[LINK] I am from the Windows Department and we want to solveserious problems with your computer etc

[Tom Koltai]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: link-bounces at mailman.anu.edu.au 
> [mailto:link-bounces at mailman.anu.edu.au] On Behalf Of Antony Barry
> Sent: Friday, 15 April 2011 4:26 PM
> To: Link list
> Subject: [LINK] I am from the Windows Department and we want 
> to solveserious problems with your computer etc
> 
> 
> Linkers
> 
> I seem to be getting these foolish calls a couple of times a 
> month. The callers have always been male, usually with a bad 
> phone line and a strong accent which I assume is Indian but 
> maybe is from elsewhere in South Asia. They address me by 
> name. I've tried to string them along for a while to see what 
> I can find out how they intend to extract money from me but 
> the accent and the poor line makes it difficult.
> 
> On this latest occasion I managed to get as far as finding 
> they wanted me to connect to http://www.ammyy.com/en/ which 
> sells remote desktop software for Windows. They said they 
> were going to show me that there was a problem. My assumption 
> was that their plan was to for me to download and install it 
> when they could take over my computer and "prove" that I had 
> problems after which no doubt they would sell me some 
> non-existant service to "fix" the problem. At this stage I 
> gave him a bit of abuse and I told them I used Mac OS. Mostly 
> they hang up when I tell them that.
<SNIP>
> 
> I presume this scam must be pretty successful as I keep 
> getting calls. 

Australia's keen adoption of ecommerce has a lot too do with why we are
such a great target...

Unfortunately our click to purchase conversion rate is the highest in
the world.
It's why companies like Google are researching Australian Internet
access and shopping habits.

I could save them some trouble I guess... 

Google guys, it's the brilliant Government leadership that we have had
through this GFC... The secret formula is relatively easy...

1.    Export all the raw materials, so;
2.    Nothing can be made locally, and;
3.    Play lots of sports on TV so the unemployed don't notice that they
are bored.

I guess if we shut down eBay overnight, the factories might start
churning out Aussie made goods again although mayhap, tariffing overseas
goods via eBay and discounting the taxation on Australian made goods
would work wonders...

OK, how about Zero GST on Aussie made and 20% GST on all Foreign made.
As the foreign made to local made ratio favours the 20% GST model, this
innovation will actually help to balance the books (by increasing
revenue to Government), increase the competitiveness of Aussie made and
make Australians all aware of the process of creating local jobs.

>From such awareness are macro-economic miracles possible.

How could we get Government to consider such a revolutionary idea ? 

/body