How the Microsoft/LogMeIn support scam works

The call came through to my home office via VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), and during I was by no means whatsoever fooled by the scam, I could then imagine the less computer literate making a horrible mistake – hence my duty to report the experience.

According to the caller, I was registered in "Windows Operating Services" and was being called because of bad data "installed on all Windows computers".

Weird twist of logic he asked me if I had a computer

In a weird twist of logic he asked me if I had a computer, and whether it ran Windows. These people aren’t trained particularly so then. However the script does get a little more clever once you buy their story.

The offer of remote support starts with asking the victim to press the Windows button and ‘R’ – which brings up the ‘run’ dialogue.

The victim is at the time asked to type in ‘inf’

The victim is at the time asked to type in ‘inf’, which takes you to a Windows Explorer window listing files used to install the Windows Operating System.

These, the scammer said, are the files slowing down my system, downloaded from "watching videos on the internet".

Unsolicited "support" calls are most likely a scam,aimed at convincing you to buy security software you don’t need, and like as not even stealing information from your PC.

How to deal with these guys

iTnews journalist Liz Tay gave her mother some great advice on how to deal with these guys. String them along, and just when they think they have a sale, ask if the Windows button is supposed to look like an apple.

Scammer: “Sir, we have information about bad data installed on all Windows computers, sir. We are calling every Windows user.”

BW: “Previously you do that. Can I tell you something? I know specifically what this is about. I know that you are being paid to sit in a call centre, somewhere in other words not in Melbourne, to make these calls...."