about ten minutes the girl gave and finally asked what operating system I used. I said, "Why, I'm using the AmigaOS of course, it's the only computer I have, and I thought I had to get a better accelerator in order to speed it up but then you called and I hoped you could fix it" The girl hung up.

Another time, I booted the ancient Commodore 64. I did everything the person on the phone said, and replied "But I only get a syntax error, are you SURE this works when I only use my old Commodore 64 with the tapedeck? Why can't I change the folder or even get to see the contents by typing DIR? And you're absolutely sure that there's a folder called "windows backslash system32 on the C=64?"

Funniest time was when I was using Linux... "But just type into the command window "cd c:" he said... i said "I've done that so many times now, and it's not working, I'm sure you're having a laugh at my expense, not MY fualt I can't get c: to work. Maybe it would help if I said "cd slash u s r slash b i n and see if the hosts.txt is there?"
"No, it's definately c:\windows\system32"
me: What is this "windows" you're talking about anyways? is anything alike to XORG's XWindows server?
him: no it's an operating sytem
me: Does it work under linux?
him: no you ahve to reboot the computer and press F8 and select normal mode
me: (fiddling around with rebooting the linux box) F8 doesn't help, Slackware are still booting as it should, and there's no kernel panic either.... should I use startx?
him: Are you using the windows operating system?
me: Well, you called me and claimed there was an issue, you should know what system I'm using
him: according to my papers, you are using windows
me: which version
him Windows
me: Yes, I heard that. But which version? 3.11 for Workgroups?
him: No Windosws XP
me: Strange. Never heard of that one. I'm using Slackware Linux
Him: Did you know that all linux is illegally isntalled?
me: Strange. If Linux is illegally installed, how come they encourage people to download and install in magazines like PCPro and PCWorld?
him: They are trying to scam you
me: You mean, unlike you, who's just an honest worker who doesn't even know my name, the operating system I'm using or when I suposebly made the "support" request
him: <click>

Oh yeah. I've had plenty of laughs on their behalf. Of course, it DOES help being fairly savvy and knowing all the technogeek talk. It also helps being a little of an actor. And it sure helps if you have a NON-windows computer in workable condition to really play havoc with their "support" :lol