I’m tired. Not the ‘I did so much stuff’ kind of tired though. Wish it was. It’s more like the ‘I’m emotionally drained’ kind of tired.
Lately, my computer has been getting tons of popups. The kind where you see some creepy guys face on your screen and it says you can check to see if child molesters are in your neighborhood. No thanks. I’ll remain blissfully ignorant.
So when I got a message from (supposedly) Microsoft telling me my computer was at risk I called the number indicated. BIG MISTAKE! I ended up sharing my screen with the ‘tech’ from PC Guard and he had me convinced if I didn’t buy his support plan my thighs would turn to jello. I told him that shipped has already sailed and he’d have to do better than that and I ended the call, but not before coming dangerously close to giving him my credit card and buying the plan.
But I still had the popup issue, so I called a Microsoft number and to make an unbearingly long story as short as possible, gave the techs from Protech my credit card and they did a two hour scan. Everything seemed legit. They gave me a customer number, two phone numbers to call in case there were any problems, and they called me during the scan to ask pertinent questions. They also sent me two emails. One to confirm the credit card purchase and the other I’m not sure what it was because I never opened it. The next day when I wanted to open it, I couldn’t find it, nor could I find the other one. They weren’t on my ipad or my desktop. How strange is that?
So I called one of the numbers they had given me and got a machine. Starting to get worried, I called yet another number that I had Googled and this time I got someone who told me the other guys (Protech) weren’t legit and that I should call my credit card company and do a charge back and that they would fix things. When I did a screen share with them I noticed it was the same company from the first call (PCGuard) and in fact they were the ones who were scam artists! I knew this because I had done a Google search and there was more than enough information out there about them pointing in that direction. I hung up pronto.
I finally was able to get through to Protech but I was not able to stay on the phone long enough to get the email issue resolved. This happened to be at 3 a.m. Saturday morning, and I didn’t fall asleep until 4 and woke up at 7. Besides, I was still a bit jaded about this whole experience and was not trusting them 100%. We left for Massachusetts and recently just got back. I did a search on them and I’m happy to say they seem to be legit. Whew! But I still don’t know what happened to those emails!
Edited to add: I called Microsoft and found out Protech is also a scam. I spent 2.5 hours on the phone with Microsoft while they removed monitoring software that Protech installed.
It wasn’t so much the money that concerned me. I know I could do a charge back no problem. It’s the vulnerability I felt (and still do) from having given someone access to my files. I’ve also since learned there are other ways to get popups resolved that are safer and free and as I’m writing this on my iPad I’m running a full scan on my desktop because I’m STILL getting those annoying popups!
The scam guys are good. Really good. They will do and say anything to make you believe they’re really Microsoft employees, and they have their gig down to a science.
So this weekend I zoned out and instead of working on any projects, I was super lazy and did nothing more than kayak on the lake, take naps, watch tv and surf the internet. The stress from all of this really took its toll, and it’s not 100% over yet.
If you have had any experiences like this and have gained some knowledge along the way that might help me or anyone else, do share.
Isobel Morrell says
Check! It’s happened to me to twice now, in the three months (almost) since I got my new computer which was loaded with Windows8. First time around, thought it was down to me and ignorance of the new system. Second time around, the technical support guys from HP got me to re-set the computer back to its factory default position and then told me how to reload everything back on again. Security programmes were, have been, are all in place too! Now I don’t trust the new machine, so am about to exercise my consumer rights and request the computer be replaced (am a bit more familiar with Windows 8 three months down the line – but still learning!). Thank goodness, I kept the old one and thus am still in contact with the outside world.
You’ve reminded me though – I, too, bought some protection, got the funds refunded because the techie who cleaned the machine first time around told me to: wonder if the fact that funds were withdrawn from my account (around that time) has some bearing? Must tell my Bank. I’m waiting for a new card too!
Hope you sort yourself out soon. Agree the scammers are all too persuasive though.
Cindy Eikenberg says
Doreen, I am so sorry this happened!!! I think a good rule of thumb is to ALWAYS ignore any popup and if something weird happens to the computer that our virus program doesn’t catch or fix, take the computer to a professional IT person! Technical issues can be absolutely, positively draining emotionally!!! You definitely needed (and deserved!) some rest!!! Hope your Monday and week is calmer, technically smooth and happy!
susan moore says
opps! this is what they always warn us old folks about. you can turn off the pop ups
you should listen to the saturday morning radio program on wtic 1080 about computers. i cannot for the life of me remember the name of it right now
they VET programs and lead you to what you should and should not do etc. VERY HELPFUL
susan
Angela says
So sorry this happened! How frustrating! I understand how you feel….sometimes you just have to walk away and chill out! I hope this week goes better for you!~~Angela
Denise says
Doreen, I HATE computer problems. I just want the thing to work, I don’t want to know how it works. Here is a truly safe and FREE download for virus/popup junk. I’ve used it for years. It was recommended by more than one computer tech. It gets rave reviews from PC Magazine.
http://www.avg.com/us-en/homepage
I got a new laptop for Christmas & the first thing I did was download AVG. Good luck. xxDenise
Doreen Sargente says
Thanks Denise, but I actually just got off the phone with Microsoft and they advised not to download another antivirus program. I already have McAfee and we paid for a year subscription so I will just wait it out. Turns out Protech was a scam too. I’ve cancelled my cc and changed some passwords. Argh!!
Peggy @The Decorating Files says
So sorry this happened to you, Doreen. I’m lucky in that my brother is a programmer and developer. He always helps me with computer issues. Hope everything gets sorted out for you and you don’t experience any other problems.
Cynthia says
Sorry, what a trying and aggravating thing to deal with. I am very lucky that husband is my the support.
Cynthia
Cecilia says
Yikes! How awful! I hate how vulnerable we can be and how suspicious it makes us. Sigh. I guess we have to double check everything.
Lindsay says
Oh, that’s awful! I haven’t come across any who were quite that good before.
I just found you through the Bloglovin’ blog hop and followed you! 🙂