My very elderly mother got the Windows call and was freaked out about it. They somehow implied that her computer was going to stop working. Fortunately she didn’t give them what they wanted, and I googled and proved to her that it was a scam.
Agree, @doschicos , the elderly are especially vulnerable to this.
I got 2 more IRS calls yesterday.
For psychologists, there is a scam saying DD attending local college. They want to pay for 12 sessions in advance. They actually knew my background. I spent 20 minutes explaining how illegal that was, and offering suggestions to wire money to DD’s account.
Turns out this is national.
My wife’s aunt fell for the grandchild in trouble call. She is in her late 80’s.
A young person calls. Says to the older person, “Hi grandma”. Then the young person waits until the old person says the grandchild’s name.
“Is this Johnny?”
“Yes grandma. This is Johnny. I am in trouble…I need xxxx dollars…”
I think the aunt lost $3,000.
Why are you guys answering the phone? Are there business reasons you need to do so?
I only answer if I recognize the number. These folks never leave voicemail, at least on my phone. One unknown number was calling me around 8 times a day for a few days straight. I google. Others reported the number as spam/scam.
I am sure if I answered, they would get me, since I’m pretty gullible.
IRS scammers have been leaving messages on our phone.
My mom got the grandchild in trouble call. She didn’t fall for it, but we laugh about how when the scammer said “Grandma, I’m in jail” she immediately thought of one child and not the other!
How old are “the elderly” who fall for the scams? At what age does one become “elderly”?
I think it can be anyone who isn’t on the alert when they are propositioned or called–electronically or on the phone. There are SO MANY scammers out there. My folks have been very trusting and tend to pay whatever bills present themselves. Today, they called me very upset that they got a charge for over $7000, for a merchant that they didn’t expect such a high bill. I told them I had nothing to do with it and suggested they call the merchant. They did and got an apology and was told it was a mistake and immediately re-credited, but it did get their attention.
They donate to a ton of folks that send them solicitations in the mail, though I really wish they wouldn’t. I have nearly clicked on links a few times but caught myself just in time. We have gotten the “windows” phone call a few times and H has strung them along in curiosity, but ultimately don’t know whether H or the caller hung up.
We used to get a lot of religious calls–claiming that H was a member (he isn’t) and they have money they want to give back to him. We ultimately started asking to speak to a supervisor and for them to spell their names and addresses, so that they could be served with a complaint for violating our privacy. Once we started having caller ID, we just stopped answering those phone calls.
We have repeatedly requested my folks NOT answer the phone if they don’t know the caller, but they still do. Oh well!
My next windows call tactic will be to act dismayed and ask for contact information of his superior since our windows computer is encrypted (one of them is) because it is work computer for H who is with DOJ (true) and we have been told to report any breaches to Homeland security office of cyberterrorism (bull). Interested in reaction 
I feel left out as I only get emails from royalty needing help.
We don’t answer the home/landline, and usually, scam callers disconnect before voice mail picks up. Occasionally, we’ve gotten the IRS messages. The messages are so poorly delivered that it’s almost humerous…
But what’s annoying now, is that our cell phones have been ringing - a lot! - with numbers from our area–spoof calling --which displays a phone number different from that of the telephone from which the call was placed. I’ve picked up a few, thinking they were my doctor’s number or a restaurant I was trying to make reservations at. Usually it’s some solar or energy company. Believe me, after deceit, I would never consider doing business with an outfit like that. Very annoying.
I have been getting the IRS calls on a new cellphone. I don’t have a landline.
Consider signing up for No Mo Robo. Used together with the Do Not Call registry, it has cut our spam calls to virtually nothing.
I think I am elderly. I didn’t fall for the scam but I answer all my calls. That makes me elderly. I don’t have a caller ID on the landline.
^ no mo robo is ok…for landlines…still rings once. Does not work on cell phones…
I interviewed a woman once who had to explain the question on the application about her criminal background. She fell for the Nigerian scam and ended up getting in trouble with her bank.
When I get a call from the IRS, the computer people or other live spammers, I hand the phone to my 3yr old grandson who loves to talk on the phone. He enjoys it, I enjoy it. Not concerned whether the guy on the other end enjoys it.
We don’t have Caller ID. I have some fun with the callers sometimes. When it’s a foreign accent, I ask where they are calling from. They usually say California. I ask if they are a citizen, and what is their citizenship number. That usually ends the call.
I’m thinking of telling the many political callers that will surely be calling in the coming months that I’m an illegal alien and can’t vote.
For the charities, I tell them I’d like them to donate to a particular charity I like. And when they try to turn the conversation back to their charity, I keep bringing it back to mine.
The fun is confusing the callers by answering them in ways that aren’t on their prepared scripts.
FIL fell for the Windows scam, an early indication of his dementia. He used to like to the lady who called offering great deals on cruises, and tried to talk DH into buying one of her deals. We have almost ended the calls by answering the phone at his house and informing all the callers that he has died. It’s hard for me to remember, I’m so conditioned to let all unknown callers go to voice mail.
Just got a call from myself - caller ID had my name and phone number, so yes, they can spoof the caller ID. Almost thought about answering, but didn’t. Once got a call where the caller ID said “Time and Temperature.” Ah, old times. Remember calling that number? It amused me to think they might be calling to tell me the time and temperature in case I was curious, but I didn’t answer that one either.
I just got this automated call yesterday. Mad thinking about how elderly could get these calls and fall for it.