Latest computer scam

It sounds like those people wanting to chop down the trees in your garden because they've just done the people's round the corner.
Never never never buy anything from anyone who rings you up unsolicited and offers their services is my golden rule.

My son tells me off if I do anything like that, so I always ask him first. However, last week I had a message about Windows 10, which said it will be free for now for those on Windows 7. That means surely that they are going to charge for it soon. That can't be right, can it? You cannot have a computer without an operating system.
Has anyone else had that?
I asked my son and he said not to do anything until he finds out about it. So I won't.

www.pcworld.com/article/2873214/windows-10-will-be-a-free-upgrade-for-windows-7-and-8-users.html

According to PC World it's true Jen but obviously don't let a strange person who rings you up install it for you

Thats interesting durhamjen I have windows 8 on my computer and hate it any update would have to be better.

With regard to the scam, the thing I found most scary was that if my very elderly friend hadn't gone down to the local shop, where he knows the owner, the scammers would still have access to his computer.

I can't believe people are still falling for this old scam. It's been doing the round for years and it's even been warned against on programmes like Watchdog.

Alternativegran you say he only gave the scammers the same bank information details as he'd normally give over the phone, but you'd normally only give these details to a reputable firm that you have contacted yourself.

These details give firms the power to take a given amount from your bank account. The reputable firm will just take that and nothing more. These scammers will take and take and take.

I trust your friends bank have closed that card down and issued him with a new one? It's horrible when scammers prey on the elderly and vulnerable.

It is a very old scam and, like Anya I can't believe people still fall for it. We never, ever divulge anything to anyone who rings us, even if it is one of our banks - or should I say especially if it's (purportedly) one of our banks. We always take their name and say we'll ring them back. and of course we then ring back on the number that we have, not one that's been given to us by the caller!

Some time ago I came across this video about a very tech savvy guy who pretended to be computer illiterate and gave one of these scam computer callers the runaround. It's quite long, but very funny.

Good thought Anya, I don't know if his card has been closed down. He said that although he asked the bank to close down the online account they said they would freeze it in case he ever wanted to set one up, whixh of couse he will never do.

@alternativegran : What's your problem with Windows 8? I've found it to be so much better than XP, and moer polished than Windows 7. I've never understood what all the fuss has been about...

Never allow anyone to take over your computer remotely!!! These scammers are so persuasive and the very elderly often get sucked in - My Dad did.

I go down the gormless route (not difficult) and I know nothing about anything and I do not own a computer.

I always ask which computer. They tend to give up quickly with me, especially as I become hard of hearing if they are persistent as when DH slammed the phone done one time they rang back ,told him off and said they would ring day and night! So I make sure they slam the phone down on me. What larks,Pip ,what larks.

Hi feetlebaum
Windows 7 was fine but I cant find things on Windows 8 which doesn't have the usual 'contents' programme on the side. In order to get to settings etc I have to click on the side of the screen and it just doesnt seem to respond. At the moment I am having problems finding downloads and printing from a web site, not sure if its Windows 8 or other changes

I had a woman ring up last week and was talking about my computer, told her I didn't have one so she told me to put DH on the phone. I handed phone to DH and he shouted at her to get off our telephone line and stop pestering us.
I have already had the notification for Windows 10 and have reserved it and it will be on computer at the end of July, the free update is for real.

Wouldn't dare let a stranger who rings me up have access to my computer, jane. What computer?I'm with harrigran.

I've had notification about the free Windows 10 update from Norton. I'll wait until nearer the time before I commit myself!

I also have been asked if I want to download windows 10, It will be installed, if you want it, in July, I cant remember the date, I have looked it up, they reckon that W10 will be installed in all new computers after that, because windows 7, which I have, will slowly be updated because windows 7 is 4yr old, It will be free for 1 year then there will be a cost.
You will lose windows media centre, if you have it installed.
It looks quite good with apps in it, and the option of multi screens.
I am still thinking about it

What happened to Windows 9? I missed that one completely!

Apparently they skipped Windows 9 on purpose!

Ana Thanks! It's good to know I haven't been that out of touch.

That's why my son was so suspicious. He wanted to know what happened to Windows 9.

It is shame to know that there are many people fall for these scams. I have read many complaints about this computer scam at Twitter and sites like whycall.me. I always recommend everyone I know, to just ignore every phone calls that require you to pay some amount of money, or require you to give out your personal or financial information. Moreover, they are someone you don't know. It is absolutely a scam.

My DH told me of a scam whereby you only have to answer the phone three times to a particular caller and they then have all your details. If it is a number I don't recognise, I don't answer it. If it is important they will leave a message anyway. I have used "who calls me" several times with numbers I don't know. They all have turned out to be scams, or sales calls!

I can't really see how that would work, Hilda.
How could they know your details simply by you picking the phone up, if all you did was put the phone down again?