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Janice CookFlag for United States of America

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Is this a scam? If so, how can I go about reporting it?

I keep getting calls, from another country(I am in US) by the sound of the accent, telling me that my computer is sending error messages to their server, and that my anti-virus software is not working, that I am infected with ???? and to please sit down in front of my computer and they will tell me what to do. They mumble something about Microsoft Operating System, but deny working for the company when asked. I told them to stop calling me, but they continue. I can't really understand what they are saying because of the accent, but am very upset that they continue to do this. Has anyone else experienced something like this? How can I report them? It feels like a terrible scam.....I don't know if they are trying to sell me software or worse, get their hands on my personal information(or more of it).

Let me know.
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johnsone
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Total scam.

You can try reporting it to the FTC here ->https://complaints.donotcall.gov/complaint/complaintcheck.aspx

I'm not sure how much good it will do, but it may make you feel better.

They tried to get relatives of mine with this scam too.  Something about there is a problem with their computer and they will help them fix it.  The computer wasn't even on at the time.
FWIW: After a few calls (about 2-a-day for about three days) they stopped when I let them know that it's a scam and I'll not fall for it.
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BillDL
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The scam is usually done by people in India.

How sure are you of this?
Hmm.  Yes, perhaps I should have said "people FROM India".  I based my generalisation on the 20 or so calls that I have received, and the numerous accounts given by other people including family members.  I know an Indian or Pakistani accent when I hear it, having been exposed to it on a day-to-day basis, but yes, they could easily be living in other countries.

I am also pretty sure that some crooks from the Ukraine, Romania, and elsewhere are also in on the scam too.
I know an Indian or Pakistani accent when I hear it, having been exposed to it on a day-to-day basis, but yes, they could easily be living in other countries.

How sure are you of your expertise in recognizing accents from different countries?

How is your generalization important (to know)?
My generalisation is no more important to know other than the fact that every single person from the Indian sub-continent that I have ever had to speak with in a call centre has been pushy and has tried to talk right through me.  In context with the question and the nature of this scam, the inference is that you are likely to get a pushy person on the phone and that it may be hard to speak through a barrage of conversation in an accent that may be difficult to understand.

Given that a very significant proportion of UK call centres at some point outsourced to Bombay (Mumbai), we in the UK have had our fair share of exposure to speaking over the phone with Indian people, their accents, and the idiosyncrasies of their speech.  Almost a quarter of the population of some areas of London, where many company head offices are located and where we have to call, comprises people of Indian ethnicity.  I work alongside 7 people from India (not Indo-Brits), all of whom are very direct speakers and like to enforce their own opinions.

If you feel that my generalisation is a racial slur or is unimportant, then ask for it to be removed or do so yourself if you have admin rights.
If you feel that my generalisation is a racial slur or is unimportant, then ask for it to be removed or do so yourself if you have admin rights.

You say it.  Not I.

[You can ask for it to be removed if you are uncomfortable. I am okay.]
This will be my last post on this particular subject:

Press Release by The Federal Trade Commission on July 24, 2014
http://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2014/07/federal-court-orders-tech-support-scammers-pay-more-51-million

"The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued default judgments against fourteen corporate defendants and fourteen individual defendants that allegedly operated the tech support scams.  The operations were mostly based in India and targeted English-speaking consumers in the United States and several other countries."
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Thorough answer. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you sheana11.
I always play along with this scam, usually get bored after about 20 minutes or until they realise I know what they are (your website is not working, I'm on a Mac etc) which is usually followed by a barrage of insults - but stops them trying to con someone else for a little while.

There's some funny recordings regarding this particular scam on YouTube