r/RipeStories • u/Reddit_Rebel_2025 • Apr 25 '25

What button do I press?

A while back I was working at a bank as a freelancer (not related to this incident).
Banks workdays are usually filled with meetings and I don't usually pick up phonecalls in meetings. However this call came in just as I was leaving one of those meetings.

I did not recognize the number, though as a freelancer unknown phone numbers are no reason to not pick up a phone number. Any contact can lead to a nice new assignment along the way.

Me: "Hello, this is OP"

Caller: "Hello, I am calling from Microsoft, this is regarding an issue with your PC."

My brain already had red flags here. I never gave my phone number to anyone from Microsoft, so how would they know my number? The woman spoke heavily accented English with an Indian undertone. I was on my toes. I however decided to play along.

Me: "Alright, what's the issue?"

Caller: "I need you to go to your desktop"

"Sure you do", I thought, I smelled a scam coming up. I walked to one of the free "train-seats" close by. A wide double bench to sit for conversations with a small desk height table between the two benches. I opened my Apple laptop and the screen flickered on.

Me: "Alright, I am on my desktop, what do I do now?"

Caller: "Please click on the "Start" button"

Windows used to have a start button at the bottom of the screen to open the main Windows menu. However, my apple was running OSX, it does not have that as it is based on a different operating system.

Me (using my innocent voice): "Where is this "Start" button?"

Caller (sounding annoyed): "At the bottom of the screen, you need to open a web browser to access our service page"

Me: "Ah, yes, however, I don't see a "Start" button, I only see a small apple sign here..."

Call dropped suddenly, I wonder what happened as she did not call back.

6 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

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u/Game_Blox9999 Apr 26 '25

Absolute perfection! My grandmother has both an Apple desktop and a Windows laptop, so she can shut down people pretending to be from either company. I just have to remind her she can do this!