02030263957

I received a call from this number and as soon as I answered, there was nothing but silence. Quite odd, really!

I received a call myself just now. When I attempted to find out who it was, they wouldn’t reveal their identity. As soon as I tried returning the call, however, it was busy. Quite the mystery, isn’t it?

Who gave me a ring? I picked up the call, but there was nothing but silence on the line. Was this a prank or some kind of automated dialling system?

IMPORTANT! READ THIS NOW… EVEN IF YOU HAVEN'T RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE NUMBER MENTIONED! I’m here to help you avoid being scammed! Alright, to everyone who gets a call from 020 302 63957, please do your utmost to gather as much info from them as you can without divulging any of YOUR personal details. It’s a scam - I’ve just been on the receiving end of the same call from the same dodgy lot (if they can be referred to as that). Here’s how our conversation unfolded: Caller: "Hello, my name's Jane, calling from Microsoft. We've detected a virus on your computer that needs urgent attention." Me: (struggling a tad with her accent) "I beg your pardon, could you repeat that please?" Caller: "Yes, I’m Jane from Microsoft. A malicious virus has been identified on your computer that’s embedded in your Windows system, and it’s crucial we sort it out right away." Me: "Hang on a sec. As you’ve called me, let’s run through a few security questions before we continue. What was that again, where are you calling from?" Caller: "Microsoft." Me: "Could you share the number you’re dialling from?" Caller: "Sure, it's 020 302 63957." Me: "Excellent. Now, can you provide your extension number in case we get cut off?" Caller: "Certainly, it's (now here’s the amusing part) 1183282053." Me: "Blimey, that’s quite the lengthy extension! Do you have half the planet working there?" Caller: "Yes, indeed. Now, do you have your computer in front of you?" Me: "I do, but let’s finish up these security questions first. May I ask your full name? Jane is quite a common name, isn't it?" Caller: (sounding a tad annoyed) "Yes, it’s Jane Watson." Me: "Interesting how you have such an English name paired with that accent." (I might as well have been talking to myself) Caller: "Are you at your computer?" Me: "Absolutely, but I’ve still got more questions. Where are you located, Jane?" Caller: "Reading." *********IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE: While I’m having this chat, I'm on another phone calling the number she’s using, checking how many employees Microsoft has, which tops out at around 100,000*********** Me: "Reading? That town’s population must be about half a million, yet you just provided an extension size of over a billion! I knew Microsoft was big, but not that huge!" Caller: "I suppose we operate on a unified network." Me: "Right-o… So, what do you want me to do now?" Caller: "What is displayed on your screen presently?" Me: (while I’m searching their number online to find forums warning about this very number) "YouTube." Caller: "Minimise that, please. Now, do you see the button in the bottom left corner of your keyboard?" Me: "Yes, I do." Caller: "That’s the Ctrl key." Me: "Correct." Caller: "And next to that, can you see the other key?" Me: "Indeed… the Alt key." Caller: "The ALT Key????" Me: "Yes, I’m spot on." Caller: "No, the Alt key is the one next to it!" Me: "No, the Cmd key is actually next!" Caller: "What is the middle key?" Me: "The Alt key." Caller: "No middle key has a window symbol on it!" Me: "No, my computer has a window on the screen!" Caller: "Do you have a touchscreen?" Me: "No, just a keyboard." Caller (slowly): "Does, your, keyboard, have, Windows, on, it?" Me (equally slowly): "No, but, my, walls, do!" Caller: "This is not possible!" Me: "Yet, it is. They let me see the outside world." Caller: "We can’t resolve the virus on your computer if we can’t access it!" Me: "Who mentioned anything about accessing it?" Caller: "That’s our method of resolving the issue." Me: "And precisely why would Microsoft be calling me for that?" Caller: "It’s part of our service." Me: "But my computer is an OS X Yosemite iMac?" Then she abruptly realised I was having a bit of fun with her and quickly made her exit by muttering, "Is this Mr Brettle?" Me: "Why, this is absolutely not Mr Brettle!" And then the line went dead... It’s astonishing how much amusement you can have when you’ve a little time to spare… If you ever receive calls like this from anyone, not just from this particular number, remember to take a cheeky approach like I did, but UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you share any information about yourself, no matter how trivial it may seem. They rely on random number generation to catch unsuspecting victims. Best wishes to all, and cheers for reading!

I’m absolutely fed up with these individuals who persist in ringing us during the late hours. It’s utterly maddening! Every time we answer, there’s only silence on the other end. Who on earth are these people?

WARNING: HACKERS ABOUT! I've already reported this to the police, and they've confirmed that Microsoft never makes calls like this. A bloke named Austin Edwards, claiming to be from Microsoft, rang me earlier today, insisting my computer had been compromised. He even knew my unique identification number! When I expressed my hesitance to continue the conversation, citing I didn't trust who he was, he gave me a number to verify his identity and insisted he would stay on the line. I plugged the number into this very site and it proved my gut feeling right. When I challenged him, he got quite irate and threatened to block my computer! Stay alert, everyone!

I had an unsettling encounter with a bloke named Austin Edwards, who claimed to be from Microsoft and contacted me from Reading. My computer has been behaving oddly, so I thought I’d ask him a few questions. In response, he provided me with a phone number to verify his credentials. Naturally, I decided to search that number on Google, only to find it was linked to a scam operation. When I confronted him about it, he became quite aggressive, threatening to block my computer. To make matters worse, he knew my unique computer identifier, which sent me into a right panic. Quite disconcerting, to say the least!

I received a call from someone claiming to be a Jack Peterson, insisting he was with Microsoft and that my computer had been compromised. Naturally, I didn't buy his story, and he became quite aggressive, threatening to disable my machine. I asked him for a contact number and an email so I could reach out to Microsoft independently, to which he strongly advised me against doing. I ended the call, but he rang back immediately. I chose not to respond, and he left a rather ominous voicemail stating that I needed to call back or he'd block my access. I've since ignored all further attempts-rest assured, he never gained entry to my computer.

I had a rather unsettling phone call from someone claiming to be Austin Edwards from Microsoft. When I mentioned I'd prefer to reach out to Microsoft directly, he quickly retorted that I was simply squandering my time and ominously warned me that he would cut off my access to my computer. Quite the nerve, really!

I've just allowed someone to gain remote access to my PC and then I ended the call. What should be my next steps?

I received a phone call from a woman named Alina, claiming to represent Microsoft. She insisted that hackers had infiltrated my computer and that she could stop any potential misuse if I followed her guidance. I flatly refused. Despite my clear disinterest, she persisted, becoming increasingly pushy, and mentioned she'd ring me again. I told her not to bother and ended the call. Believe it or not, she's tried to reach me twice more since then!

I recently received a rather convincing call from a chap named Austin Edwards, claiming to be calling from India. He insisted on gaining remote access to my computer, which I firmly declined. His demeanor shifted dramatically; he became quite irate, especially after I held him on the line for a good 35 minutes-it seemed like he was banking on a commission! Whatever you do, don’t allow them to seize control of your device. One would hope others heed this warning. It’s as if they've somehow compiled a list of computer IDs. Toward the end of the conversation, he resorted to threats, saying my computers would be shut down and rendered useless. At that point, I knew I was dealing with a scam, particularly when he directed me to dubious sites like www.teamviewer.com and www.fastheal.net. Just a heads up-stay alert!

Just had a rather dodgy call claiming that my computer was under attack and they required remote access to fix the issue. Sounds completely believable, doesn't it?

I've received a call from these people each day this week. I've made it clear that I never engage in business over the phone and requested that they cease contacting me. They went on to say that I'd regret it when my computer eventually breaks down. The caller provided me with a name and the number listed above, claiming to be from Microsoft. It's all rather suspicious!

I received a call just like that, too-no one spoke a word as soon as I answered.

Has anyone else been getting calls from this number?

I received a call from this number, but the line went dead the moment I answered. Very peculiar indeed!

The moment we picked up the phone, there was an eerie stillness on the other end.

I'm absolutely fed up with these incessant calls that keep coming in right around lunchtime every day!

Received another call this evening at 9 o'clock, but when I picked up, it was just silence on the other end.

Whenever they give me a call, they either stay silent or just ask for my name and address. The moment I decline to share that information, you can practically hear their irritation!

Received calls from this number a fortnight back, but they seemed to have ceased for a spell. Now, they've resumed their rings-today at 5pm precisely. I decided to let the answering machine pick up, but as soon as it started, they hung up without a word. Quite peculiar, isn't it?

It's so irritating that my phone keeps ringing!

I keep receiving calls from this number on a nightly basis, yet no one ever seems to respond when I pick up. It’s quite distressing, especially for my elderly father, who is 82 years old. The situation has him so unnerved that he’s seriously considering disconnecting the phone altogether.

Received a call at 9 this evening. When I asked the caller to remove us from their list, they became rather irritable. After a rather hostile exchange lasting about twenty seconds, they audaciously told me to go to hell. Quite the classy encounter, isn’t it?

I keep getting calls from an Indian lady at all hours, day and night! This time, she claims to represent a company named Daily Preferences. I've just checked the number, and it appears to originate from the London region.

Indeed, I’ve been receiving calls from an Indian lady at all hours, both day and night. This latest call claimed to be from a firm named Daily Preferences.

Constantly receiving unsolicited calls, and I suspect they're coming from a call centre in India.

Standard sketchy call centre from India. They always seem eager to keep you on the line, but it's clear they've got their facts all muddled up. Plus, they make attempts to pry your address and personal identification out of you. Quite fishy, if you ask me! Definitely getting added to my block list!

I keep getting calls from these individuals, and it's usually during unsociable hours, like late at night.

Received a phone call from a bloke named Steve-had a distinct Indian accent, mind you. However, I ended the call before he could get into the nitty-gritty.