Emergency with Windows security issues SCAM

We just got a phone call from “Windows” telling us that there was an emergency with our Windows.  That there are security issues.  First they had our phone number and last name – big deal you can get that from any phone book.  Second – if there was an issue with windows security how would they know to contact us?  Why would they. 

Next the guy would not tell us anything but that there was an emergency with our security.  We don’t depend on windows security – we have our own software we use to protect our computers.  Also if someone was contacting us from Windows they would know how many copies we have, what computers they are on and all the “registration and any special identifiers we have to access our computer”.  This was a scam to try and gain access to our computer.  They are trying to get our info to access the computer and our banking info, emails and more. 

PLEASE DONT FALL FOR IT IF YOU GET A PHONE CALL.  ASK YOURSELF – WHY WHOULD THEY CALL ME!  HOW WOULD THEY KNOW MY NAME AND PHONE NUMBER BUT NOT MY WINDOWS REGISTRATION INFO?  If you did not register your windows program – then they would not have your name or phone number.  Also if they were from Windows the phone number would not be “unavailable”.  The person would identify who they are, their job title and why they were calling – not that they were from Windows and that there is an emergency. 

Also if on the odd chance that Windows did actually call someone they would tell the person to go to the Windows web site (not a web site they will give you the URL for – you don’t want to open an unknown website from an unknown person trying to convince you to give our your information or download a program).

We got a second call today – same people.  Only this time there was a technical error or issue with Windows.  They could not tell us what the error was and hung up on us when we told them to tell us what exact error they were calling about.  We reported the calls to the local police.  They are getting quite a few calls regarding this.

As per the local Hamilton police – The callers are currently identifying themselves as calling from Windows or Microsoft, though they may change that at any time and claim to be calling from any company.  Do not give the callers any personal information, information about your computer or programs on the computer, and do not give them any money or information about your credit cards or bank accounts.  It is a complete scam to get people to pay them money to fix a non-existing issue.  Also they are trying to get peoples information to get into their computers, bank accounts and identity theft.  So do not give any information to these people. If they don’t know your information – they are fake and just trying to get it from you.

Also these scam artists are hitting a lot of people.  If you can get info from them such as a name, phone number or way to find them great – make sure you let the police know any info you get. However, they tend to hang up the phone instead of providing any information, not even a name.  If you have given them any information about yourself, your computer software or credit cards you need to report right away.  As a rule do not ever give out your information in any shape or form (name, birth date, SIN, bank information, credit cards, or programs on your computer) unless you know exactly who you are giving it to and what it is being used for – and never to someone who calls you or emails you.  Some people have been sent forms to fill in and mail back asking for personal, banking and other information.  Don’t fill them in because you don’t actually know who is getting them. It is just another form of this scam and other scams. 

Be smart! Be Safe!