(213) 457-4056

Claimed his name was Eric Wilson from Microsoft and our computer had a virus.

Called from PP Solutions. Told me my computer was sending them messages about my infected computer. Told him that was not possible. Told him I am on the Do Not Call Registry. He mocked me. I told him to never call me a***n.

213-457-4056 called at 7:26 am. No message was left in voice mail. I returned the missed at at 2:43 pm the same day and the number came up as unavailable/no longer in service.

Yep, it's a very common shakedown technique, i.e, attempting to install a "hostage" virus on your computer. Basically, it works like this: Someone with a thick accent will call you "from Microsoft Customer Protection," or the "Internet Security Department" and tell you that your computer has a dangerous virus that will erase all your data and render your computer worthless. Then, when they've pegged you as a ****er, they'll tell you how lucky you are that they discovered the virus before it could do any harm, but that you need to listen carefully and follow their exact obstructions immediately. First, they'll instruct you to go to their "secure antivirus site" and download special software (which allows them to see everything in your computer and even run it from heir remote location) – the same, exact kind if software that legitimate, reputable computer service companies use from time to time to save you the cost and hassle of having a technician come to your home. Once you've installed their spyware and they're inside your computer, they immediately activate a password-protected locking mechanism that prevents you from accessing any of your data. In many cases, they'll tell you that it could take up to 24 hours for the "anti-virus" software to fully work, and instruct you not to touch your computer until they call you back with a "confirmation." This "confirmation" call is where the real crime begins: once you realize you're locked out of your own computer, they calmly describe to you, in detail, a number of do***ents and photos you have stored on your hard drive. This is to unnerve you, and make you believe that they're going to make all your private data public. Often they'll ratchet up the threat by mentioning your children in a subtly threatening manner, private emails discussing sensitive subjects, or even claiming they've located a perverted **** folder on your system, and that "the authorities should be informed" of the contents. Then comes the extortion: they'll demand anywhere from $300 (if they sense you're poor) to $2,500 (and up!), debt to them via Western Union, which is difficult if not impossible to trace back to them because it's a cash transaction available at any of the thousands of Western Union and sister company offices around the globe. After they receive your "repair fee" they will give you a password allowing you back into your computer. Ah, but it often doesn't end there. If your perpetrator is especially rotten, he/she will wait a month or so, then lock up your computer a***n – same demand,ore money, Western Union. At that point, you're probably better off just reformatting your hard drive completely. The numbers they call from are s****ed, so they're near impossible to trace without very high-tech tracking equipment used by law enforcement and Homeland Security. The actual calls mostly emanate from India and/or ****stan, but the Dominican Republic, Trinidad-Tobago and the Seychelles are also popular locations for some reason. Needless to say, as soon as you get a call telling you that your computer has a virus, the best thing to do is **** up immediately and block the number. The scammers will most likely mice in to thir next intended victim. Since I can be a bitter and vengeful person when crosses, I usually lead the caller on a bit, then gradually begin to work in a nasty series of personal insults, including: "I hear you people urinate and defecate out in the street because you have no toilets. Your town must be full of disease!" "I hear you people eat rats and insects, and sell your kidneys for food money." "Only the lowest form of criminal preys on people like this. What do you think of yourself when you look in the mirror?" "You must not be a religious man, because surely you'd know that your god is going to send you into the pits of*****." I think I understand why you make your living by stealing and blackmail. Your life must be very sad and hopeless compared to mine." I've never slept on a dirt floor. Tell me how it feels to lie down with rats and ****roaches." And on and on... you get the idea. These kind of insults either make them noticeably angry (at which time they try desperately to hurl meaningless insults back at you), or they simply disconnect. I always try to make sure they hear me laughing at them, too, which really seems to upset them. Yeah, I know – I'm a mean-spirited SOB, but you have to consider the kind of vile, cold-hearted person we're dealing with here— street criminals who would rob little old ladies of their life savings without batting an eyelash. If I were in charge of law enforcement in their country, I'd have people like this tied to poles in the public square to be ridiculed, ******, and urinated upon.

Yep, it's a very common shakedown technique, i.e, attempting to install a "hostage" virus on your computer. Basically, it works like this: Someone with a thick accent will call you "from Microsoft Customer Protection," or the "Internet Security Department" and tell you that your computer has a dangerous virus that will erase all your data and render your computer worthless. Then, when they've pegged you as a ****er, they'll tell you how lucky you are that they discovered the virus before it could do any harm, but that you need to listen carefully and follow their exact obstructions immediately. First, they'll instruct you to go to their "secure antivirus site" and download special software (which allows them to see everything in your computer and even run it from heir remote location) – the same, exact kind if software that legitimate, reputable computer service companies use from time to time to save you the cost and hassle of having a technician come to your home. Once you've installed their spyware and they're inside your computer, they immediately activate a password-protected locking mechanism that prevents you from accessing any of your data. In many cases, they'll tell you that it could take up to 24 hours for the "anti-virus" software to fully work, and instruct you not to touch your computer until they call you back with a "confirmation." This "confirmation" call is where the real crime begins: once you realize you're locked out of your own computer, they calmly describe to you, in detail, a number of do***ents and photos you have stored on your hard drive. This is to unnerve you, and make you believe that they're going to make all your private data public. Often they'll ratchet up the threat by mentioning your children in a subtly threatening manner, private emails discussing sensitive subjects, or even claiming they've located a perverted **** folder on your system, and that "the authorities should be informed" of the contents. Then comes the extortion: they'll demand anywhere from $300 (if they sense you're poor) to $2,500 (and up!), debt to them via Western Union, which is difficult if not impossible to trace back to them because it's a cash transaction available at any of the thousands of Western Union and sister company offices around the globe. After they receive your "repair fee" they will give you a password allowing you back into your computer. Ah, but it often doesn't end there. If your perpetrator is especially rotten, he/she will wait a month or so, then lock up your computer a***n – same demand,ore money, Western Union. At that point, you're probably better off just reformatting your hard drive completely. The numbers they call from are s****ed, so they're near impossible to trace without very high-tech tracking equipment used by law enforcement and Homeland Security. The actual calls mostly emanate from India and/or ****stan, but the Dominican Republic, Trinidad-Tobago and the Seychelles are also popular locations for some reason. Needless to say, as soon as you get a call telling you that your computer has a virus, the best thing to do is **** up immediately and block the number. The scammers will most likely mice in to thir next intended victim. Since I can be a bitter and vengeful person when crosses, I usually lead the caller on a bit, then gradually begin to work in a nasty series of personal insults, including: "I hear you people urinate and defecate out in the street because you have no toilets. Your town must be full of disease!" "I hear you people eat rats and insects, and sell your kidneys for food money." "Only the lowest form of criminal preys on people like this. What do you think of yourself when you look in the mirror?" "You must not be a religious man, because surely you'd know that your god is going to send you into the pits of*****." I think I understand why you make your living by stealing and blackmail. Your life must be very sad and hopeless compared to mine." I've never slept on a dirt floor. Tell me how it feels to lie down with rats and ****roaches." And on and on... you get the idea. These kind of insults either make them noticeably angry (at which time they try desperately to hurl meaningless insults back at you), or they simply disconnect. I always try to make sure they hear me laughing at them, too, which really seems to upset them. Yeah, I know – I'm a mean-spirited SOB, but you have to consider the kind of vile, cold-hearted person we're dealing with here— street criminals who would rob little old ladies of their life savings without batting an eyelash. If I were in charge of law enforcement in their country, I'd have people like this tied to poles in the public square to be ridiculed, ******, and urinated upon.

Got a call on my cell phone but did not answer- caller left NO MESSAGe. Called number back and got pre=recorded message that number no longer in service--probably a fake caller ID programmed into caller's phone for SPAM.

Caller calls several times a day very annoying I don't answer they don't leave a message I am reporting them to the do not call list.

Been calling a lot, never leaves a message. I haven't answered

The call was a question of whether I would vote for Gibson or Serrino.

they called but no one was on the line.. if i dont answer they dont leave a message

This was an India guy - thick accent - wanting to get on my computer - gave detailed instructions to try and get on my computer - said it was infected. etc..... 100% scam

No one there

I get 2 or 3 calls a day from this number. They never leave a message. I won't answer a number I don't recognize.

wow! I am so grateful for these phone websites. I did not speak to the caller and no message was left but I have been reading the posts from the different phone websites. From the SAME PHONE NUMBER, posters have written the following about the caller: its a political survey, it is Verizon offering discounted phone service, caller is offering award money, caller says the householder owes money on a loan, caller wants to know if you want to go back to school, a person with foreign accent says he is from Microsoft and that your computer is bugged, offers for low interest rates on credit cards, caller says her name is Christine from the United States Humane Society, caller says he is selling mutual of Omaha insurance, caller says he is from stuart allan and****ociates a legal service doing debt collection, calling for Cuomo political survey and finally.....the phone number is originating from a prison. Wow.......if this isn't a scam, I don't know what is!!!!!

Now you are at 100 Percent

Called and no message

Called us 3x in one day

They call multiple times, don't speak, don't leave a message. What's the point?

* Call coming from 213/457-4056 I answered & there was NO response to my "*****o "

Downloaded the App Advanced Call Blocker. It's one and done!!!!! Once you block them they're history.

Don't know.. Won't answer

Spamo

Called the number back. Get a recording saying it is not a working number. WTH

You say*****o and no one there

Picked up and no one answered. Second call today on land line.