Solution for the Global Tech scam?

Getting really fed up with the interruptions to my working day caused by calls from the Microsoft Windows Global Tech scammers. They phone up and try to convince you that your computer is infected (by getting you to look at the Event Log, which they reckon will scare you).

They ignore Telephone Preference Service registrations.  They claim to be operating from Baker Street in London but the phone calls sound as though they're coming from a very long way away.  A legitimate company working in the UK would not be making unsolicited sales calls to a TPS registered line.  The scammers don't take any notice of polite requests to desist from making these nuisance calls.

They offer to help by taking control of your computer, in return for a credit card charge.

Since we can't send a jolt of current back up the line to them, another solution is needed. It seems to me that the credit card companies are the critical link and by accepting payments for the scammers, they are facilitating the scam.  If people who've been caught out then report the scam to their credit card company, we may see some progress (and fewer annoying calls).

There's more useful information about other peoples' experiences on the Conflict International site (the blog is closed for comments).

You can register your phones with the Telephone Preference Service free of charge at http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/ - don't be misled by others who offer you a paid service that purports to do the same thing.

Deranged phishing spam

Just received this piece of garbage from someone ostensibly in Iran - why do they even bother?

From:* Rt Hon David Cameron MP <morshedi@nigeb.ac.ir>
*To:* undisclosed-recipients:;
*Date:* Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:27:05 +0330 (IRST)

PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE
TREASURY AND MINISTER FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE,
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM.

Our ref: MasterCard/5404/FCO
Your ref:...Date: 27/09/2011

IMMEDIATE PAYMENT NOTIFICATION

I am The Rt Hon David Cameron MP,Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury and Minister for the Civil Service British Government. This letter is to officially inform you that (MasterCard Number 5404 xxxx xxxx xxxx) has been accredited with your favor. Your Personal Identification Number is 7121.The MasterCard Value is £2,000,000.00 GBP (Two Million, Great British Pounds Sterling).

This office will send to you an MasterCard that you will use to withdraw your funds in any ATM MACHINE CENTER or MasterCard outlet in the world with a maximum of £5000 GBP daily.Further more,You will be required to re-confirm the following information to enable;The Rt Hon William Hague MP First Secretary of State for British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO). begin in processing of your MasterCard.

(1)Full names: (2)Address: (3)Country: (4)Nationality: (5)Phone #: (6)Age:(7)Occupation: (8) Post Codes

Rt Hon William Hague MP.Secretary of British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO)
Email; bfcaffair@msn.com
Tel: Tel: +(obscured to prevent anyone calling it)

TAKE NOTICE: That you are warned to stop further communications with any other person(s) or office(s) different from the staff of the State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to avoid hitches in receiving your payment.

Regards,

Rt Hon David Cameron MP
British Prime Minister

Blogger on iOS

Well done to Google for releasing a Blogger app for the iOS platform. It promises to synch between devices, which will allow users to create and edit blogs on the go as well as when sitting at a desk.

Only two cheers out of three, because at the moment it's only designed for the iPhone (and presumably iPod touch) screen factors, and not the more user-friendly appearance given by the iPad. But it's still very welcome, and has just been used (on the iPad) to make this posting. :-)