Microsoft Licensing Verification Program: Is this a SAM Audit?
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Just got a customer with this Microsoft Licensing Verification Program / MLVP audit request. It sure looks like a SAM Audit. It comes from one of those "not really Microsoft" v- email addresses that are third party scammers traditionally paying MS for an email address. They never say that the audit is a SAM or voluntary, but the terms that they use and the email address don't match anything legit and look just like the scams that MS has been in on for years.
Anyone seen this new terminology yet? Is this the new name now that MS customers have caught on to the SAM scam and now need a new name so that it isn't so obvious?
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Dear Allen,
Your organization (removed) has been selected by Microsoft for a license verification review. This review will cover all your Microsoft software and licensing agreements including [REMOVED]. Your company may be asked to provide Microsoft with a certification that you either have sufficient licenses to permit usage disclosed by the review or that you have ordered sufficient licenses.
I have been assigned as your dedicated consultant to support you through this process. I can guide you through the process, and you can reach out to me at any time if you have questions.
To get started, it would be ideal to set up a brief phone call so I can explain the review process in more detail. What is the best time for you ?
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing back.
Kind regards,
Nawal Elaissi
License Verification Consultant |+12029152496 | [email protected]
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@CCWTech said in Microsoft Licensing Verification Program: Is this a SAM Audit?:
License Verification Consultant |+12029152496
That comes up as a cell phone (burner probably) and is not associated with Microsoft.
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Also a question that we had, how did they get Allen's name as he's not associated with the company, or the licenses! Something super fishy there. Looks like a potential security breach. Private data being sold to third parties (and potentially getting it wrong.)
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@CCWTech said in Microsoft Licensing Verification Program: Is this a SAM Audit?:
License Verification Consultant
This is just a new flavor of the old game. Unless you get a certified letter (snail mail) from Microsoft, then you have no obligation to do anything. If, in fact, you do get a certified letter, still do not do anything except contact your attorney.
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Yeah, I don't think any legitimate audit process from MS ever starts with an email. Real audits are very serious legal matter and would always go through your attorney, not through IT. MS does do actual audits, but they wouldn't take the risk of being flagged as spam and really, it's not unlikely that any v- prefix email from MS would be marked as spam because I've never seen a case where it wasn't.
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https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/learn-more/compliance-verification-faq
Some highlights from the FAQ...
For an actual audit... "Therefore.... you are not involved in a license compliance verification."
SAM audits are voluntary and involve SAM firms; audits are from internationally recognized accounting firms!
Only Volume License customers can be audited, the audit process is tied to your VL account.
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Today I learned. Thanks for the heads up. I almost fell for these SOB's.
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I did a SAM audit only once at my previous job. At the time I didn't know any better, and no money was spent since I learned (already knew) we were as compliant as I was allowed to be (yes, I know that sounds odd). I did get a benefit out of it, and that was when it was done, I had a folder that detailed documentation about the licenses we had. That what if a real audit happened, hopefully whoever followed me wouldn't have to scramble to find documentation.
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@scottalanmiller said in Microsoft Licensing Verification Program: Is this a SAM Audit?:
Just got a customer with this Microsoft Licensing Verification Program / MLVP audit request. It sure looks like a SAM Audit. It comes from one of those "not really Microsoft" v- email addresses that are third party scammers traditionally paying MS for an email address. They never say that the audit is a SAM or voluntary, but the terms that they use and the email address don't match anything legit and look just like the scams that MS has been in on for years.
Anyone seen this new terminology yet? Is this the new name now that MS customers have caught on to the SAM scam and now need a new name so that it isn't so obvious?
Interesting - I don't recall seeing the word voluntary on any SAM letter I ever got.
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@Dashrender said in Microsoft Licensing Verification Program: Is this a SAM Audit?:
@scottalanmiller said in Microsoft Licensing Verification Program: Is this a SAM Audit?:
Just got a customer with this Microsoft Licensing Verification Program / MLVP audit request. It sure looks like a SAM Audit. It comes from one of those "not really Microsoft" v- email addresses that are third party scammers traditionally paying MS for an email address. They never say that the audit is a SAM or voluntary, but the terms that they use and the email address don't match anything legit and look just like the scams that MS has been in on for years.
Anyone seen this new terminology yet? Is this the new name now that MS customers have caught on to the SAM scam and now need a new name so that it isn't so obvious?
Interesting - I don't recall seeing the word voluntary on any SAM letter I ever got.
Not sure why he made the comment. they have never said that. it is part of their trick.
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@Dashrender said in Microsoft Licensing Verification Program: Is this a SAM Audit?:
@scottalanmiller said in Microsoft Licensing Verification Program: Is this a SAM Audit?:
Just got a customer with this Microsoft Licensing Verification Program / MLVP audit request. It sure looks like a SAM Audit. It comes from one of those "not really Microsoft" v- email addresses that are third party scammers traditionally paying MS for an email address. They never say that the audit is a SAM or voluntary, but the terms that they use and the email address don't match anything legit and look just like the scams that MS has been in on for years.
Anyone seen this new terminology yet? Is this the new name now that MS customers have caught on to the SAM scam and now need a new name so that it isn't so obvious?
Interesting - I don't recall seeing the word voluntary on any SAM letter I ever got.
I used to see them, but looks like it's not required in the form.
