Scam or Not?

[1955]

Today I received a phone call from Co-Mantra. A guy with a strong Indian accent claimed Microsoft was running slowly on my PC. Gave him my email address and card details - he remotely worked on my PC. He claimed £275 for a 5 year warranty (£55 per year). All sounded very genuine. Have I been scammed and if so what can I do about it?

[1955]

Thanks to everyone for their advice

[ummmm]

I wouldn't be if I was you....!!

[ChuckFickens]

you seem to be more concerned that a couple of random strangers might think you're gullible and in making sure people get your sex correct.

If that computer was in my workplace I would not allow that computer to switched on again until it was disconnected from the network and the only time it would be turned on is to reinstall windows. you have potentially given somebody access to every stored login and password on the computer and any details you enter into any website you login to from now on.

Also they may have downloaded all of your personal documents from the computer, these could very well have enough details for somebody to completely clone your identity.

So what if people are calling you gullible, it's hardly the end of the world, but if you don't act to limit the possible damage you're being stupid too

[craft1948]

^^ wot he said.............

[sara3]

anyways..................... £275 would buy you a basic new laptop ;o)

[mike11111]

I think sara3's answer is the most practical of all.

[Androcles]

1955, CoMantra is a company and they state that they are Microsoft Certified and offer a service to maintain PC's. However, ther is quite bit of debate as to whether they are genuine or not. Certainly they have some dubious business methods at best, ringing people up out of the blue and with no indication how they got your number.

So, please take the good advice you have been given. Do not connect your PC to the internet until it has been checked out and any possible malware removed as ChuckFickens has said. Make sure that you instruct your credit card company not to make any payments, and check what will happen if a demand for payment comes through from CoMantra. Just because ti hasn't been taken yet, doesn't mean they won't try. They may try and argue that you have a contract with them, so be ready to deal with that.

McAfee Site Advisor has the following comments posted:


Rating: Phishing or other scams

Unsolicited "technical-support" call to fix reported problems with my PC - of which I was unaware. Said his name was Roger, but his strong Indian accent made him difficult to understand. Was unable to identify which PC was reporting the error, nor was able to provide satifactory explanation of how he obtained my phone number. Google reveals many similar experiences, in some cases, people were persuaded to part with a lot of money. Seems like it's a scam!

Posted at 28/01/10-05:14:47 by Romney_YW, Reviewer , View profile [ Reputation score: 1 / 9 ]

Rating: Phishing or other scams

This company cold calls implying that they are service providers for Microsoft support. They then try to get you to allow remote access to your PC to supposedly fix errors reported to Microsoft, and also try to sell you a warranty - using very hard-sell techniques

[VHG]

Computeractive magazine have been looking in to this recently.

http://www.computerac...hing-attacks-increase

p.s. and ANYBODY who gives out their credit card details to someone who just "phones up" IS gullible. If soneone stopped you in the street and asked for your credit card details would you give it to them?

[1955]

I have rang Co-Mantra this morning and spoken to both "Raymond Smith" and "Roger Smith". It seems like a legit. company but they use very forceful selling techniques. I said I felt their sales technique was very pushy and they told me to ring again in a couple of hours after they had listened to the tape. They advertise as supplying unlimited PC support

[4getmenot]

legit or not as sara said you could have just bought a new laptop for that much

[1955]

I asked M&S to stop the payment (but don't know if they can) and to keep an eye on any suspicious activity on my card

[4getmenot]

good idea

[ummmm]

Why not cancel the card completely?

[Panic Button]

Read this.

Note that Comantra are mentioned as one of their names in this scam.

http://www.digitaltoa...ick-systemrecure-scam

Swallow your pride and do what these good people on AB are advising you.

[Mr k]

If i was you i would use the 7 day cooling off period to cancel this agreement.. as it is very very hard to cancel direct payments set up like this on credit cards

[boxtops]

1955, cancel your M&S card, you can ask them to reissue it with a new number. If you are in doubt and it's not all legit, then anything could be happening to your card. I share the dismay of the other posters on here that you would give your card number to a complete stranger who cold-called you. I do hope it will turn out OK for you and that a stranger does now have access to your computer AND your M&S card account.

[Mr k]

You might like to read what you have set up with this company regarding your payment


http://www.moneysavin...ng/recurring-payments

[Mr k]

Not that simply as just canceling your card you are still liable for the payments from this company..Unless you get out before your cooling off peroid ..

[society]

I don't believe 1955 really did this; perhaps there's more to this story. If you frequent AB / CB you should have learned a thing or three to know better than to allow a complete stranger into your PC. I think you are probably testing the folks on here or just winding them.

[sara3]

maybe there's a very very late ad forthcoming, lol!