Microsoft Australia says it is still working to shut down scammers claiming to represent the software giant and promising to fix problems with an individual’s computer in return for credit card details, but new revelations suggest the fraud is becoming more sophisticated.
CPA Australia head of accounting policy, Denis Pratt, says he was contacted on his home phone this week by people claiming to be from “Windows technical support” who knew his name and address.
Pratt said the callers claimed they could see problems on his computer, and asked whether he had noticed his computer becoming slower recently.
“They wanted to take over the machine and fix the problems,” Pratt told SmartCompany this morning.
“It’s a complete scam,” Pratt says.
“They clearly have a script,” Pratt says, noting repeated phrases such as “We have seen errors” and “We’re here to help”.
Pratt says while he was immediately suspicious, he spoke to several individuals over 15 minutes to see what they were up to.
“I was pretty sure it was a scam. I was happy to pursue it and see what they were on about.”
A colleague’s father had also been complained of an unsolicited call to his home phone, Pratt says.
Anna Barnes, of Microsoft’s PR agency Howorth Communications, told SmartCompany this morning Microsoft had been working to help put an end to the scams for a “long time”, with recent complaints coming from southern Queensland and small IT companies.
The calls are believed to originate from Indian call centres.
Barnes said she was unaware callers were now calling prospective victims armed with the individual’s name and address.
“They might be getting a bit clever now,” she said.
The amounts sought varied from $30 up to $600, Barnes said.
Barnes says Microsoft has put out warnings about the scam, collected data, directed victims to the Federal Government’s Scamwatch website, and tried to lobby the Indian Government to take action.
Last August, Microsoft warned Australians to be wary of a phone scam that had left some victims hundreds of dollars out of pocket.
“In reality, there is nothing wrong with their computer but the scammer has tricked the consumer into believing there is a problem and that paying the fee is the best way to get it fixed,” Stuart Strathdee, Microsoft Australia’s then-chief security advisor, said in a statement.
“Often they will also push the customer to buy a one-year computer maintenance subscription.
“Don’t be fooled. Microsoft is not cold-calling consumers in regards to malfunctioning PCs, viruses or any other matter.”
The Microsoft blog advises scam victims to contact their bank, or local fraud department, as well as their phone service provider.
The blog says tech support fraud is one of four most common scams using the company’s name.
“Once the crooks have gained your trust, they attempt to steal from you and damage your computer with malicious software including viruses and spyware,” Microsoft says.
“Although law enforcement can trace phone numbers, perpetrators often use pay phones, disposable cellular phones, or stolen cellular phone numbers. It’s better to avoid being conned rather than try to repair the damage afterwards.
“Treat all unsolicited phone calls with scepticism. Do not provide any personal information.
“If you receive an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft tech support, hang up. We do not make these kinds of calls.”
Other scams include claims that Microsoft requires credit card information to validate Windows, unsolicited emails with security updates attached, and claims the respondent has won the ‘Microsoft Lottery’.
Smart Company is the leading online publication in Australia for free news, information and resources catering to Australia’s entrepreneurs, small and medium business owners and business managers.
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