AMMYY Scam

Anonymous
2013-04-19T00:13:20+00:00

Hello

I got a call from a guy with a really heavy Indian accent claiming to be working with Microsoft.

He told me that my computer had multiple problems.

He then told me to hit the Window icon on my keyboard and R (Which is to activate Run)

After that, he told me to type in "www.ammyy.com" and hit enter.

Right when he said that, I got suspicious.

I checked their website and it seemed legit.

I decided to google "AMMYY" and I saw "AMMYY scam"

I checked lots of posts having the EXACT same thing

-Indian guy

-AMMYY

-Computer problems

-Work for microsoft.

I hanged up and shut down my computer just in case. (I"m paranoid)

I turned back my computer on and the guy called me again.

He asked me why did I hanged up and I told him it was an accident.

He asked if I downloaded AMMYY yet.

I told him this "I ain't getting my computer hacked today, buddy." and hanged up again.

I ran a full computer scan with Trend Micro Titanium Internet Security.

(Which I trust since it went with my computer)

So my question.

Who are these guys?

How many people work with them?

Why aren't they sued yet?

Is my computer safe?

Thank you

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Security and privacy

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Answer accepted by question author
bhringer-9380 4,350 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2014-11-14T00:28:43+00:00

These fake tech support scams can now be reported to Microsoft, via the following link:

Report a Technical Support Scam

https://support2.microsoft.com/getsupport/hostpage.aspx?oaspworkflow=start_1.0.0.0&wfname=scamsurvey&ccsid=635514050206231635

"This information will assist Microsoft and law enforcement stop these scams and bring the perpetrators to justice."

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Anonymous
2013-04-19T00:17:27+00:00

You're fine. They cold called you and have no access to your PC since you didn't install anything or allow them to connect to your PC.

Avoid scams that use the Microsoft name fraudulently - Microsoft does not make unsolicited

phone calls to help you fix your computer

http://www.microsoft.com/protect/fraud/phishing/Msname.aspx

Hoaxes and Scams

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/cu\_sc\_virsec\_master?ws=support#tab3

Microsoft Consumer Support Center

https://consumersecuritysupport.microsoft.com/default.aspx?altbrand=true&SD=gn&LN=en-us&st=1&wfxredirect=1&gssnb=1

Microsoft Support

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support#tab0

Microsoft - Contact Support

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/help/contact-support

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-01-09T15:02:47+00:00

    Same thing going on in 2015, today.

    I got a call from a guy with a south Asian accent claiming to be working with "Windows Help". I asked several times

    He told me that my computer had multiple problems visible to them when I browse on the internet and said computer is infected.

    He then told me to hit the Window icon on my keyboard and R (Which is to activate Run)

    Per instructions, I typed and opened event viewer so see event log. He told me this long list showed computer was heavily infected and would eventually stop working. He stated he could help me with the problem remotely.

    Directed me to open browser.

    After that, he told me to type in "www.ammyy.com" and hit enter.

    I decided to google "AMMYY" and I saw "AMMYY scam"

    I checked lots of posts having the EXACT same thing

    -foreign guy

    -AMMYY

    -Computer problems

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-01-08T11:20:22+00:00

    And guess what, the chap has been replaced by a girl.  Same old thing:  Got the call, bit of delay whilst the girl picked up from the computer based call and then the old patter.  I hadn't seen the blogs above but  knew I needed to be very careful - anything unsolicited will inevitably mean the caller is seeking money or will cause hassle.  Anyhow, I obliged and run eventvwr - a few yellows and reds, but the old PC is running fine.  No she said, my PC is infected and she wanted to pass me onto one of their technicians to 'clean up the problems - which I didn't have.  Meanwhile, I opened this blog (thanks all above) - told the caller that I was going to record their instructions, she said didn't need to, but I insisted and guess what?  They hung up.  BTW, I am ex-directory, so don't really understand how they got hold of my number.  These blogging sites are extremely useful - so thanks again.  My only worry is that one day these scammers will create a similar blog site saying that it's OK to run AMMYY and some of us unsuspecting users will be caught out.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-01-02T11:28:33+00:00

    Hi, it has happened to me this morning!

    Some girl from a Michigan telephon number, called me and said that she was from Microsoft and that my pc was infected. She refused to give me a name and asked to open the PC Events List. 

    At this point, having read about this scam before-hand, I just said: "Sorry, my pc is broken, i've to format!" and i hang-up!

    I received 4 other calls from that number and didn't picked the phone up!

    The strange part is: I live in Switzerland, why an US company (faking to be Microsoft Tech) would ever call me?

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