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Tables turned on 'Microsoft' scammer

A Fin24 user wants to spare someone else the horrifying few minutes she endured when a scammer posing as a Microsoft technician cleaned out her account. She writes:

I DON'T think people know that when it happens they must phone the bank immediately, often times the transaction can be blocked or reversed, if you are quick on the draw.

My agony began when I received a phone call from a "Microsoft Support Center" saying that 20 000 personal computers sold in South Africa since last year October were issued with faulty software.

This person knew my name, my home number, when I bought my PC, from where I bought it and they even knew it was HP Pro Book.

The "technician" guided me through my PC, running a series of checks to see if it was "faulty". I was guided to an area in my PC where a multitude of warnings appeared and I was obviously alarmed to see about 400 red warnings suddenly flashing on the screen.

The man told me that I was sold a faulty copy of Windows 7, that my PC was riddled with viruses and I would need to purchase a cheap patch from the "Microsoft Support Center" which would fix the fault and remove all viruses. Of course (like an absolute FOOL) I agreed despite that little voice in the back of my mind screaming at me.

I was told I would need to fill in a form to open a Microsoft Support Account, and that no money would be debited from me until I received my user code via email from Microsoft shortly.

As soon as I gave my details my bank account was cleaned out, while the "technician" was still assuring me that my email from Microsoft was on its way for me to select a package.

Of course I freaked out, and the little scamming b@$^@rd laughed at me and put the phone down.

LUCKILY I bank with Nedbank and they were able to stop the transaction immediately. Refunding me my money in minutes.
That is the first and last time I fell for a scam!

- Fin24

* Have you ever been scammed through phishing? Tell us and get published.

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