Shane, they say they're from windows technical department, and give you instruction on what to type into the "run" bar in the start menu.  Okay, that's safe enough, and what you'll be seeing is the windows error log.  No big deal and you're safe doing so. they also say while you're there, don't click on anything, won't give a reason and say some of the entries are "infections", not viruses.  No big problem yet, but then they want you to go to a file sharing site and download the software for remote access.  Don't even think about it, that's when they take over your computer.  Once they have access, then they do anything they want to do, and not much you can do about it without turning the computer or modem off.  the price for their "fix" isn't cheap, it's in the hundreds of dollars.  They work out of India, but use names common in the countries they're trying to scam.  Also for those that have run into them already, change every password you had and cancel and get a new credit card.  If that was in your computer, it's now in their hands. 

But the big mistake is going to the remote access site and downloading the software.  Without that, they're helpless, and if you seem gullible but confused, they'll work and work to "clear your confusion".  Sometimes they threaten to call your local police, but the criminal calling police is a little unlikely.  Another is the "Registration of Windows has expired", which in the real world doesn't happen.  Doesn't matter which one it is, what they want is your credit card number.  They're just a little more criminal than the "Card Services" scammers. Needless to say, what I have for them is not something I could post here and not be banned.

Microsoft will never call you.  Period.

Doric

The "I" in Doric is Silent.