Thought I better put this up as a public service announcement.

You may get a call from someone claiming to be from windows tech support, or a company that works assisting windows tech support. Normally, you hang up now, but I decided to play this call off to see what would happen. The first person who calls you will ask you to connect your computer to the internet, open up the start menu, right click on the computer option, and then left click on manage. He will then pass you to his "supervisor".

He will then tell you to go into Events Viewer, then filter logs to critical, error, and warning. He will then use that as proof that your computer is riddled with viruses that can not be reached by normal virus scanners (this is an immediate alert to bullshit, as they can even pick up on stuff hidden in the system folders if you are using a quality virus scanner). He will promptly direct you to http://www.ammyy.com/en/ and tell you to click on the green box that says "Start working with Ammyy Admin".

Now, before I get told I was an idiot, I didn't download the program. Googling the site gets you the site itself plus pages of scam alerts. Basically, the program acts like a remote desktop connection that lets outside users access your computer without your permission, avoiding all of your security. Using the data from there they could easily commit identity fraud depending on what files you keep on there.

Finally, they may use your name, street address, and phone number as "proof " that thy are legit. Considering that error reports send none of those things and that you can buy packets of addresses, phone numbers and names online if you know where to look, don't fall for this bullshit.

Thanks for the tip. I do find it odd, however, that they called you. Usually crap like that comes from the dark recesses of your inbox.

I Google'd the site and read the multiple scam alert threads. Pretty interesting how they can sound so convincing.

SEE! THIS IS WHAT THE DOLLARS ARE FOR! WE LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER! THAT'S WHY I JOINED! ^_^

They keep calling here too. I study IT, so I would love to talk to them haha, but unfortunately I haven't been home when they call.. and luckily my mum hasn't fallen for it :D

Good job letting us know :)

Huh... that's interesting. A friend of mine was almost tricked by that a few days ago.