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I had a phone call yesterday from a call centre in India who claimed to be working for Microsoft although he could hardly speak English. He informed me that my computer had been hacked and was being used for fraudulent purposes. After much arguing I was eventually passed onto someone who spoke better English (his supervisor) and I proceeded to rip him to shreds as he wasn't able to confirm who he was, who he represented and if what he was telling me was true. He put the phone down !

BE WARNED !

Happens all the time Dave, they are just con artist, out to get your credit/debit card details, they can get quite stroppy, here at Lizard's lair, we just tell them to politely fuck off and threaten to put a contract out on them, as in sleeping with the fishes.

It's a scam, just trying to get your details. They've tried it with me, except i'm all Apple and don't have a microsoft product to be compromised.

Still, I can see why some fall for it, as genuine companies work in the same way. I've spent many a joyful minute saying "You called me, it's not up to me to identify myself!"

I had one last week. I gave them very short shrift. I have read that they get you to accept a free diagnostic download which unknown to you is malware, and then charge you a fortune to have it removed. I asked the caller how she knew I use Windows and then told her that I knew there was no way she could know I had a problem. The line went very quiet very soon after.

Yeah, of course I know it was a scam boys. I was just alerting everyone to this new ploy.
I actually quite enjoy all these cold calling idiots in many ways and it's become like a sport for me now (fuck, I have to much time on my hands don't I ?). At first I act all dumb and sound really really really interested and keep telling them to tell me more. After they have read their scripts sometimes lasting up to 5-10 minutes on occasions, I say no not interested and they either put the phone down or try again. I love it !

I once told one of these cold callers "I hope all your family die in a freak car crash, now fuck off" my phone didn't stop ringing for about an hour... as I don't ever use the land line for incoming calls it is there for broadband only and 0845/0800 numbers I just turn the sound/ringer off now, job done!

When they call regardless of what they say you say one thing
and their gone

"I dont have a computer"

Dave

I quite like playing along a bit too, but I have set up an 0871 number and have spent the last year or so giving this to my bank and adding it to any form etc I have to fill in confident the info will be sold on.

Now when the cold calls start coming and if I feel like having fun with them I also get paid for it too. Not big money, but every penny counts in a recession.

I enjoy these calls. They used to drive me nuts and sometimes I just dont respond and put the phone down.

Occasionally if Im in a pensive mood Ill feign shock and gratitude and thank them for calling then cut them off then if they call back I pretend to be the kebab shop or indian takeaway. I love doing the indian accent. Sometimes I do a really sexy french one too but in a smooth lothario voice

Or I can do my evil Joe Pesci one and tell em to fuck their ..Well lets just say I can get raw

Panorama did a show on these telephone scams last night if you want to check it out on iPlayer