windows microsoft support call

The same woman: Nicole Pitt called me three times in 5 weeks:
Is that Mr xxxx yes, I am Nicole Pitt from windows, Microsoft I am calling about your computer, it is sending error messages out continuously. Service provider error reports, you have viruses and trojan's you have downloaded we need to help you fix your computer are you in front of it? yes But I was not)
I instead got a pen and notepad as this was the third call from her and the first for me to do anything she asked (by ball pen only) So I tapped the table with the ballpen and wrote what she said.

I would like you to press start yes (tap) run yes (tap) etc... what do you see? I can't hardly see anything I do not have my glasses on I was just walking past the computer when you called me. What am I looking for?
Do you see a box, yes, well clear everything that is in it, ok, done. I will give you a command to tyoe into it, ok,
(eventvwr) all in one word please and press enter. ok, done.

ok what do you see? virtually nothing I don't have my glasses here. Look on the left side and locate application ok
click on it, ok, right side list of information, scroll down see errors with red crosses next to them date time scroll down error reports, wow the seems lots...
On left side find below application find (system), yes click on it, see more errors, yes ok close everything down. OK.
Now run/get rid of all of that and get it cleared. yes, key in www.support.me then press enter? done
I will give you a support connection code: 836034, press enter, done do you see action run save files, yes
Choose the run option? ok.
lady I am in a real hurry I am now already really late. wait just a moment and a tech will help you..
I can't see anything.. just wait a moment, I still can't see anything I will have to do this tomorrow I have to go can I call you on the phone and tell you when I have time to fix all of this ? Just a moment.... ok I will give you
a number to call 0280033166 it is in Sydney. Sydney ? I can't call cause that is long distance and I can only call local. Can you give me your email address I can send you an email and advise you what time I will be available tomorrow. wait a minute.... ok [email protected] ok thanks, I still can't see the tech, what do you see? my screen is all blue... what? my screen is all blue and it seems like it is frozen... ok I will contact you tomorrow, bye.
I went and turned on my computer and it failed to start several times I unplugged an shifted cables etc eventually got it going and my keyboard started malfunctioning.
I rebuilt it from discs again, 3rd time since she started calling me.
She had my real name and phone number, from the phone book probably.
Amanda

As you said, your name and number were likely pulled from the phone book.

Microsoft does not cold call customers about support issues. Neither does any other computer manufacturer or software company. If you receive a call out of the blue about error messages on your computer, hang up.


These people are definitely not helping you. Generally the plan is to do one or both of the following:

1) gain access to your computer, and create an opening (often by installing a virus) for future access--this gives them access to lots of personal information for theft or even identity theft.
2) create a problem, then sell you the solution to fix the problem they created.

Here is a warning issued by Microsoft a few months ago, when this scam was making the rounds of Australia.
http://www.microsoft.com/australia/presspass/post/Microsoft-issues-warning-on-phone-scam

If you did not do a full clean reinstall, I would strongly recommend a thorough virus scan with reputable security software.

An interesting article I found here

http://www.computeractive.co.uk/ca/news/1912168/police-close-pc-support-fraudsters/page/1