Got a call from some scammers just recently.

Trigger_Loaded

So, got a call from "Service Providers for Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows (Whatever number they're up to now)." Asking if I've been noticing issues with my computer. A few clicks on Computer Management, and the guy goes "Oh, my god" at the supposed hundreds of error messages I have on file, telling me that I've got a virus corrupting everything on my computer. I cut it short after he transferred me to the 'senior technician.' (Actually, I tried to cut it short beforehand with "I need to get going." He just completely ignored it.) before he asked me to go to a website. I was already suspicious (And unplugged my modem while talking to him, just in case.) and claimed I had somewhere to be. (Which is not entirely a lie. I should really get going.)

Anyways, once I was able to get them off the line, I did five seconds of research on Google.

http://www.jameswiseman.com/blog/2010/06/03/windows-support-telephone-scam-corrupt-files-and-many-viruses/

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_xp-security/corrupt-files-on-windows-xp-and-and-worrying-call/3d4136e1-c7d3-43d4-8af5-c933a93a0575

Well, seems my suspicions were warranted.

Now, they said they'll call me back on Monday. Any idea how to screw around with 'em? I'm thinking of going off on a long pointless story about how my day had gone, and going off on tangent after tangent.

MadassAlex

Try to get information on them. When you have what you need, throw subtle hints that you know what's up, but keep asking for help, but act the fool and keep saying that you can't find things. When you've had your amusement, hand over whatever information you've got to the authorities.

Shichibukai

Bastards, I would have a heck of alot of questions to ask them. No way have they got access to anyone's computer.

Messing around with cold callers of all sorts is fun, but I rarely realise the opportunity. Annoying coldcaller says hello, I quickly fob them off with mundane excuses, then kick myself for not trolling them. 

captainbrass

I would just put the phone down as soon as you realise who it is, rather than waste time on them. It's unlikely you'll put them off by messing them around - they're crooks, it's what they do for a living - and it just gives them more chance to try and get some information out of you or talk you into something.

Icalasari

^ Some people screw with online scammers, going so far as to trick them into spending money on airplane tickets, taxis, etc.

Trigger_Loaded

Hmm, thinking about it, I'm probably just going to hang up.

Mostly because I'm on a cellphone, and I'd rather not waste minutes on this.

LouieW

Trigger_Loaded,
Hmm, thinking about it, I'm probably just going to hang up.

Mostly because I'm on a cellphone, and I'd rather not waste minutes on this.

Yeah, I think that sounds like the best thing to do. Generally, I recommend not messing with coldcallers, since if they are doing something legitimate, they probably enjoy calling random people about as much as you enjoy receiving their calls (i.e. not much). On a related note, it really does bug me when people are rude to those who have customer service jobs for the "fun" of it. That kind of behavior seems incredibly disrespectful to me, not to mention completely inconsiderate, especially when the person on the other end is just a volunteer.   

If they are doing something illegitimate, as appears to be the case here, then you need not punish them yourself. The authorities can probably do that a lot better than you can and I would guess their punishment will be fairer too. I guess the saying "two wrongs don't make a right" applies here.

Tachikaze

My brother decided to mess with a coldcaller once...apparently that overrode our "on the do not call register"ness. >.>

I think I've dealt with this particular scam before though and I usually just hang up. My mum generally drops hints that the police are tracing the call and sees how long it takes before the caller hangs up.