02-9037-2483

This phone number was given to me by a cold caller claiming to be Brad Wilson from the "Global Computer Maintenance Department" of "Online PC Care" to perform my "Microsoft Windows Maintenance".

Brad had me access several log files on my PC and showed me a "hidden directory containing malicious file downloads". After accessing one log he actually spat out an "Oh, God!".

The logs and directory all contained benign information that is stored as part of my PC's day-to-day functions.  His claims about my PC containing "harmful files that my anti-virus could not pick up" were a complete fabrication.  Everything he said was misleading, alarmist or just plain false.

The icing on the cake - "Your computer is full of malicious files and that's what is causing it to run slow, I'm going to put you through to one of our Microsoft Certified Technicians to fix this up for you.  First, though, I need you to install a Microsoft Security Update..."

This "Maintenance" is a complete scam.  It's a ploy to have you install third-party software that does who-knows-what on your machine.  Apart from the obvious problems with remote access, this "security update" could include other functions that might disable your anti-virus, record internet habits, personal information or worse, keystrokes (ie, passwords).

If you receive a call from this mob:
- Take their details
- Get a "call-back" number
- Report them to consumer affairs!

My mother is also receiving multiple calls from the 02 9037 2483 number -- claiming to be from "Computer Technical Support" in North Sydney. The guy calling has an Asian accent and calls himself 'Ryan'. He must work an afternoon shift, as he will always call late afternoon or evening.
Again, he claims that my mother has 'computer problems' which can be easily 'fixed' if she downloads a particular file.
Funny, but when I called him and ask where exactly he works (as I too, work in North Sydney) my call was suddenly terminated...
Yes.. scam it is...

Had a call from Global Computer maintenance department.  Giving me the number 02033189416.    It was picked up and answered as "Home PC".

As a professional IT architect.   I participated in this call to understand what he was up to.  (I do not suggest others do this as the instructions given were dangerous to your personal data)

The original caller (Justin) asked me to investigate my PC by entering commands n the Run Box.   Running EventVWR , count then number of errors and warnings, and then look at INF files and then respond with 'My god'.  

Next instruction was to run WWW.logmein123.com so that a Microsoft certified technician could fix my computer.  (I did not carry out this instruction).

On questioning the security of allowing such a login. I was advised that Microsoft certified tools would be used.  Everything would be done in front of my eyes!  Questioning further I was advised that Advance Windows care would be installed and then removed.  On suggesting this was a scam. I was advised to use the above number if I was concerned.

This type of call is dangerous (Obviously) as giving stranger’s access to your PC compromises you personal data.

My mother just got a call this afternoon about this. He claimed his name was "John Williams" with a thick Indian accent. He asked my mum if she had any computer problems and she said "only a few keyboard ones" and he told my mum her computer had a "maliscious virus" and that he could fix it if she gave give remote access. She queried this, getting suspicious and he gave her Ph 02 9037 2483 to call to verify that he was legitimate, but she had to do it strait away so he could fix her machine in the next 10mins. Mum rang me in Sydney asking me my opinion. I googled the ph number and found this site. My mum will now report this to Consumer Affairs.

The call I just received came from a blocked number, but the story is the same. "On line PC care" -- but I stopped him immediately by informing him he was breaking the law by calling me (CRTC do-not-call list in Canada). The call was obviously from overseas; there was a strong echo and a delay. I caught the alleged company name but not his name; he had a marked Asian accent. He was extremely polite, some problem with my name and do-not-call, he will make sure I get no more calls. Bushwah, says I. They are not using the Canadian do-not-call list, which they don't have to do because they are outside Canada.

Of course, had I been clairvoyant and seen this discussion first, I would have let him continue to see what he was after! Thanks to the knowledgeable people reporting these activities.

While I don't have the number of the caller as he called on our home phone that has no caller ID, but the rest of the descriptions above are just about identical to what happened to me this afternoon.

Caller was "Danny" with heavy Indian accent.  Said he was from "Computer Maintenence Department".  After twice asking what company's computer maintenence dep't, he said "World PC Tech".  He went on to advise me that their records showed that my computer had recently accessed a unsafe site on the internet and was probably infected.

As I had my own software development business for the last 22 years, I immediately asked him for the IP address that was used and the URL of the dodgy site.  He then said, "Please wait" and promptly hung up.  

Pity actually, as I should have memenged to get more info out of him.  We are on a Do-Not-Call list.

My mother was called by this mob today too.  Luckily her laptop was actually at my place so she couldn't do as they asked.  She said they were from Microsoft and they had offered to fix her PC.  She also said they sounded very professional and she was going to do as they asked.  This number is the number they gave if she wanted to call them.

I would suggest checking this link out if you've been rung by these people:
http://www.police.qld.gov.au/News+and+Alerts/ ... crosoftscam.htm

I had a similar call [in Adelaide] last Saturday.
This time the phone number he gave [Asian voice claiming to be from the Computer Maintenance Department] was 0390149898
I was suspicious anyway, but laughed at him when he tried to persuade me that although I thought I had bought a Mac it was running Microsoft.  I wonder what he would have asked me to do if I had continued

I am in the UK and just had a similar call from a withheld number.  Being slightly suspicious i disconnected the router so the internet could not be accessed.  The very polite guy with a strong asian accent went on to show me that i had malicious files on my computer and when i told him roughly how many his reply again was "oh my god".  I then explained that i worked for a software company and would get someone at work to take a look at it he hastily ended the call.

That was annoying, but fun....
I am in the UK and got the call the other day but had to go to work. I told them to call back another time and they called right on schedule.
I then listened to his bullsh*t about the infection but kept causing him to trip up and repeat himself.
I even tripped him up because he was adamant I get to my computer immediately - I said which bloody one exactly, I have several?? He repeated that I have an infection nonsense again...
Although he was telling me to do things I just stared at my computer :)
They dont to know how to get around in Windows 7 - with microsofts support?
He then tried to get me onto the websites and I kept telling him that the website was reported to microsoft for phishing / malware and that it was blocked. Why would a company have several different websites to carry out the same tasks? (to keep the scam active!)
The best part was when he wanted my email address to send me a direct link - he should already have it, being a legitimate company with my phone number. I told him I dont use emails. He then said 'but you use social networking sites so I should have one' to which I corrected him and said I dont (TRUE) and that they were the ones who said I used them.
He passed me onto his team mate who then gave up and said they would call back...

The stuff they show you on the computer is just any errors which your computer may pick up on - program crash etc. All mine are sent to microsoft and I receive the repairs automatically if needed.

In such an advanced technical world that we live in today - who in their right mind would call you up out the blue to tell you your computer has an infection?

Its like me knocking on your door and making up something like you have a bad cough and make you actually believe it - even though you could probably sing like an angel - then sell you some jesus juice to fix your throat ;p All better sir! Congratulations on your recovery...

I had a call from these guys today too.  I've had a few recently and i love playing with them.  I'm an IT Manager and very Windoze literate.  Like David - UK, i just got him to talk me through the event Viewer while i stood outside and had a smoke.  
I think I wasted about 20 minutes of their time - feeding them b*llsh*t all along, although they were saying this was a "free checkup".  I went through three operators in all.  None of them were real windoze users, and obviously reading from a prepared script.
But i love the suggestion of getting a URL for them and then telling them it is a phishing site, I'll use that one next time.
Yes, I'm bored at home and easily entertained.  The last fellow i spoke to didn't really understand what i meant when i explained in great detail what he should do with the 8" carrot from his fridge.  ROFL

Please note: I got a call from this number and I work in a high level secure government department that tracks down these scams. They are based in soundern Indian that redirect their calls through Sydney call centre that is run out of a small building in the Asian district. The AFP are looking into them and an arrests should be made. A warning to Global Computer Maintenance, if you call any Australian Citizen we are able to track you and are doing so as you read this.

In reply to MB13, how do we report these scammers.  I have just about had enough of them.  I have tried ACCC, and a couple of other agencies, but it seems that nobody is willing to take a complaint or report.  The only suggestion most of them give is "add yourself to the DO NOT CALL list"  Perhaps I am just a bit stubborn, but why should I have to do this?  They are the ones in the wrong - not me.  Would appreciate a contact or place to go for reporting these scams

Just received a call from the same mob.  My phone is already on the Do Not Call list but it obviously doesn't make any difference.  I too would like to know how to report these people as I am concerned for those who are not as aware of the harm they can do.  
The call I received today was from THE computer maintenance department but she soon got tired of my asking who she was and hung up.
Don't give these people the chance to get into your computer.  Hang up immediately.

i had a call from this company today, i was transferred through 3 seperate people, when i said i would not make any computer changes until i called them back or organised some verification, the operator became quite agressive and stated that he would make sure i would not be able to access any windows services to have the problem fixed.

I then called he company back on the number that the previous operator provided, and spoke with a manager who stated that he was from a different company. I informed that i wished to complain about the prevous operator, and he stated that he could only put me on the do not call list.

3 minutes later the operator that was agressive called back saying what is your problem, dont you want your computer fixed, so i terminated the call.

I do not beleive that a company like microsoft would allow this service to happen, and they refused to send an e-mail to me stating what the issues are that have been found.

I have just received calls this week from a company that I was suspicious of.  The caller had an Asian accent and spoke quite quickly.  He said his name was "Ron" (could by Ryan) and he was from "Computer Maintenance ........... Health.....Department".  I asked him to repeat the name of the company several times with no improvement.  My caller ID said he was from "Overseas".  So much for being on the "Do Not Call Register".

He knew my name and that I had had some errors/problems recently.  I reluctantly told him I had but only when I had used Skype (will be removing that now).  He started to tell me that my computer was full of malicious software etc.  When I told him I have virus software he made some sort of dismissive comment that annoyed me and rang alarm bells.  He then started to tell me what I should do to fix my computer, however, between the speed of his speech and his accent I couldn't understand him.

I then told him that my father is a computer technician (very true) and that he had looked at my computer and I knew what was needed to fix the problems.

"Oh, your father is a computer technician?" said he.  
"Yes" said I.
"Ok ma'am.  Have a nice day." says he and promptly hangs up!

This company can obviously intercept error reports that are supposed to go to Microsoft.  I won't be sending anymore.  Just in case this crowd is in with Skype, I won't be using that programme anymore.

The caller made the company sound "official", "legitimate" and I am concerned that many people would fall for this scam.

Fortunately, I am immediately suspicious of anyone I don't know coming to my door or ringing me.

Hi Sheham, You sound like many people who have unwittingly sent an error report when a problem occurred with Skype. (how else do you think they know who you are). Good idea to remove Skype and have nothing further to do with it.  Much safer to use telephones which are secure.

I had the same call.
After all the stuff about running event viewer to see all the viruses and malware I have got from accessing a russian cheat site (Windefender did warn me !) they wanted me to run logmein123 which would have given them access to all the data on my computer !!!!!!
I ran a google on worldpctech.com scam
They went on about how if I google "my name scam" i will see lots of results so theirs is not a scam
Having been transferred 3 times to "more qualified engineers) who admitted he was calling from Pakistan we had a long conversation about the state of the Pakistan cricket team - that always gets them in and they are paying for the call.!

Does the "do not call" register apply to overseas ? what could they do about it anyway.

I also got the call tonight. Once I threatened to report them to Consumer Affairs the lady hung up.

Just had a phonecall from a "Global Computer Foundation" claiming I had malicious files and junk mail she could help me to get rid out yet when I answered the phone she asked "Do you have a computer?" strange, since she already knows my computer "has" malicious files inside it. She wouldn't tell me how she got my number or knowledge that my computer contained malicious content and getting annoyed, I hung up and decided to look this up online. It seems dodgy and I will not give them any of my time in future.