Not the same, but I get regular scammers on the phone claiming to be from “Windows” or Microsoft. I guess because they are so well known, and many people are rather naive about this stuff, they will continue to be a target.
Much of Microsoft Australia business fulfillment is out of Singapore - or at least SE Asia. However,
All you need to worry about in Australia is whether you are paying an Australian Entity. Tax invoices from O/S don’t work. You need an Australian Tax invoice with an Australian ABN on it. If you don’t get one it is at least a Grey Market supply and possibly a scam.
You mentioned a recurring charge. Is the $119 the total of twelve monthly payments? Because in the US, Office 365 Home is $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. So the price might be legitimate, although I’d shop around. Usually, software bought directly from the publisher is at full list price but you can get discount at retailers.
Why were there virtually NO contact details? (except for phone/fax on the envelope)
Why was the logo out of date and very low res? Why is the tax invoice in the Times font?
Why did it seem to be posted from Europe? (see envelope)
So are you saying that it isn’t a proper tax invoice? Why would Microsoft be unable to do one?
I’ve got calls from time to time from someone with an Indian accent purporting to be from Microsoft wanting details of my password and so on so they can “update” my software or else “install critical security fixes”. When I ask them to convince me that they are legit, they invariably fail to do so.
It doesn’t help their case much when it sounds to me like it is the same individual making the calls each time.
I got that call last night as a matter of fact. I usually keep them on the line for as long as possible pretending to do everything they say until they get to the point where they ask me to read something personal off of my computer. Then I go all dumb for a while and try to get them to start over. After about 30 minutes or so I tell them that my computer keeps popping up a message.
When the guy asks what the message says I say, “It says that I just kept an idiot from a third world country on the line thinking that he’s going to scam me”. The conversation gets quite colorful at that point.
I had an online chat with a guy from Microsoft’s billing department but he couldn’t access the pics and he wouldn’t give me an email from someone who does have normal Internet access. He referred me to technical support but he thought it might be from Microsoft. He said I could contact billing or ring them up and they might give their email address for me to send the pics. Since she was charged $119 it looks like it is for 5 users. When I call Microsoft I’ll ask to have the subscriptions set up since it has already been paid for. Then I’ll know if the tax invoice really was from Microsoft.
Does the software work when you log into your Microsoft Account with your log-in details?
If you can manage your installs - then yes, your software is legit.
If it was bought directly from Microsoft or some 3rd party, that’s unclear and another story.
If your worried, you can stop the renewal within the Microsoft Account and once it’s up for renewal, go to a shop and purchase a Office 365 activation card and use that code to renew the license.
Office 365 5 User costs here in Ireland €99 (Au$ 137.85) - AU$119 is €85.45
Asking them to tell you what OS you are running makes them hang up fast.
Asking if their mother knows that her son is a criminal gets lots of colorful language.
And they have heavy Indian accents and call themselves Bob. When I say “Hi Sanjay” they hang up fast also.
In the US at least credit card companies are good about telling you who the charge went to. I’ve called about charges that looked suspicious but which turned out to be okay.
Has she been able to activate the software? That doesn’t mean it is legit, it could be bootlegged, but is at least something.
When I get the call they say they are calling about “Windows.” I always act as though I am really glad to hear from them, as I need “help with windows” and then continue to ask questions about replacement windows for my house, such as energy efficiency, price, etc., ignoring their many attempts to correct me about why they are calling. Eventually they hang up in frustration.
The call centre is really slick and professional. It is very weird that the tax invoice wasn’t. Like I’ve mentioned before the tax invoice has absolutely no contact details (except for their physical address). Luckily the girl kept the envelope which had the phone number.
BTW I talked to the girl’s mum and she said a “friend” organised it for her about 1.5 years ago and the mum isn’t going to let the company have any money and maybe try and take them to court.
