HELP! Have I just been scammed??

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  1. Posts : 4
    windows 10
       #1

    HELP! Have I just been scammed??


    Last night I got an alarm that said "Windows Immediate Action Alert & Alarm" complete with warning sounds. It said I needed to call 877.242.8595 immediately to work through this issue. My computer was acting up all day, screen turning milky white, freezing up, I couldn't get much done.

    Long story short, after 2.5 hours of them working inside my computer, I paid $210 for 5 years of Norton and 1 yr of tech support from them. Today, I'm having second thoughts but the computer does work nicely.

    American Express (which they didn't want to take but I insisted) said they seem to be legitimate according to PCWorld.
    The name of the company is WebWareWorld, Inc. 8800 167th Place, Orland Hills, Ill. 60847

    Has anyone ever had this happen? Should I shut my life down and start over from scratch? New credit cards? New bank cards? New passwords?

    Why doesn't Microsoft step in to help people?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 16,325
    W10Prox64
       #2

    DeeC said:
    Last night I got an alarm that said "Windows Immediate Action Alert & Alarm" complete with warning sounds. It said I needed to call 877.242.8595 immediately to work through this issue. My computer was acting up all day, screen turning milky white, freezing up, I couldn't get much done.

    Long story short, after 2.5 hours of them working inside my computer, I paid $210 for 5 years of Norton and 1 yr of tech support from them. Today, I'm having second thoughts but the computer does work nicely.

    American Express (which they didn't want to take but I insisted) said they seem to be legitimate according to PCWorld.
    The name of the company is WebWareWorld, Inc. 8800 167th Place, Orland Hills, Ill. 60847

    Has anyone ever had this happen? Should I shut my life down and start over from scratch? New credit cards? New bank cards? New passwords?

    Why doesn't Microsoft step in to help people?
    Hi DeeC and welcome to Tenforums.

    That's not a good story.

    Want a chance to scam a scammer? Call 877-242-8595 or 800-239-0148 - YouTube

    Please read this post:
    Solved Scammers Exploit Windows 10 Upgrade Rollout-What You Need to Know - Windows 10 Forums

    If they've been in your computer, you can assume they had/have access to everything.

    EDIT: Please run an ESET Online Scan to see if there are any nasties left in your system from them.
      My Computer


  3. whs
    Posts : 1,935
    Windows 7
       #3

    Easy rule of thumb: Whenever they want money or access to your computer, hang up.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 22,740
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #4

    DeeC said:
    Last night I got an alarm that said "Windows Immediate Action Alert & Alarm" complete with warning sounds. It said I needed to call 877.242.8595 immediately to work through this issue. My computer was acting up all day, screen turning milky white, freezing up, I couldn't get much done.

    Long story short, after 2.5 hours of them working inside my computer, I paid $210 for 5 years of Norton and 1 yr of tech support from them. Today, I'm having second thoughts but the computer does work nicely.

    American Express (which they didn't want to take but I insisted) said they seem to be legitimate according to PCWorld.
    The name of the company is WebWareWorld, Inc. 8800 167th Place, Orland Hills, Ill. 60847

    Has anyone ever had this happen? Should I shut my life down and start over from scratch? New credit cards? New bank cards? New passwords?

    Why doesn't Microsoft step in to help people?
    Contact American Express and get help from them. And this is not a MS problem to solve. You have to take the bull by the horns and contact the credit card company.. NOW!
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       #5

    whs said:
    Easy rule of thumb: Whenever they want money or access to your computer, hang up.
    Excellent piece of advice, should be carved in the stone. Hang up when they ask money or access to your PC.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 22,740
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #6

    Kari said:
    Excellent piece of advice, should be carved in the stone. Hang up when they ask money or access to your PC.
    It sounds from the description in the OP that some malware got into his PC and that's how he got the message to call that number. Just a bad situation and calling the credit card company is the only thing he can do to attempt to block the payment and get a new number issued to him.
      My Computer


  7. whs
    Posts : 1,935
    Windows 7
       #7

    BunnyJ said:
    It sounds from the description in the OP that some malware got into his PC and that's how he got the message to call that number. Just a bad situation and calling the credit card company is the only thing he can do to attempt to block the payment and get a new number issued to him.
    Bunny, that is certainly good advice. But he should not have gotten into this tight spot in the first place. Therefore my rule - malware or not. There are always procedures to get rid of the malware.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 22,740
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #8

    whs said:
    Bunny, that is certainly good advice. But he should not have gotten into this tight spot in the first place. Therefore my rule - malware or not. There are always procedures to get rid of the malware.
    I totally agree and that's the reason I'm so happy I have a great shop in town. If all else fails I take my PC there and let them fix any issues I can't.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,366
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #9

    How exactly would you expect Microsoft to step in an help? You fell for the oldest tech scam in the book, so i can understand being angry and even embarrassed, but Microsoft is not to blame for this, nor are they responsible for stopping you.

    I will never understand the rationale behind giving out financial information and allowing access to your computer to complete strangers, rather than asking help of someone you trust.
      My Computer


  10. whs
    Posts : 1,935
    Windows 7
       #10

    BunnyJ said:
    I totally agree and that's the reason I'm so happy I have a great shop in town. If all else fails I take my PC there and let them fix any issues I can't.
    I doubt that there are situations that you cannot handle yourself. And then there is still this forum that can help. I never asked anybody to bail me out.
      My Computer


 

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