Egyptian 'Problem' Company - Remote Access to Your PC.

[LaughingGirl]

Hi guys.

 

Not sure where to put this really, I've plumped for Telecoms because it's a phone 'problem'.

 

For the last week, we've been getting calls from "002083133383". We tried ignoring them, because frankly we don't know anyone in Egypt. However, they're completely incessant - between 6pm and 9pm, we were getting in the region of 5-6 calls (autodialler, I'm guessing).

 

Tonight, I decided to answer the call to see if I could get them to remove me from their database - big mistake, apparently. A delightful gentleman calling himself Josh told me that my computer was busy riddling their 'internal database' with viruses, I was 'breaking the law' if I didn't get it 'fixed'. To cut a long story short, he demanded that I give him remote access to my PC, so he could 'clean' it. He told me that if I didn't, they'd have no option but to remotely format my hard drive. I (genuinely) politely told him that was absolutely fine by me, and to go right ahead - then they wouldn't need to call me again.

 

He got really, quite unbelievably abusive at this point, so much so that I can't even write what he said on the forum. Needless to say, the phone was replaced, end of call. What followed after this was a long series of calls, all of which I disconnected without saying anything. The last call, my OH answered (thinking he might drop it if a male answered) and before he could even speak, this guy launched into another tirade of foul language and threats. My OH bellowed down the phone at him, and Josh disconnected the call, probably with his ears ringing. The phone has rung several times since then, but all calls have been ignored. I'll ring Sky in the morning and see if I can get the number blocked.

 

Having done a bit of Googling, it turns out these jokers are related to this story:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11754487

 

While the OH and I have had a bit of a laugh at this now (He had no idea I was working the streets until Josh clued him in! On the bright side, he's coming round to slit my throat this evening so I won't be doing it any more), I would hate for anyone to get caught out by this - perhaps people could warn any elderly relatives who have internet access? I know my Mum would have ended up giving him access, and would have been scared to death if he'd said those sort of things to her.

 

So much for ex-directory, eh?

[BankFodder]

Thanks. One for the newsletter I think

[LaughingGirl]

I'd appreciate that, thanks. Joking apart, I've found a scary amount of people on-line who've actually been taken in by this. The results seem to vary from paying £50.00+ to have their PC 'fixed', to potential identity theft. It also appears that I'm not the only person who they've thrown abuse at. Charming.

[dx100uk]

been around for years

 

just look on whocallsme for the number

 

dx

[dx100uk]

now thats funny

there were pages on this number on whocallsme

 

but now only one msgs

 

weird!

[LaughingGirl]

Yes, I saw that - but if it's still doing the rounds and people are still being conned by them (and it seems that they are), it won't do any harm to let people know, surely?

 

Like I said, I can laugh it off now but some people would be seriously frightened by someone saying things like that to them.

 

ETA - There still is pages, the number varies occasionally by a couple of digits. I just noted the one from the call that got abusive so I can get Sky to block it.

[dx100uk]

just the same as the 'windows' technician stuff too

 

dx

[LaughingGirl]

Yeah, he actually said that he was calling from Microsoft. I'm sure that they're delighted at the superb PR they're getting.

[locutus]

In England Ofcom could ban them from making calls as it is against the communications act to verbally threaten someone over the phone. In Egypt I dunno how effective they could be.

[LaughingGirl]

No effective at all, or I think they'd already be gone I think.

 

As it happens, I didn't get round to ringing Sky to get the number blocked, but the calls seem to have stopped.

[keefyboy]

I used to be with SKy and all they say is that the call is coming from an International Number and they can not block them. so I took someone elses advice and DUMPED sky as my Broadband provider.

 

Another tip is if you put the number into your phone, either home or mobile and put the name as "Ignore 1, ignore 2 etc etc" then when they ring you look and just don't answer it, I have been doing that with "The Times" trying to flog me membership to the paper... after a week the calls finally stopped as no one answered, or if you have an old fax machine, connect it to your line and when their number comes up, turn the fax on and the computer cuts off, after a few days of that the computer records the number as a fax and doesn't ring the number back....... it lovely now, all the quiet now, i wonder if the phones working at times....... lol

 

My daughter got the "Microsoft" person call a couple of weeks ago, and when my daughter told the man she would pass him over to her husband, who is a certified Microsoft engineer, ( he really is, he does do some small work for MS )and is a is a software writer they suddenly hung up and never called back....... I wonder why......

 

There is another way to make them not call again, my ex wife used to do it, buy a whistle and when they ring answer the phone and do not say anything, just blow the whistle, they might try once more but do the same again, they hang up everso quick...

[sparx]

They called me a few times late last year, I played along until they got to the point where they wanted me to download some "remote access software", at which point i told them where to go. I have a virtual machine at the ready so the next time they call I can go deeper into their [problem]!

[tiredTraveller]

damn! I had a missed call from that number the other day. I'm a software engineer and an ex-callcentre loudmouth (you have to pay for the degree somehow...) so I would've loved a play with one of those idiots.

[seanamarts]

You can report any numbers and have them investigated by the TPS here its free. http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/index.html

 

You need to register your number, I have had numerous calls recently trying to get information from me, I did ignore them but now they are calling up to 6 times a day so I have just reported the number, trouble is though it has been different numbers all asking for Mrs smith. I tell them she dosnt live here and they ask my details, yeah right as if I am going to give them it, they are an india call centre.

[seanamarts]

You can report any numbers and have them investigated by the TPS here its free. http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/index.html

 

You need to register your number, I have had numerous calls recently trying to get information from me, I did ignore them but now they are calling up to 6 times a day so I have just reported the number, trouble is though it has been different numbers all asking for Mrs smith. I tell them she dosnt live here and they ask my details, yeah right as if I am going to give them it, they are an india call centre.

[keefyboy]

It is fine reporting the number to the TPS for investigation, but that is not possible for some of these companies that are using "With Held" numbers or "Offshore" numbers to ring you, you can not even block these numbers, I have had several in a short period of time, most are talking about PPI claims or Debt IVA's.

 

If you ask them to delete your number they say they will but hardly ever do.... and there is no way you can stop them calling, even if they use a computer dialing method you can not stop them as these hardly ever give a number and thats why these companies use them.

[seanamarts]

really! Damn! If that is the case I am going to invest in a very loud whistle and give it a big 'wheeeeeeeeeep' down the blower next time they call, I would love to know how they got my number as I never give it out. Always ask for the same person.

[LaughingGirl]

really! Damn! If that is the case I am going to invest in a very loud whistle and give it a big 'wheeeeeeeeeep' down the blower next time they call, I would love to know how they got my number as I never give it out. Always ask for the same person.

 

I can unfortunately confirm that you can't block these idiots. If you don't mind missing your calls for the entire evening though, I can also confirm that if you say "Excuse me, I just need to turn my cooker off - I'll be back in a second..." then wander off and leave the call open for a few hours, they will never call back. Or at least, they haven't in my case.

 

Listening to household noise for hours does nothing for your sales targets, I imagine...

[keefyboy]

Many moons ago I used to be a fireman and each officer was issued with a Top end of the Market Whistle, (better than referees ones) and we had to use it for emergency operations use only. when I retired from the Fire Service my wife (now my ex) grabbed it and she has used it several times for cold callers, salesmen, silent calls, you name it she used and the effect was tremendous, they never called again, I wonder why......hee hee

 

With regards to leaving the phone off the hook all evening, I was told that after a short period, the telephony system would terminate the call automatically, thats why you get suddenly cut off when you are speaking to someone you do want to speak to, and either they or you have to redial.

[sillygirl1]

I wish one of these would phone me, haven't had a good phone wind up in a long time, possibly because my landline number does not ring in the house (YAY) and I have an app on my phone where I can block these calls from bothering me again.

 

Still think it would be good to be able to transfer these calls to a centre where people could wind them up for a living!