Licence Number

Please can anyone tell me whether my windows licence number has changed now I have upgraded to Windows 10 and where I can find the new number if it has? I have had a telephone call telling me my computer is sending critical error reports and, as I have these quite regularly I was going to hang up but when I asked I was given a licence number by the caller which they do not normally do. However, I cannot find this number on any of our computers but wondered whether the one which is now running 10 may have changed or whether this is just another hoax call to try to get access to my computer. Hope someone can give some assistance or suggestions.

It will be a hoax. Tell them you are running android on your tablet.

Since Windows 10 uses generic licence product keys, it would be very likely that the hoaxer would be able to tell you the key on your Windows 10 installation - they are not secret.

Product Key - View in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

Fafhrd said:

It will be a hoax. Tell them you are running android on your tablet.

Since Windows 10 uses generic licence product keys, it would be very likely that the hoaxer would be able to tell you the key on your Windows 10 installation - they are not secret.

That's a good point - it means that with Windows 10, Hoaxers can sound more convincing when they claim to know all about your computer and its problems.

I agree this caller will be someone trying to scam people out of money.

That was just a scam call. Do not give the caller any information.

AliMH said:

Please can anyone tell me whether my windows licence number has changed now I have upgraded to Windows 10 and where I can find the new number if it has? I have had a telephone call telling me my computer is sending critical error reports and, as I have these quite regularly I was going to hang up but when I asked I was given a licence number by the caller which they do not normally do. However, I cannot find this number on any of our computers but wondered whether the one which is now running 10 may have changed or whether this is just another hoax call to try to get access to my computer. Hope someone can give some assistance or suggestions.

Thanks to all who responded. I was fairly sure it was a hoax but the licence number threw me a bit. Will know in future. Thanks again.

AliMH said:

Thanks to all who responded. I was fairly sure it was a hoax but the licence number threw me a bit. Will know in future. Thanks again.

Hello again, I am still having calls re supposed security problems. The same person (Jessica Williams) has rung at least four times. She is calling from USA and has all my details eg name, email and home and mobile phone numbers. I have told her I believe it is a scam but she insists my security is not working although a full system scan showed no problems and that my pic will crash at any time. Has anyone else had these calls and if so what did they do about them? I am getting a bit worried that there is in fact a problem.

AliMH said:

Hello again, I am still having calls re supposed security problems. The same person (Jessica Williams) has rung at least four times. She is calling from USA and has all my details eg name, email and home and mobile phone numbers. I have told her I believe it is a scam but she insists my security is not working although a full system scan showed no problems and that my pic will crash at any time. Has anyone else had these calls and if so what did they do about them? I am getting a bit worried that there is in fact a problem.

Why do you think that "Jessica Williams" having your name and telephone numbers makes the call legitimate?

It's not. There are no legitimate security providers that would contact you in this way. The only thing that surprises me is that they keep coming back. They must think they've got a live one.

If you let them into your PC remotely, you'll find yourself asked to pay hundreds of dollars (or whatever your local currency may be) to get it working again.

If you have caller ID, just ignore them.

I haven't got any scam calls of this nature, at least that I've picked up. I have received some fake ones from the "IRS", threatening prosecution if I don't return the call immediately. I have read that it's possible to buy a MagicJack or other VOIP dongle in the US and ship it to your friends overseas. The call then shows up with a US number, even though it's being used on another continent. (A lot of scammers operate outside the US, to avoid US law enforcement.)