"...or you could swear at the thieving gits first.

That's just the kind of crass advice we can do without. Using abusive language over the telephone is an offence under the terms of the Communications Act 2003, and carries a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment.

We're not here to encourage others to commit criminal offences, and the use of profanities in posts - even when thinly disguised with asterisks, etc. will not be tolerated.

If you receive a hoax call from someone pretending to be from Microsoft, simply put the phone down, it's not necessary to engage in conversation, and certainly not necessary to use obscene language to the person at the other end.

That's us told.... apologies for encouraging verbal retorts to con artists trying to rob over the phone. Must remember to be nice to them and just hang up when they ring every day for weeks on end trying to con me into parting with my hard earned cash.

I didn't realise it could be me that ends up a convicted criminal and go to jail. I foolishly thought I was using 'reasonable (verbal) force' to defend myself and my property.

I suppose they could always report me for swearing - would make an interesting court case....

bumpkin

Thank you - no harm done.

Hello

See my post on this - http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/forums/16/speakers-corner/4172649/annoying-scam-phone-calls-allegedly-from-microsoft/

TeamViewer and LogMeIn were very grateful for the info I provided.

Telling them you run Linux gets rid of them pretty quick as well.