[Member 559027]

Hi guys

got a call from an indian lady telling me to give them control of my computer through ammyy, thought it was a bit suspect and looked it up, found this thread talking about the phone scams.
was fully convinced its was a scam when she got angry threatend to shut my computer down.... just like to thank u guys for savin my backside haha thought it was quite funny when for the 6th time i asked for a contact number she told me to go to hell.

[markdwweasel]

I just got a call today from these scammers. Played along and played dumb. I got them to give me their number to call. I called it and verified it was them.

Anyway, the number is 1-888-986-7789
Using google, i found them.... guess what, their homepage advertises exactly the scam they're trying to pull.

http://www.24x7livesupport.com/contactus.php

Looks like they're based in Indiana, US. Someone should contact the FBI.

Mark

[Chris Muriel]

You can contact the Indiana office by email.
See FBI — Indianapolis where it gives an email address of Indianapolis@ic.fbi.gov

[dc8900]

I'm not too familiar with U.S. law but would this be a federal matter?

[andgregor]

Just wasted 20 mins of one of their guys time. Rang me 3 times today already. Managed to get a name and number to 'call them back' on: Tyler Anderson - +442081330602. Tyler, good old American sounding name with a central London number, wow must be from Microsoft..NOT !

They don't listen to what you say either, told him several times he has absolutely no chance that I will install anything on my PC, resorted to trying to get me to go to http://join.me so he could gain access, fat chance mate..

Have a very good technical knowledge as it is my job, was a little bit amusing trying to get the guy on the phone to explain to me how Adobe crashing and leaving an entry in the Event Viewer was a sign on a virus on my PC that 'no AV or Anti-Spyware software could get rid of', jokers.

DO NOT LISTEN TO THESE PEOPLE THEY ARE TRYING TO SCAM YOU OUT OF YOUR MONEY AND ARE THIEVES...!

For the technically (and slightly evil minded), like me, I almost got the guy to install the software to 'demo it for me' with the promise that I would do it afterwards. A bit of you show me yours... I got the impression he was cut off and I was talking to someone else quite quickly afterwards :D A bit of DEL C: /F /S /Q could have been interesting for them..

[evushi]

so they call my dad who hands me the phone. Interesting how their names are so American sounding and yet their accents are SO there. They tell me they are calling from Canada, yet they could not pronounce the name of my street ....BRUNSWICK
- they also gave me a support # to call back when im ready to install 1-647-931-1746
interestingly enough i also got passed on to the "suppervisor" who was so damn patient and so willing to prove to me this was legit. He answered all my questions and i just thought to myself When i have a computer problem im sitting on hold for hrsss and today this guy calls me out of the blue to hep me. At one point i think he said " we wanna help you get rid of all the viruses on your beautiful compute"
Anyway as i was following along i googled this ammy thing and came across this site, i told them id call them back.
Unfortunately i d/l the amyy program, and at that point he asked me to share my ID on the screen so his computer tech could access my computer.

pls spare me the comments of how dumb i was to fall for it... i know

how can i uninstall it? it wont let me

[dc8900]

Originally Posted by evushi

pls spare me the comments of how dumb i was to fall for it... i know

how can i uninstall it? it wont let me

if you have a back up, nuke your HDD and re-install fresh, it's an extreme measure but we have no idea what these people are doing and from reading of other peoples experiences, they do pretty much make a mess of things under the hood.

[scammell scarab]

today i had a asian man phone me today from ammyy.co claiming my home computer was infecting other peoples computers, so i followed his instructions and to my luck my protection system blocked access claiming its catalogued as phishing. he started to get very irate and nasty so i hung up. the time was 11.54am and the phone number is 02088195913. he never rang back...........
SO BE AWARE OF AMMYY.COM

[spyder viewer]

Originally Posted by scammell scarab

today i had a asian man phone me today from ammyy.co claiming my home computer was infecting other peoples computers, so i followed his instructions and to my luck my protection system blocked access claiming its catalogued as phishing. he started to get very irate and nasty so i hung up. the time was 11.54am and the phone number is 02088195913. he never rang back...........
SO BE AWARE OF AMMYY.COM

Googling this phone number suggests that it is a common source of scamming calls. Can I suggest you contact the Police - internet fraud and let us know how you get on!

[amazerbeam]

Hello, first post, unfortunately not a happy subject I'm not bad with computers but unfortunately far too polite and trusting of people.

I got as far as giving these scammers remote access to my comp but finally hung up when they started asking for my bank details. I've since restored my computer to a point days before the call, I've ran my full registered version of mcafee antivirus twice with no major threats found, I'm running 'super anti spyware' right now and plan to run malwarebytes next for good measure. I've also blocked my bank accounts and changed my passwords on my email and such.

This question has been asked before, but not sure if it's been fully answered. I watched the 'technician' the whole time he had access to my comp, all he did was run a 'scan'. Is it possible that he was able to access or download my files behind the scenes, without me knowing during this time? I've had one hell of a week, hoping for a positive answer.

Thank you everyone for a very helpfull topic

Edit: super anti spyware and malwarebytes haven't found any problems. I have a dell which comes with a pc check up test, for the hard drive and memory etc. All the tests passed, no problems. Just checked my task manager and didn't find any out of the ordinary processes running. Is there anything else I should be doing? I like to think that the worst is over, but what can I say, I worry :/

[BenzilB]

Hi guys, just received this call, again sounded like an indian call centre. They got me to run the website using Microsoft run, but then got suspicious of this and didnt do anything else. I didnt run anything except the website, will i be ok or is their anything you would recommend? They gave me an 0203 number when i asked for it, but the call definitely wasnt from th UK

[Iccz]

Originally Posted by BenzilB

Hi guys, just received this call, again sounded like an indian call centre. They got me to run the website using Microsoft run, but then got suspicious of this and didnt do anything else. I didnt run anything except the website, will i be ok or is their anything you would recommend? They gave me an 0203 number when i asked for it, but the call definitely wasnt from th UK

You'll be fine, what they try and do is lure you in to giving them access to your computer, as long as you don't do that you shouldn't have any issues.

If you want to erase any doubt then run your virus scanner, and try a copy of Malwarebytes which is free: Malwarebytes : Free anti-malware, anti-virus and spyware removal download

That should give you peace of mind.

[BenzilB]

Really appreciate your help, i was pretty sure i was ok but just needed reassuring. Thanks again

[Mick Welsh]

'Eric Foster' called me out of the blue tonight, 27/9/11, and gave me a story of how Windows had detected more than a thousand virus attacks on my computer (the criterion for Windows to telephone customers) and I would be guided to the steps needed to correct the problem.
He ignored my 'SCAM' suggestion and repeated an unconvincing explanation of his Windows credentials. This led to him eventually providing the equally-unconvincing name given above (despite his heavy Asian accent.).
However (!),using 'RUN, and 'eventvwr' plus Applications, a page of Trojan viruses were shown
Using RUN -www.ammyy.com, he got me to the 'ammyy' home page where he wanted me to download the Free ammyy Admin programme.
I noticed the Remote Control information on that page and my feet got even colder (I had determined only to go as far as felt safe).
But having already reluctantly clicked the 'Start Working With Ammy' box, he told me to override a Windows Security alert pop-up which appeared.
At that point I clicked the 'Don't Run' button to stop the download and told him I wanted to check him out further and he should call me again tomorrow night.
He rang off.

I then rang the telephone number which I'd asked him for at the outset, 0128 1995702: it was,surprisingly, a dead line.

[TDyl]

I know we're told not to feed the trolls, but these ammyy scammers deserve it; unfortunately they probably use skype or some other voip s/w to call out (should still cost them to call a landline). I just kept four of them talking and spinning their BS (initial caller, his supervisor, "tech support" guy and his supervisor) for over an hour. First off, it threw them a curveball when I said I had no Windows key on my laptop Next they took me into various event viewer sections and tried convincing me that the errors and warnings were evidence of "unwanted programs" and got a bit shirty when I told them there weren't any errors or warnings because my anti-virus and anti-malware kills everything and they claimed anti-whatever software won't protect against unwanted programs. Up next, they got me to open the INF folder and claimed everything in there was because it was INFected! I was finding it hard not to laugh out loud at this point.
They then tried getting me to visit ammyy.com and then teamviewer.com but each time I said my browser wouldn't load the page because my security add-ons were blocking access to fraudulent pages (they then tried getting me to override the warnings and couldn't give a valid reason why I should).
I think the penny was beginning to drop at their end and before they could swear at me, I laughed and said thanks for letting me waste all your time - that's when the battery on my phone died.
All-in-all, a lovely start to a Wednesday morning. Great fun, apart from not being able to tell them I am a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and they have just had their call traced and the information passed to Interpol (neither of which is true, of course).

[talula]

hey i had one of these fone calls today of an indian guy claimg that he was somethin to do with microsoft and he had notice my laptop had these errors and he would be able to help me get rid of them, at the min iv got baby brain ha so i wasnt really thinkin so i whent along with wot he was askin me to do. he was telling me to press the windows icon button on the bottom left an presss R till the run box came up, me to type ammyy.com in the box wich then took me to a website where he then told me to click on the download link and run which SILLY ME i did it and to myself i was thinkin this doesnt sound right and it started to download it and in the mean time i would be on hold for 5 mins were any guy from microsoft would then come sort this out for me i put the fone down.. i quicky cancelled it closed all windows now im worried they may have my information also after putting the fone down the wrang back 3 times within space of secons wich i didnot answere any of the calls...

[Deadringers]

Originally Posted by talula

hey i had one of these fone calls today of an indian guy claimg that he was somethin to do with microsoft and he had notice my laptop had these errors and he would be able to help me get rid of them, at the min iv got baby brain ha so i wasnt really thinkin so i whent along with wot he was askin me to do. he was telling me to press the windows icon button on the bottom left an presss R till the run box came up, me to type ammyy.com in the box wich then took me to a website where he then told me to click on the download link and run which SILLY ME i did it and to myself i was thinkin this doesnt sound right and it started to download it and in the mean time i would be on hold for 5 mins were any guy from microsoft would then come sort this out for me i put the fone down.. i quicky cancelled it closed all windows now im worried they may have my information also after putting the fone down the wrang back 3 times within space of secons wich i didnot answere any of the calls...

Did you just download it or run anything?

[talula]

Originally Posted by Deadringers

Did you just download it or run anything?

i clicked on run then it asked me did i want to make changes to my computer so i cliked yes i dont think i did download beacause the window would of came up askin me were i would want to save the program, i quickly closed all the windows. then me laptop started to go funny windows keept poping up then a box came up askin if i was still there this was after i put the fone down ...i later checked my add and remove programs there was nothing doggey there what id downloaded..

[dc8900]

Originally Posted by talula

then me laptop started to go funny windows keept poping up then a box came up askin if i was still there this was after i put the fone down

sounds like they already took control of your pc, do a restore to before you took that call

[yorkshireman194]

Regret I fell for this at first - how embarrassing. Usually I am extremely savvy, but momentary loss of concentration?. As soon as I realised I pulled the plug - but I am not sure how far I am compromised - but I do know that I let them in !

As a precaution I have frozen all my internet banking (by telephone), and reset my computer to 2 days ago. All my accounts are intact.

However I am concerned that they can still access my computer any time they want. BTW I have deleted remote access facility. Hopefully when they realise that my accounts are frozen they will not bother.

What else are these clowns likely to do? They cannot access any cash,and they do not have any security details, as they are all used only on secure sites ( I hope !).

What I need to do now is prevent any future access,and try to get back to normal.

As I am not very technical any help would be helpful.

Wish I had found this forum earliker.Googled scam in desperation.

Thanks

[talula]

Originally Posted by dc8900

sounds like they already took control of your pc, do a restore to before you took that call

so what does that mean then they have access to everythin i do on my comp..
i was just worried about my online banking so i did contact my bank and let them know they will be keeping an eye on my account is there anythin i can do to proctect my comp i cant believe i was thick enough to do this it's really ****** me off..

[dc8900]

Originally Posted by talula

so what does that mean then they have access to everythin i do on my comp..
i was just worried about my online banking so i did contact my bank and let them know they will be keeping an eye on my account is there anythin i can do to proctect my comp i cant believe i was thick enough to do this it's really ****** me off..

Well if they were sending messages saying why did you hang up, that means they had remote access to your computer.

if you're really worried, back up all your data and programs/program licenses onto an external hard drive etc and then do a fresh re-install of Windows, it's drastic but it does offer some peace of mind.

[h4.]

OMG

The first posts from last year on this thread are soooooo funny.

I dont know, i know people just want to 'use their pcs' and not want to maintain it and all the rest of it, but I just don understand how they let a stranger convince them to give access. I know, i know....

i think these poor souls are somewhat to blame also. I know its not their fault and their not techies but i mean... you just....

Maybe somebody needs to tell Watchdog or something....

[dc8900]

Originally Posted by yorkshireman194

Regret I fell for this at first - how embarrassing. Usually I am extremely savvy, but momentary loss of concentration?. As soon as I realised I pulled the plug - but I am not sure how far I am compromised - but I do know that I let them in !

If you want re-assurance, save your files/program license and do a wipe and re-install of your system.

From what I've seen the main aim of this scam is to sell scareware/useless support but with the methods they use it could lead to ID theft. So good thing you have your bank monitoring it as well (Do also monitor like a hawk yourself)

[Iccz]

Originally Posted by h4.

OMG

The first posts from last year on this thread are soooooo funny.

I dont know, i know people just want to 'use their pcs' and not want to maintain it and all the rest of it, but I just don understand how they let a stranger convince them to give access. I know, i know....

i think these poor souls are somewhat to blame also. I know its not their fault and their not techies but i mean... you just....

Maybe somebody needs to tell Watchdog or something....

Feeling better now?

[Letsgetem]

I had one of these calls today and having read about the scam I decided to have a bit of fun with the caller I took on the character of a dopey elderly woman and wasted over 30 minutes of 'Mick's' time (such a common name with Indians!). After every instruction, starting with telling me to switch my computer on, I then said, 'Hold on please' and went and did some jobs in my house. I would then come back to the phone and ask him to repeat the instructions. Getting me to type ammyy into my address bar took him 10 minutes alone until I 'got it right' He finally asked me if I couldn't take my phone to the computer but I said my 'compooter' was in another room. I even got him hanging on while I 'went to look for my glasses'. Having finished all my jobs and ready to leave to go shopping, I told 'Mick' that my friend Hilda had just arrived and I had to make her a cup of tea. Goodbye young man

[PlaneTalking]

Just had the call from India telling me my computer has a problem and could I turn it on.

This forum came up as I typed the domain into google to check as I thought it was a bit of a scam - a quick scan proved me right - a big thank you for the forum!

Having seen the bit about wasting their time I thought I'd hand over the phone to my assistant who happened to be in the office - when I say assistant I mean my daughter who is not two yet....saying hello followed by a number of 'Peppa Pig' phrases didn't seem to go down well with the Ammyy man.

[Greg66]

Originally Posted by dc8900

it's believed that companies with poor data security or who unfortunately have dishonest staff have got hold of such information and have sold it on to outfits such as AMMYY; who in turn make these cold calls

You can add BT to that list.

Last night I got home to find phones and broadband dead. Got the phones working but not the broadband. I then spent 45 mins on the phone (having dialled BT) to an unbelievably incompetent Indian woman who was utterly clueless. She ended up saying that an engineer would ring back the following lunchtime.

Overnight our broadband connection reestablished itself.

Wifey rang me five minutes ago, whilst on the landline to the scammer, credit card in hand, telling me she's been told to "upgrade the protection software" and do we want to pay for three months or six months or a year.

Told her to put the phone down on the scammer, disconnect the modem, power down. Turns out she had been told to and had downloaded ammyy.exe and then been told the pc was loaded with infections. Classic.

So, BT is leaky.

Now, HTF do I fix this mess? I'm thinking (a) remove ammyy; (b) go to a restore point prior to today; (c) virus scan; (d) malware scan; (e) destroy anything found on (c) or (d).

Been thinking of upgrading my router for a while, but I assume if the pc has this ammyy crap on it that's not going to make a hell of a lot of difference.

Anything else? I really don't want the hassle of a rebuild, but...

[Greg66]

Quick question about this ammyy junk. A lot of sites recommend alerting your bank/cc issuer immediately to tell them that your personal information may have been compromised.

How?

If you keep (say) a Word file containing your card numbers, PIN numbers, address, online login passwords, then I can see you may be at risk. But if you don't then isn't the only way to get this information via a keystroke logger? And that would either (a) have to be on your HD capturing log in details before you get scammed, or (b) loaded as part of the scam and then used to capture a subsequent login. If you scour the machine (successfully) before using online banking/cc sites, what's the risk?

Puzzled...

[spyder viewer]

Originally Posted by Greg66

Now, How do I fix this mess? I'm thinking (a) remove ammyy; (b) go to a restore point prior to today; (c) virus scan; (d) malware scan; (e) destroy anything found on (c) or (d).

Yes to all. Downloading AMMYY alone is of no risk at all. If your wife allowed the scammers remote access to your machine, then you need to look very closely at what they may have had access to.