My first phone call from a rep of Microsoft....

[Chuck Wintle]

Well yesterday I had a phone call from a representative of "Microsoft" telling me my computer was malfunctioning and that I should connect to a website so they could repair it. I then told him I was running Linux and not windows. Without skipping a beat he said I could connect my Linux machine so problems could be fixed. I then told him he was a scammer and that I was contacting the police and he hung up with that. The caller had a strong indian accent so it was obvious from the start. I quess they simply spend hours on the phone for their "phishing" scam.

[ken masoumi]

I have been lucky so far,I never get these "microsoft" calls to repair my computer,what we get in and around Toronto area is a lot of "free vacation" automated calls that make you listen to their whole spiel before you can talk to a live person,my wife does wait to the end so she can tell them to take us off their list.it hasn't worked .

[John Coloccia]

I put them on speaker phone and go about my day. Every so often, I'll ask a question like I don't understand. He hears me typing and clicking, and thinks I'm working on it. If I waste 30 minutes of his day, I consider it successful.

[Phil Thien]

Microsoft recently filed suit against the largest offender (a California outfit which operates call centers in India, IIRC).

They (Microsoft) seemed to think that would put a stop to it.

Nope.

[Ole Anderson]

I finally got so tired of the telemarketers and computer calls (8 of 9 in one day were from 800 numbers) I yanked the cord on my phone. Still have the number, it just goes to voicemail somewhere up in the cloud and tells them to call our cells if they know the number or leave a message and we will get it transcribed into an email, courtesy of Comcast. Now I am down to maybe one email a day from someone leaving a message. Telemarketers don't bother with a message and all of our friends now know to call our cells.

[Al Launier]

I've received those as well & am really tired of them. Putting them on a "do /not call" list doesn't work. So, on the last one I waited to get into a discussion with them & the put an air horn to the phone & blasted them. Don't know how well this worked, but at least I got a little satisfaction.

[Pat Barry]

Just tell them that you already have another Microsoft rep on the other line and they have the situation under control. Then thank them for their offer to help and hang up.

[Chuck Wintle]

I have been lucky so far,I never get these "microsoft" calls to repair my computer,what we get in and around Toronto area is a lot of "free vacation" automated calls that make you listen to their whole spiel before you can talk to a live person,my wife does wait to the end so she can tell them to take us off their list.it hasn't worked .

Have had a lot of "press 1" for free cruise. Also many "credit card debt" calls. please press 1. Seems to be no protection or screening to weed them out. I simply hang up on them or sometimes, when i lift the receiver there is no one there so I quickly hang up before they come on the line.

[Chuck Wintle]

He hung up once I mentioned the police. But with a heavy Indian accent, they must be in India somewhere, the land of scams and corruption i suppose.

[Chuck Wintle]

They did a little to stop them but the best defense is a quick hang up or mention the police.

[Chuck Wintle]

Just tell them that you already have another Microsoft rep on the other line and they have the situation under control. Then thank them for their offer to help and hang up.

Yes but they are relentless and like good fishermen they are patient and once they have a nibble they begin the reel the fish in.

[David Cramer]

I thank them for finally calling and then explain to them that my house is literally a mansion and that I have to go to the other side for good reception. I then place the phone under a pillow and walk away. I came back almost 30 minutes later and he was still on the phone. I told him to just give me one more minute and I'd be right back Like John, I was happy to waste almost 30 minutes of his day while I was turning a pen in my workshop. I never received a call like that again...how ironic

David

[Jerry Thompson]

I have had several MS scam calls. I have told them I do not own computer and they hang up. The calls still come in. I have reduced the frequency of many other unwanted calls by telling them. "Mr Thompson has just pasted away." A few have the gonads to ask if they could, "Speak to the lady of the house."

[Tony Zona]

I listen for a few minutes, then I talk dirty to them. I figure if they call me it cannot be an obscene call.

Also, I researched online what the most offensive and insulting thing I could say the them, and I have said it. It has been fun. I have actually had a few screaming and babbling at me. One called me back and I told him again.

My wife knows when I get a call like that and shakes her head.

[ken masoumi]

Remember that Seinfeld episode when he says :I'm sorry I'm busy right now,can I call you back?

How to respond to a telemarketer - The Seinfeld way
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hllDWSbuDsQ