How can I please get rid of these scum-bags from India or some other country trying to call me about my Windows PC, when I don't even own a Windows PC.
And it's always around 7pm in the evening.
Arrsssee holes!!!!

Here is a good video of their ways...

www.wired.co.uk/article/malwarebytes

jn1 said..
Do you have a land line ?

If so - why?

egbg.home.xs4all.nl/counterscript.html

By far the simplest and most effective technique is to just hang up. Takes no time. Does not expose you to anything they're likely to try on. Feels quite good. Doesn't abuse some poor bugger working for peanuts in a Bangalore call centre.

I did have a fun incident when a telemarketer called and I hung up, and she called back straight away saying we had been cut off. I said we weren't cut off I hung up on her. She said it was rude to hang up on people. I said it was rude to make unsolicited phone calls ... and hung up on her.

we don't answer our home phone calls at all.
the answer machine does that.

Mark _australia said..

Dunno about with scammers but telemarkers and survey mobs use an auto dialer. When it hears you say "hello" it then puts you thru to a person in their centre. That's why you usually are almost getting out your second "hello"as they are coming online.

So if you get that pause of nothing (and especially if it is around the time they all call) - hit heaps of random buttons on your phone real quick then hang up. Their computer will hear beep beep beep etc and think your phone is actually a fax or modem line.
It will mark your number as do not use from now on.

Awesome tip!!! Thanks heaps.

and milk salesmen too.

Huh?

GalahOnTheBay said..
If so - why?

Because most residential numbers on whitepages.com.au are landline numbers and overseas telemarketers probably have used this info as a basis. It's mostly senior people who own residential landlines and that's who they exploit.

I had this issue when I had my landline and got it disconnected in 2007. However, my parents can't get over not having one. They like Loftywind get smashed (up to 40 telemarketer calls on bad day). I've given up trying to talk them into getting it disconnected and having their internet either replaced with naked ADSL or a 3G dongle. I've made it a rule now that they don't whinge it me about it

Note: Both parents have owned mobiles for over a decade. My Mum has had the same mobile number. They have never had an issue with telemarketers on their mobiles. Their mobile numbers aren't listed on Whitepages.

J

Yep, definitely.

What's a "landline"?

But in all seriousness, try the do not call register. They can be prosecuted for calling numbers that are on it.

slammin said..Dude they aren't in the law to start off with. Try suing someone in Bangalore.......

The Bangaloreans are working under contract to a locally based company - who will cop the prosecution.


stephen

slammin said..
I think you're mistaking the Windows virus scam with telemarketing which is an entirely different kettle of fish. Did you read the OP's article, www.wired.co.uk/article/malwarebytes ?

oops......


stephen

sn said..

slammin said..Dude they aren't in the law to start off with. Try suing someone in Bangalore.......

The Bangaloreans are working under contract to a locally based company - who will cop the prosecution.


stephen

Ive spoken to the Telecommunications Ombudsman on exactly this issue; after pushing past their claim to know nothing of the issue, they admitted they are powerless. Their reasoning/excuse was that this is offshore entities calling in using VOIP, therefore non-static or prosecutable... NOT HAPPY JAN

I have to say I really quite enjoy them calling. I know it's crazy but I have so much fun leading them on with crazy issues that I have me and my wife and daughters rolling with laughter by the end. Our land line ring so rarely that my eldest runs to it if it rings and brings me the phone with a huge smile saying "Dad - it says from overseas..."

On Wednesday night at about 6pm we had the window's one which is the best - first I go along with everything, just to make sure they are committed and believe that I'm able to be scammed then the fun starts..

"Sorry to interrupt, but I should tell you that I download a lot of Madonna songs, like heaps, not sure if this is relevant but thought I should tell you."
"Hold on did you just say error messages? Well I am friends with Christopher Walken - not sure if that makes a difference but wanted to tell you?"
"My keyboard is not so good as I've used it several times for serving cold meats - seems like some if the oil or something has gotten in there"
"How did my computer get this virus, has someone sneezed in the internet?"
"Hold on a sec, one of the kids has got out of the cage, you think you could trust them with pickle forks"

The key is to say something really strange and then ask them how they feel about it. But always stay concerned about your computer being compromised.

Once I even pretended to patch them through to my office, which was Microsoft help line (another phone in my house). With an American accent I kept saying "Microsoft Windows - how can I be of assistance?" They said they were Microsoft and I kept saying no we are Microsoft until I suggested that they had called themselves and I could help them fix some recent unauthorised data activity on their computer. The guy actually laughed before he hung up.

I have had heaps of fun with them - hopefully me wasting their time stops some old couple getting sucked in, a mate works for consumer protection and said that it happens way more than you would imagine.

p train said..

Mackerel said...

and milk salesmen too.

Huh?

'Milk' salesman is the 'pool' cleaners cousin, they seem to visit me heaps too when it is just the wife home.........

Jokes on them.... Because I don't even own a pool or drink milk

Sounds like your wife doesn't tell you everything...