NOTICE FOR AUSTRALIAN MARINERS--BEWARE!

[JPA Cate]

Today, Jim and I were scammed by scammers purportinging themselves to be microsoft help service. They are fake, false and aiming for one's finances.


We have notified our banks. But it took over an hour to do so. So, one cannot do it fast, even when you have two smartphones. You need to accept the total risk to your futures, and contact your banks immediately
--or as fast as you can. It isn't as quick as I thought--it may take quite a long time, whilst they are ferreting for your data.

Ann

PS: This is four hours later. The banks are sometimes VERY slow.

[more]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

We have notified our banks. But it took over an hour to do so. So, one cannot do it fast, even when you have two smartphones. You need to accept the total risk to your futures, and contact your banks immediately
--or as fast as you can. It isn't as quick as I thought--it may take quite a long time, whilst they are ferreting for your data.

Ann

PS: This is four hours later. The banks are sometimes VERY slow.

or next time simply say f*** off and end phone call.

or next time
if receive call with hi dear how are you today.
you what you want
we are Microsoft call center
you,f*** off in big jump and end call put this number in blocking list
or
don't call me I call you

what you think in your head Microsoft multibillion company call you and you are not customer. Microsoft customer is somebody who pay over 100 million annualy

[NCGunDude]

it happened to us, too, **BEWARE**

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by NCGunDude

it happened to us, too, **BEWARE**

Thanks, mate. <more's> right and so are you, and buyer beware.

[GordMay]

We [all] might be interested in “Global Media and Information Literacy Week [MIL]”
➥ https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...il-290138.html

Including: “Break the Fake: What’s real online?”
➥ https://mediasmarts.ca/break-fake/backup


Four ways to tell if something is true online
Use fact-checking tools
See if a fact-checker like Snopes.com has debunked the story.
Find the source
Click on the link in a social media post to take you to the original story, so you can see if it comes from a trusted source.
Verify the source
Check Google or Wikipedia to see if the source is real and whether they have a good track record.
Check other sources
Do a search to see if other news outlets are reporting the same story.

A lesson plan: ➥ https://mediasmarts.ca/teacher-resou...9s-real-online
Where students will:
Learn simple steps for verifying online information
Practice verifying online information
Understand media literacy key concepts

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by GordMay

We [all] might be interested in “Global Media and Information Literacy Week [MIL]”
➥ https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...il-290138.html

Including: “Break the Fake: What’s real online?”
➥ https://mediasmarts.ca/break-fake/backup


Four ways to tell if something is true online
Use fact-checking tools
See if a fact-checker like Snopes.com has debunked the story.
Find the source
Click on the link in a social media post to take you to the original story, so you can see if it comes from a trusted source.
Verify the source
Check Google or Wikipedia to see if the source is real and whether they have a good track record.
Check other sources
Do a search to see if other news outlets are reporting the same story.

A lesson plan: ➥ https://mediasmarts.ca/teacher-resou...9s-real-online
Where students will:
Learn simple steps for verifying online information
Practice verifying online information
Understand media literacy key concepts

Gord, I'd recommend our folks look at those resources.

However, Jim was innocently playing Microsoft Solitaore when a popup asked him if he'd like to play a new game.

He clicked on the popup to see what it had to offer.

Then his computer was locked.

There were flashing images and tonal warnings.

It told him to contact microsoft help, by telephone, and he did. That was the wrong move, and he did not know that at the time.

The woman on the contact (with an India Indian speech pattern) then kept him on the phone for perhaps 15-20 minutes before she hung up on him because he had told her he thought her price was extortionary.

The thing is, it all goes on in real time, and one does what one thinks is best at the time.

WHEN YOU SUDDENLY THINK IT IS WRONG, go to defense mode. Contact your bank(s) immediately. Then go to damage control, but first make sure your funds are safe.



Thanks for helping me warn people.

Ann

[boatman61]

Ann, I would check your phone account..
A major scam here is to get you to call a number where they keep you talking while racking up credits..

The Access Charge varies depending on the provider used and is:
up to 12p per minute from landlines
up to 45p per minute from mobiles.

The Service Charge depends on the number called and is:
up to 7p per minute or per call for 084 numbers
up to 13p per minute or per call for 087 numbers
up to £6 per call and/or up to £3.60 per minute for 09 numbers.
The Service Charge subsidises or pays for the service that was accessed.

So theoretically Jim's 20minute call could have added at least £80 to your phone bill.

PS the above are UK numbers, Oz is likely different.

[TrentePieds]

Take Boatman's warning seriously!

I refuse to own a "smart phone," and I get by with a flip-phone with no extras - no data no nothing! I also have a landline harking back to the days of two tin cans with a string between them.

Nevertheless, I occasionally get a call purporting to be from Canada Revenue Agency. In this 'ere colony an "Indian speech pattern" is perfectly legitimate and should not raise suspicion. We have a huge population of "south asians" many of whom are civil servants.

So for years now, whenever I get a call purporting to be from some august government agency, or from a "free ennerprize" organization headed by some profanely rich non-Canadian, my response has been an immediate and succinct: "Chuck you, Farley!". Then I hang up.

I don't DO "texting", and I don't call "help lines" of any kind.

Aux armes, citoyens!

TrentePieds

[leecea]

If you get the flashing and alarming messages that lock your screen, turn off the computer. Chances are good that when you turn it back on the issue is gone.

How did you call Microsoft? You should not call any number you get in email, txt, or screen messages.

I'm sorry this happened

Unfortunately every type of scam imaginable is now part of daily life. I'd recommend people read about them as a way to help prepare for when you are targeted. It's not a guarantee that you won't be taken in but knowing about them gives you better odds of being safe.

[jeanathon]

Scammers know what they are doing, and I know a lot of people who have been taken in by them. The key to not be fooled is to remove the sense of urgency the scammers create and perpetuate. Like in a lot of hairy boating situations, slow is fast. Once you remove the sense of urgency the scam becomes as obvious as it does in hindsight.

[sailingunity]

I've seen Youtube videos of people who string them along for as long as possible, completely wasting their time. You have to be subtle because the scammers can tell when you start to mess with them and they'll hang up.

[Lake-Effect]

My elderly Mom got bit with this, twice.

The "attack" isn't really a compromise to your system, it's a bit of javascript usually carried in an online ad, or on a malicious page, that triggers many popup windows, scary messages and alert sounds, topped off with the "call XXX support [phone number]" message. It looks and sounds scary.

The user calls the onscreen number, and the scam is

1. to get you to buy a "cleanup" service
2. to get you to divulge your card or bank details
3. to get you to use a phone number that charges you $$$/minute

When my Mom was first hit, it was actually a California company who charged her $200 to "clean it up". She later had a local computer guy look at her PC, it was fine, but he told her about the scam, and she sent in a report to VISA, and with a letter from the computer guy, and VISA finally refunded her. But the local guy himself charged $200, so it was a wash...

Second time around, she called but didn't fall for the extra billing, but she may have been bit by the phone charges.

If you get that cascade of popups and the warning message, you need to force the web browser to quit. Even, force the computer to quit - eg go to sleep by closing a laptop. The popups will hopefully not pop up again, especially if you can kill open tabs as quickly as possible when you next open the browser.

Most popular browsers have a setting that blocks all popups; that's about the only protection against this nuisance.

As a general rule, I don't trust ANY call, email, text, popup unless I initiated it myself. I trust no email links til I've inspected them. Sad state of affairs, but for now it's the best way to not be a victim.

DO NOT WASTE ANY TIME STRINGING THEM ALONG. (How boring is your life that you'd think this is fun or useful?) You're just giving them information that can be used later. Don't call the number in unknown popups or emails, don't click suspect links, Hang up immediately on unsolicited calls. Give them nothing, especially not the sound of your voice.

[BobFord]

Thank you Ann, I have noticed an increase in scam attempts . Some purporting as Centrelink , Coles .Also numerous scam or opportunist phone calls . Sadly , can only accept 'listed' numbers. What a mess !!

[landsend]

Originally Posted by jeanathon

Scammers know what they are doing, and I know a lot of people who have been taken in by them. The key to not be fooled is to remove the sense of urgency the scammers create and perpetuate. Like in a lot of hairy boating situations, slow is fast. Once you remove the sense of urgency the scam becomes as obvious as it does in hindsight.

This is the best advice!! Scammers want you in panic mode.
I've had the IRS, electric co, microsoft et al try to scam me.So far I'm ahead of them!!
Don't panic! Be happy!

[wholybee]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. Often for me the fastest way to get help from my bank is via the Internet and their website. Look for a chat icon, or there might be a way to dispute a charge right on the website.

leecea gives good advice about turning off your computer. The issue is this: Malware often depends on the user taking an action. For example, a website can't install ransomware or take your passwords or anything else without you giving it permission to do so. But that "permission" might be hidden behind the "X" that you think only closes the window. If you turn off your computer (hold down the power button for 10-20 seconds) you kill it without accidently giving it permission.

The other thing is to know what legitimate warnings look like. What anti malware is installed on your PC? If all you have is the Windows default Defender, that is perfectly fine. But learn what windows are normal to pop up. No legitimate software I have ever seen will pop up a scary looking window with flashing colors. It is usually a notification in the lower right, and will have the name of the software (Defender, McAfee, Norton) in it. Again, knowing what your computer has installed is critical.