I just hung up on someone who called and said "Mrs. Lippy" your Windows computer is at risk. When I asked how he got my name, he said that I was the primary user of the computer and that "we" were concerned about a problem that I didn't know about. I asked him who "we" was and didn't get a satisfactory answer, so I just said I didn't trust him and hung up.
Would anyone legit from Microsoft or Time-Warner cable initiate a phone call like this, or were my instincts correct?
Phishing?
Started by Lippy, Aug 02 2012 06:20 PM
6 replies to this topic
#1
Lippy
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Posted 02 August 2012 - 06:20 PM
My old blog: http://newyorkandels...e.blogspot.com/
My new blog: http://newwalksinnew....wordpress.com/
My new blog: http://newwalksinnew....wordpress.com/
#2
GordonCooks
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Posted 02 August 2012 - 06:48 PM
I just hung up on someone who called and said "Mrs. Lippy" your Windows computer is at risk. When I asked how he got my name, he said that I was the primary user of the computer and that "we" were concerned about a problem that I didn't know about. I asked him who "we" was and didn't get a satisfactory answer, so I just said I didn't trust him and hung up.
Would anyone legit from Microsoft or Time-Warner cable initiate a phone call like this, or were my instincts correct?
I'd say your instincts are about 100-110% correct.
Jazz is musical improvisation; it is the art of the moment. In the recording of jazz, the inspiration and inventiveness of this moment is made permanent by technology, giving pleasure many years after the performance.
Photography is jazz for the eye. - William Claxton
Photography is jazz for the eye. - William Claxton
#3
Wilfrid
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Posted 02 August 2012 - 07:19 PM
Yes.
Why live your life when you could curate it?
At the Sign of the Pink Pig
#4
hollywood
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Posted 02 August 2012 - 07:37 PM
I think if he were legit, he'd call back in a day. If illegit, probably wait a week and have a slightly different approach.
I'd give it all up, for just a little bit more.
Monty Burns
Monty Burns
#5
Rail Paul
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Posted 02 August 2012 - 09:26 PM
It sounds like somebody had access to your phone number, and your name. Assuming they used your conventional name, it's possible they had access to a store's mailing list or a petition or even a political contribution list. Or a bank, or anywhere these two items are linked.
Considering the number of people who use Windows based machines, they could have been guessing you have a windows system, as well. We get a lot of calls soliciting us to sign up with this or that electricity and gas supplier. Since we live on the border of JCP&L and PSE&G, many of these cold calls tell us our bill is 25% too high. Even though we don't use that company.
If your spam and firewall products are in good order, I don't think I'd be too concerned
Considering the number of people who use Windows based machines, they could have been guessing you have a windows system, as well. We get a lot of calls soliciting us to sign up with this or that electricity and gas supplier. Since we live on the border of JCP&L and PSE&G, many of these cold calls tell us our bill is 25% too high. Even though we don't use that company.
If your spam and firewall products are in good order, I don't think I'd be too concerned
"Peter Kiewit looked for three things in hiring people. He looked for integrity, intelligence and energy. And he said if a person didn’t have the first…that the latter two would kill him. Because if they don’t have integrity, you want ‘em dumb and lazy. You don’t want ‘em smart and energetic.”
Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett
#6
Orik
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Posted 03 August 2012 - 02:42 PM
Hi, may I speak with Mrs. Lippy?
Speaking.
I'm just calling from Microsoft to tell you everything is just fine!
Speaking.
I'm just calling from Microsoft to tell you everything is just fine!
I never said that
#7
Nathan
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Posted 03 August 2012 - 03:27 PM
It sounds like somebody had access to your phone number, and your name. Assuming they used your conventional name, it's possible they had access to a store's mailing list or a petition or even a political contribution list. Or a bank, or anywhere these two items are linked.
you mean they had a phonebook?
Blatantly Obvious Disclaimer:
My opinions are obviously my personal opinions. Not yours. Not universal.
My opinions are obviously my personal opinions. Not yours. Not universal.
