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I have just started these "problem with your computer" scam calls again after an absence of about 3 months.As soon as they suggested that I had a problem with my computer I replied" I do not have a computer" and that seemed to have worked for a while.
I have just found out that if my mother answers these calls ,she lets them continue the spiel ,and then refuses to turn her computer on just to annoy them.I think this method is a bad idea as they then know when someone is available and continue trying.

Great minds, Bullfrog......croak, croak

I have heard that if you switch on your computer while the "problem" people are on the phone they can hack in and either do damage or steal passwords. No idea if it's true, as the only time I received one of those calls they didn't get past the word "computer" before I had put down the receiver.
R

I like these approaches. Dependent on the mood I am in I either hang up or wind them up. I work on the principle that I can enjoy wasting their time. I put the call on hands free carry on with whatever I am doing and let them try to sell me things , get me tpo reclaim PPI , check my computer (by the way ultimately admitting you only computer is a slide rule does upset them somewhat)
It even works if part way though the call you actually tell them that that is your sole intention. My record so far was 15 mins in tot he call telling someone that i was going to just keep them on the phone, they stayed on trying to sell me PPI and then i finally got bored at just over 45 minutes and told him i was not interested and hung up.

Just never ever give away any information about you, your bank account password pin numbers etc. The person calling often does not even know who they are calling or the number they have called as they are random numbers called by a computer.
Make things up if you want to wind them up. One book club now has me living at 10 downing street! They could not stop sending books but they coudl do a change of address. Thye did not dare call me a liar. I wonder if the PM's over the years have enjoyed the books?

Tig...I like your style...my husband also likes the "wind up" approach. He once had a poor guy from an Indian Call centre on for at least half an hour asking him about cricket.

My friend also amused herself once by eventually "agreeing" to quotes for a conservatory. It was only when she gave her address that they realised she lived in a multi.

Another friend used to say "please hold" them put a wind up music box thing and bugger off.

I have some fabulous pals...

I have to come to the defence of Indian call centres here.Yes really .I had a problem with my Virgin media account and computer yesterday and phoned their free support line in India.I could not have got a more polite service in this country and they spent over 2 hours sorting my computer(with success) and all for free.
BTW,went to see" best exotic marigold hotel" yesterday,highly recommend it.

Have to agree with tonyw. I have had great service from Indian call centres, so we mustn't tar them all with the same brush.

I have had the same nuisance phone calls and I usually just put the phone down. Just a couple of days ago I had another and said that I didn't have a computer to which he replied in his own language, I suppose he was being very rude as when I asked him what he had said he said not to worry madam, have a good day, I was livid. I must think of something else to do, maybe the music and walk away as someone else mentioned. I have to add that I do have the phone preference thing in place!! doesn't stop them.

I`ve been told that pressing `hash` repeatedly does something nasty to them !
I sometimes just leave them nattering on and go away from the phone. seriously tho`, some of
my contemporaries (old!) are frightened by the `silent` calls. M.

I have to agree with tonyw and lilacwine. An older friend had problems with his BT phone and I offered to help on his behalf. The Indian call centre were excellent in solving the problem and were very polite. It is just the cold call 'scammers' that are the nuisance and I urge anyone not to get into conversation with them. Surely you have far better ways of spending your leisure time... I do. (yes, even being on this forum ;). I am off to re-string a guitar.....Have a good day all.

Slap on the wrist accepted jazzie...

I should have made my self clearer. When I said an Indian call centre I did not mean legitimate ones. Hopefully no offence caused.

The call my husband got was from the "computer doctors" well known scammers...hence he had a bit of fun...

Off to save the world...

oh lordy pastille, I wasn't offended at all by your post (found it quite amusing) I should also have made myself clearer. I just don't like to think of any of us wasting our time chatting to scammers who are after our money ! On my coffee break, and only 2 strings done! x