topic Re: COMPUTER PRINTER SCAM ... BEWARE in Electronics

COMPUTER PRINTER SCAM ... BEWARE

Lilysmom — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 18:32:18 GMT

I come to this forum all the time for help. I had something happen to me today that I want to tell you about that is such a scam.

You will recall recent conversations we have had about printers ... inkjet v. laser. I ordered a laser printer whose brand name begins with B from Costco. Arrived no problem. I went to do set up and had an issue with a paper jam message that I couldn't get to go away. I went to the printer website and a chatbox with a service person came up asking me for my name and phone number. Stand by for a call. I did.

The service person asked to share my computer to ensure that the drivers I downloaded were operational and up to date. After looking at my computer, this person told me my ip address had been hacked and was I aware of it. He asked me if I shared my computer with anyone remotely. I said yes, with Apple, while we worked on a problem together.

He told me that I needed a computer tech who was either a network expert or an IP programmer. He told me I would waste a lot of money if I went to a computer shop because it wasn't my computer, it was my ip address that got hacked. He told me people spent a lot of money fixing computers when the computer wasn't the issue at all. He asked me for my zipcode so he could make a referral.

In Canada, you can identify the actual house with the zipcode so I am careful not to give it all. I usually just give the first three sympbols which gives the general area. I told him that. I would not give him the six digits. He referred me to a company call Technoversal for a fix.

I said I wanted to research the issue so I understood it better. He said no problem. Here is my number, call me back when you are ready to make a decision.

I googled the hacking issue. I looked locally for computer companies and got a recommendation. FYI, not many local companies had someone on staff who was an IP/networking expert. I called one of the local companies and made an appointment for a visit $105 for the first hour.

Then I went to youtube, looked up how to clear a jam. Did what it said and the printer worked, no problem.

Then I did reviews of Technoversal and found a litany of complaints about how they ripped off customers of B brand printers with bills approaching $1000 for a fix and life time tech support. Nothing but a big scam.

OMG, this is the second time in two weeks something like this has happened to me. The first time, I thought I was talking to Air Canada and it was a third party flight reservations company.

I wanted to tell me story here. Please be careful my friends. Even being on reputable company websites is not safe. Do not let anyone talk you into repairs or deals without sitting back, double checking everything. Do not give your credit card number, do not buy anything until you triple check it all.

I called the local computer tech company and cancelled the appointment. I told them what happened.

I cannot believe how easy it would have been just to follow this guys advice and let me fix the problem. Now, I second guess everything. I did not name the printer company as I don't want this to get deleted. Buyer Beware! LM

Re: COMPUTER PRINTER SCAM ... BEWARE

spent2much — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 18:29:24 GMT

@Lilysmom THANK YOU for making people aware of this. Something similar happened to me a long time ago. You're right to triple check everything.

Re: COMPUTER PRINTER SCAM ... BEWARE

Lilysmom — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 18:34:39 GMT

@spent2much, I think it is shameful that people are being taken advantage of in this way. In the incident I had with the 3rd party flight reservations company, I gave them he11. I opened a dispute with Visa. After I literally harrassed them for a week, they gave me what I paid for. Just unbelievable. They were happy to see the back side of me! LM

Re: COMPUTER PRINTER SCAM ... BEWARE

Mesmerized169 — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 19:07:47 GMT

@Lilysmom - you had mentioned that you bought your printer at Costco. Did you know that Costco offers their OWN Concierge services (tech support) on all their electronics purchases? Including Printers. For 2 years! Next time you have a problem, call their toll free number first and see where it gets you. More info is located here: https://www.costco.com/concierge.html

Hope this helps!

Re: COMPUTER PRINTER SCAM ... BEWARE

Nightowlz — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 19:10:50 GMT

Since you let this guy remote in to your computer & he says you have an ip problem not a computer problem were you watching what he was doing while he was on your computer? How would he know your ip had been hacked? I guess he's in on it with the scammers at Techonoversal?

I would run CCleaner & Malwarebytes.

Re: COMPUTER PRINTER SCAM ... BEWARE

DearPrudence — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 19:23:45 GMT

I have a feeling that you were not actually at the printer companys website to begin with. And I'm no expert,but I've never heard of an IP programmer. You need to be more careful where you travel on the net.

Re: COMPUTER PRINTER SCAM ... BEWARE

YorkieonmyPillow — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 20:09:27 GMT

@Lilysmom Thanks for the heads up!

Re: COMPUTER PRINTER SCAM ... BEWARE

gardenman — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 20:31:35 GMT

As a general rule, you're better off fixing any computer/printer problem yourself. Googling the issue typically leads you to a good solution. The computer repair industry is filled with scammers who are only looking to rob you blind. A repair shop might insist you need a new motherboard, CPU, memory, etc. when you don't, and they'll even charge you for new equipment that they don't install. Most users have no idea what's inside their existing computer and can't tell if any components have really been replaced.

A very common failure point is the power supply which can be replaced for $20-$50, but the shop may say the motherboard was shot and charge $100-$150 (or more) when all they did was swap the power supply.

You're much safer fixing issues yourself. YouTube videos can be great.

Re: COMPUTER PRINTER SCAM ... BEWARE

Mz iMac — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 20:37:51 GMT

@Lilysmom "I did not name the printer company as I don't want this to get deleted."

When did Q start deleting postings for mentioning a products name?

Re: COMPUTER PRINTER SCAM ... BEWARE

SXMGirl — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 20:52:15 GMT

Costco has free tech assistance for any product that you buy from them.

Re: COMPUTER PRINTER SCAM ... BEWARE

Mz iMac — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 20:57:15 GMT

@SXMGirlwrote:
Costco has free tech assistance for any product that you buy from them.

OP also had FREE tech support directly from the printer manufacturer. Usually, it's a year. Depends on the product/manufacturer. Also, she should have "called" the manufacturer directly for support to take advantage of her warranty. Just saying......

Re: COMPUTER PRINTER SCAM ... BEWARE

Lilysmom — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 21:09:13 GMT

@Mesmerized169, thank you. A good reminder. I knew but hadn’t even thought of that. I will inform them of my issue on this so that they are aware also. LM

Re: COMPUTER PRINTER SCAM ... BEWARE

SXMGirl — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 21:10:16 GMT

@Mz iMac. I know that she had that service, but when you use a service like that, you really have no idea who is on the other line. Most of us have had not-so-great experiences with techs who are not the best. I really trust Costco to have the best techs, especially because they treat their employees so well. So, I would have called Costco tech support first--that is just me.

Re: COMPUTER PRINTER SCAM ... BEWARE

Lilysmom — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 21:11:49 GMT

@DearPrudence, I was on the Printer manufacturer’s site. The chat session appeared in a pop up. Check out BBB rating and comments on Technoversal. LM

Re: COMPUTER PRINTER SCAM ... BEWARE

Lilysmom — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 21:13:28 GMT

@Mz iMac, I didn’t want to have my post deleted for any reason so I am being cautious. LM

Re: COMPUTER PRINTER SCAM ... BEWARE

Lilysmom — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 21:18:05 GMT

@Mz iMac, I went to the website they had on their printed material. The last time I looked up a phone number for by google, I got a third party reservations connection instead of the Airline I was looking for. As you know, most businesses supply online support and no phone number. Either way, by phone or by online connection I had trouble with 3rd parties intruding on what I thought was a legit connection twice in the last three weeks.

The message is, however you connect, be careful. LM

Re: COMPUTER PRINTER SCAM ... BEWARE

chrystaltree — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 21:26:25 GMT

I don't understand half of that but I do know that I would never just any company I happened to find on Google for help with my printer or one of the computers. You just don't do that in the world we live in now. I have online assistance directly with Epson, the people who made my computer. I've used them several times. My two laptops are Acers and I've used Acer support a time or two but there's a local that I have a year long contract with to assist with computer issues. They have an office that I've been too and one of their techs set up my newer laptop. I do think that calling the manufacturer's support line is always the best way to go.

Re: COMPUTER PRINTER SCAM ... BEWARE

apple1964 — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 13:56:16 GMT

I want to thank the O/P for starting this thread. This is getting so bad that I have been extra careful when ordering anything online. I started a thread a few weeks ago which bears repeating. This scam is over the telephone. The scammers use your area code where you live ask you questions about whatever and then you say yes and they insert it in a way where they could get authorization from a bank or CC company it happened to a women on my block who was scammed from one question.. is your name.....answered yes. Becareful and do not say the word yes if your not sure who you are speaking with.

Re: COMPUTER PRINTER SCAM ... BEWARE

Lilysmom — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 19:51:26 GMT

@apple1964, I am normally a cautious and alert person. I don’t consider myself an easy pushover. This experience was exactly like doing business on Amazon’s site with live chat. The guy was so convincing. Thank heavens I took the time to step back and check it out.

I called Costco and told them what happened. Costco is going to take this up with the printer supplier. I also wrote a detailed review of the experience on the Costco website so someone else buying this printer would beware. It’s awful that these crooks get away with stuff like this. LM

Re: COMPUTER PRINTER SCAM ... BEWARE

NickNack — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 20:30:36 GMT

@Lilysmom I think I would also called Brother (or whatever brand the printer is) and tell them what happened. If it happened on their website they should know.