Windows 10: how do i know if i am really speaking to Microsoft and not a scammer.

I called a number to get help to fix computer. the number is 1-877-541-2448. how do i know if i am really speaking to Microsoft and not a scammer?

:)

 

Scammers Exploit Windows 10 Upgrade Rollout-What You Need to Know


>>Many thanks to Kari for his input<<

ZDNet warns of Windows 10 email scam; encrypts data for ransom
http://www.zdnet.com/article/windows...tag=TREc64629f

Scammers Exploit Windows 10 Upgrade Rollout
What You Need to Know

If you’re still waiting for your Windows 10 upgrade, you’re not alone. But, don’t be fooled if you receive an email purporting to be from Microsoft, with an attachment for you to “upgrade now”. It’s a virus, and if you run it, your files will be encrypted, and a ransom for decryption required to be paid in Bitcoin.

If you’re trying to upgrade to Windows 10 and it fails with a screen pop up telling you to call for tech support, don’t call the number. It won’t be a Microsoft number you’ve called. It’s likely a scammer, trying to make money off you to “fix” your problem. Chances are, there’s some spyware/malware/adware on your system which triggered the popup. You’ll need to get your system clean before attempting the upgrade again.

If you’ve gotten the popup and already called the number, it’s recommended you take some additional steps:Did you use any email login information? Change your password NOW.

Did you let them remote into your computer to “fix” things? Change ALL your passwords, and do that from a clean computer, NOW. Even if your hard drive data is encrypted, they had potential access to your encryption/decryption credentials. Your computer has been compromised, and the only sure solution is to full-format (not quick format) your hard drive, and reinstall the operating system.

Did someone talk you into paying for a service which Microsoft provide for free? Notify your bank and cancel your credit/debit card. You might even put a fraud alert on your account through credit monitoring services.
Sad to say, but scammers are always ready and willing to exploit every situation that comes around, including the Windows 10 upgrade rollout. If you’re not sure about something, research it, post here in TenForums, and someone will be able to help you sort things.


Here are some tips and links for assistance if you think you may have been scammed:

• If not absolutely sure you are talking directly with MS support, ask them to call you back and check the validity of the phone number. You can find the Microsoft official Global Customer Service phone numbers here:

http://support2.microsoft.com/gp/cus...cpickshow=true.

Select your country from the list and call the number shown; ask if the phone number calling you or which you'd like to call is indeed their official support.

• Microsoft will never try to sell you an extended support plan or extended warranty. If the "support" you are talking to is trying to sell you something, it's a sure sign of an ongoing scam.

• If you have reason to suspect that the scammer's activities have compromised your Windows sign-in MS Account, and you simply cannot or do not want to discard it, be sure to check that the account security contact information is up-to-date and set up Two-Step Verification if it’s not already on. See tutorial:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5...-turn-off.html

• If you can discard the MS Account email but don’t want to lose your inbox content and OneDrive files, this procedure is quite easy and fast, and allows you to keep all your email messages and OneDrive content in a new MS Account:

1. Switch to a local account tutorial:https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5...dows-10-a.html
2. Sign in to your MS Account; remove your computers from trusted devices tutorial:https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5...dows-10-a.html
3. Create a new account alias tutorial:http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials...dd-remove.html
4. Make the new alias primary tutorial:http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...ss-change.html
5. Remove the old primary alias, your original MS Account email, tutorial:See step 3 above.
6. Switch your local account back to an MS Account, this time using the new primary alias tutorial:https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5...dows-10-a.html
That’s it! Your Windows 10 sign-in MS Account is now changed, and all your email messages and OneDrive files are still intact.

 

How do you tell if you are talking to Microsoft or a scammer?

WOW, two and a half months and no reply from Microsoft on how one is to know whether one is actually dealing with Microsoft or a scammer. I would have expected someone from Microsoft could answer this and not only could but would really want to given the
number of scammers representing themselves as Microsoft employees or representatives when in fact that have no association with Microsoft whatsoever. If Microsoft can't tell us how is an individual supposed to know?

 

Scammers

May I offer you a suggestion: If you have any emails from the "scammer" gather them and make sure your credit card company knows about them. I was luckily able to recoup my payment. Good Luck.