possible scam

[The Flying Tench]

I had a phone call from someone with a strong Indian accent purporting to be from BT, who are not my internet service provider, saying that they were detecting problems with my internet and was I aware of this. I asked how I could know he was from BT, and he told me to go into program cmd and then after more clicks I got my license number which he was able to tell me correctly, though whether that was really evidence of anything I don't know. At that point I refused to continue as it was so hard to understand what he was saying and also I was suspicious.

 

Is there any risk that going as far as I did has compromised my computer security?

 

Thanks

John

[Steve Walker]

Definitely a scam.

 

The business with the command window was just a ruse to make you think he knew something particular about your PC.

 

The end point is to get you to give them control of your computer and to extract money from you. If you didn't do either of those things, you are OK.

[The Flying Tench]

Thanks, Steve

 

I just got as far as confirming they had the right Licence number. Hopefully that wouldn't give them any control of the computer?

 

JOhn

  On 2/9/2018 at 1:23 PM, Steve Walker said:

Definitely a scam.

 

The business with the command window was just a ruse to make you think he knew something particular about your PC.

 

The end point is to get you to give them control of your computer and to extract money from you. If you didn't do either of those things, you are OK.

[Phone]

All,

 

I just got a "new" (to me) one also. Message, "your password will expire in 5 days. Do you want to change it now?" I'm told THE SITE IS BEING MONITORED.

 

Thanks McAfee (I called them as I have a premium service)

 

Phone

[Andy_1984]

What was the command john. Also how did you obtain your copy of windows.

 

Im wondering how they got your license key and phone number of infact the command was one to display the product key at all.

 

100% scam though.

[The Flying Tench]

Thanks, Andy

 

After keying in cmd I can't remember what came next. Windows was on the machine when I got it, then Microsoft forcibly did an upgrade to Windows 10.

 

John

[Andy_1984]

Does "Assoc" Sound familiar ?

 

The key you gave isnt unique. Its not your license key.

 

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-security/i-received-a-call-from-someone-claiming-to-be/f446dc12-541a-4dc9-8324-eebf251c4c4f

[chesters1]

Unfortunately entering anything into the cmd line usually gives scammers full use of your machine.

Lots of vids about catching scammers out by usuing virtual machines but now the scammers have cottened on and getting around them.

Generally treat anyone contacting you by anything as a scam however real they sound .

Edited February 9, 2018 by chesters1

[The Flying Tench]

Thanks, Chester. Help! If I've given them full use of my machine that's worrying. The main concerns would be two bank accounts, which of course have multiple passwords. What do I need to do? Even if I get new passwords presumably they could find out what they are if I log on to them?

[Andy_1984]

If thats the only command you entered in the command prompt dont worry about it they wont have access to anything. Its a little bit more complicated than just one command. You would also need to give them an ip and probably need to add some port forwarding instructions in the router.

 

Scammers are more likely to try get you to download teamviewer. Which was probably the next step if you hadnt hung up.