Fake support call from Microsoft

Beware cold callers - especially those claiming your PC or Laptop has a virus or other problem.

We're offring a FREE HEALTH CHECK to anyone who suspects they have may have fallen victim to this scam. Contact us and we'll do the rest!

The scam always starts the same way: the phone rings at someone's home, and the caller – usually with an Indian accent – asks for the householder, quoting their name and address before saying "I'm calling for Microsoft. We've had a report from your internet service provider of serious virus problems from your computer."

Dire forecasts are made that if the problem is not solved, the computer will become unusable.

The puzzled owner is then directed to their computer, and asked to open a program called "Windows Event Viewer". Its contents are, to the average user, worrying: they look like a long list of errors, some labelled "critical". "Yes, that's it," says the caller. "Now let me guide you through the steps to fixing it."

The computer owner is directed to a website and told to download a program that hands over remote control of the computer, and the caller "installs" various "fixes" for the problem. And then it's time to pay a fee: £185 for a "subscription" to the "preventative service".

The only catch: there was never anything wrong with the computer, the caller is not working for Microsoft or the internet service provider, and the owner has given a complete stranger access to every piece of data on their machine.

If you get one of these calls just ignore everything they say and  hang up. Switch off your computer, restart and check that it's running as it should.

To find out more about this and other similar scams follw the links below

http://www.panwa.org.uk

http://www.ukbusinesslabs.co.uk

If you've already had one of these calls and allowed them to connect you need to get your computer checked. Contact Mentor to arrange a FREE HEALTH CHECK during November and December.

Some cutomers have told us that after this call their mouse doesn't behave normally or even work at all. If this happens you maybe able to use the keyboard to control your computer. Some useful comands are listed below.

 Hold the windows key and press then release the keys as listed below  

   Windows: Display the Start menu
   Windows + D: Minimize or restore all windows
   Windows + E: Display Windows Explorer
   Windows + F: Display Search for files

   Windows + Ctrl + F: Display Search for computer
   Windows + F1: Display Help and Support Center
   Windows + R: Display Run dialog box
   Windows + break: Display System Properties dialog

   Windows + shift + M: Undo minimize all windows
   Windows + tab: move through taskbar buttons
   Windows + L: Lock the workstation (or switch to the Logon screen)
   Windows + U: Open Utility Manager / Administrative settings