04/20/2026
I had a call from a scammer the other day:
Me: “Hello?”
Definitely-Not-Microsoft:
“Hello sir. This is Bob from Microsoft Support. We are detecting dangerous virus activity on your device.”
Me:
“Oh dear… my device? Are you sure?”
Definitely-Not-Microsoft:
“Yes sir. Very serious. Many alerts.”
Me:
“Well that doesn’t sound good. What do I need to do?”
Definitely-Not-Microsoft:
“Don’t worry. I will help you right now. Are you standing in front of your device?”
Me:
“Yes. I was just about to use it anyway. I’m glad you called.”
Definitely-Not-Microsoft:
“Good. Please press the Start button.”
Me:
“I think it already started.”
Definitely-Not-Microsoft:
“That’s okay. Now click on Control Panel.”
Me:
“I don’t see that.”
Definitely-Not-Microsoft:
“Do you see a lot of information above the Start button?”
Me:
“Yes.”
Definitely-Not-Microsoft:
“That is your Control Panel.”
Me:
“Well would you look at that. I’ve been using this thing for years and never knew it had a name.”
Definitely-Not-Microsoft:
“Now sir, click Internet Options.”
Me:
“I don’t think I bought the Internet package. This was on sale.”
Definitely-Not-Microsoft:
“All computers have Internet, sir. Please press Start again.”
Me:
“Alright… looks the same.”
Definitely-Not-Microsoft:
“No problem. We will restart the device. Please turn it off.”
Me:
“Oh… I don’t know how. I’ve never turned it off since I bought it.”
Definitely-Not-Microsoft:
“There must be an off button. What do you press when it’s running?”
Me:
“I usually press the big button.”
Definitely-Not-Microsoft:
“Please press the big button.”
Me:
“Okay.”
Definitely-Not-Microsoft:
“Is the device off now?”
Me:
“No… but the door just popped open.”
Definitely-Not-Microsoft:
“Door? Is there a disc inside?”
Me:
“No. There’s a frozen burrito.”
Definitely-Not-Microsoft:
“…Why is there a burrito in your computer?”
Me:
“Computer?
I thought you said this was microwave support.”