topic Re: HP Computer Scam Calls in Electronics

HP Computer Scam Calls

cheriere — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 15:44:40 GMT

This past Christmas I got my mom the HP TSV computer. She's not very mobile, so she's on it watching things most of the time.

Yesterday evening, it just suddenly went off and shut down. When she tried to start it back up there was a message supposedly from Microsoft Windows with a phone number to call. She called it. I wasn't aware of this at the time. I walked in at the end of the call.

Anyways, they explained to her the computer had viruses and it would cost $100 for them to remotely fix it so she could use it again. She told them she didn't have $100 and hung up the phone when I told her it was a scam!

The computer started up as normal and she's been on it watching Netflix since. However, I'm now concerned they are able to get her online banking information as well as other accounts she has on there. Is anyone familiar with what we should do, if anything since this happened? I'm nervous about this. Thanks

Re: HP Computer Scam Calls

millieshops — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 15:54:55 GMT

@cheriere I've had that scam 3 different times. I bought a Geek Squad deal that's still in place and they walked me through a quick lift of the scam. I hadn't called the number, but the Geek helping me told me if I ever clicked on a potential scam, I should immediately change the passwords of any account that was involved.

I changed the account I used to pay for the new computer and the Geek Squad membership even though it probably wasn't necessary that day. I am alert enough still to know that sometimes I do cause my own issues!

Re: HP Computer Scam Calls

cheriere — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 16:03:34 GMT

@millieshops I've heard of the Geek Squad. Sounds like I need to get them for her computer. We'll go over her accounts on there today and change all of her passwords too. I appreciate this information. I didn't know what kind of protection to get.

I nearly fell over when I walked in and saw what was going on with this phone call. It's amazing how these scammers can just take over a computer to cause it to shut down completely. My moms sister had her bank account drained twice. Knowing this, I was sure she wouldn't call any of these numbers. But because they were able to shut her computer down, she thought it was legitimate.

Re: HP Computer Scam Calls

Estellee — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 16:09:21 GMT

@cheriere I am not certain but I think as long as your mom didn't give them access to her computer remotely which probably wouldn't happen unless she agreed to pay the ransom. If she has any payments stored on her computer I agree to change her passwords, it wouldn't hurt! If you would, let us know what happens, this is a learning experience.

Re: HP Computer Scam Calls

cheriere — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 16:16:13 GMT

@Estellee wrote:
@cheriere I am not certain but I think as long as your mom didn't give them access to her computer remotely which probably wouldn't happen unless she agreed to pay the ransom. If she has any payments stored on her computer I agree to change her passwords, it wouldn't hurt! If you would, let us know what happens, this is a learning experience.

The only time she's ever given remote access to her computer was to HP when setting it up. She called the number in the manual that came with the computer because she couldn't get something to work. This still a

ways scares me though.

We're definitely going to change passwords. All of her banking information is on there. Plus, Netflix, telephone, WiFi, satellite. I'm not even sure what else 😳.
I will post updates. I sure hope nothing's been taken. The reason I posted about this is because I wanted to let others know this is going on right now, so please BEWARE.

Re: HP Computer Scam Calls

Estellee — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 16:24:28 GMT

@cheriere I have a friend that fell for the scam, paid the ransom and gave them access to her computer. She said she got so nervous by the noise the computer was making and the message on her screen, she just wanted it to stop. I believe if they can't get access to the computer they can't harm it. Sounds like you are on top of it changing all the passwords. Good luck, keep us posted if you can

Re: HP Computer Scam Calls

cheriere — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 16:30:16 GMT

@Estellee I will definitely keep everyone posted. I really appreciate your sharing this story with me too. It's easy to understand why people do give in to this.😊❤️

Re: HP Computer Scam Calls

Estellee — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 16:32:35 GMT

@cheriere wrote:
@Estellee I will definitely keep everyone posted. I really appreciate your sharing this story with me too. It's easy to understand why people do give in to this.😊

@cheriere It's just awful and it seems to happen to older individuals that aren't aware that this type of thing happens so often.

Re: HP Computer Scam Calls

cheriere — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 16:36:43 GMT

@Estellee wrote:
@cheriere wrote:
@Estellee I will definitely keep everyone posted. I really appreciate your sharing this story with me too. It's easy to understand why people do give in to this.😊

@cheriere It's just awful and it seems to happen to older individuals that aren't aware that this type of thing happens so often.

You're exactly right. It had my mom tore all to pieces after I explained it to her. So sad they try to take advantage of the most vulnerable.😔

Re: HP Computer Scam Calls

m0rgan — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 16:37:58 GMT

I would also remove any credit cards that may be stored on her computer. I always remove my credit cards after each and every purchase just to be sure. It is a pain but a bigger one to have cancel credit cards and bank accounts. I remove from QVC, Walmart, Target, Amazon and anywhere else I can. Someone tried to use my credit card on Amazon and they caught it but it was still scary. It means you have to have your credit card next to you when you purchase and then remove again when item is shipped. Worth it to me!

Re: HP Computer Scam Calls

Estellee — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 16:41:20 GMT

@m0rgan I do the same thing. When I make a purchase on line I remove my credit card, it certainly doesn't hurt.

@m0rgan wrote:
I would also remove any credit cards that may be stored on her computer. I always remove my credit cards after each and every purchase just to be sure. It is a pain but a bigger one to have cancel credit cards and bank accounts. I remove from QVC, Walmart, Target, Amazon and anywhere else I can. Someone tried to use my credit card on Amazon and they caught it but it was still scary. It means you have to have your credit card next to you when you purchase and then remove again when item is shipped. Worth it to me!

Re: HP Computer Scam Calls

Still Raining — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 16:59:03 GMT

Can you set up double authentication for her? Where they message a numeric code to enable login? Handy for anything important-bank accounts, Amazon, CC, medical

Also make sure no one at all keeps her CC #. Even here.

Re: HP Computer Scam Calls

forego — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 17:19:11 GMT

This has happened to me many times that a message pops up flashing from Microsoft that my computer has a virus call this number right away and pleae dont shut your computer down

beleive me all you have to do is just shut your computer down do a security check

and you are back in business.there is no way they can get any personal information from you just as long you didnot call the number or let them log on

to your computer.you donot have to change any passwords or any thing else,

had this happen for years and never had a problem with any of my personal info. taken from me.

Re: HP Computer Scam Calls

Caffeina — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 17:27:59 GMT

@cheriere

Since she called them, they now have her phone number. Tell her not to answer calls from any number she doesn't recognize. Also, open her Programs and Features screen. Click on where it says Installed On, so the most recent date is first. Check to make sure nothing questionable was recently installed.

Re: HP Computer Scam Calls

qvcaddition — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 17:29:45 GMT

OMG that happened to me last month. I won't go into all the details, but I had to cancel all my CC and bank account #. I went to the geek squad at Best buy and they scrubbed my computer, then to the bank, got new account number. It took me 2 weeks to get everything back in order.

I usually don't fall for this stuff.

I was looking up a receipe and when the ingred. said continue, I did and my screen came up with xxx and to call microsoft.

I let the scammer into my computer, but called the bank on my phone and thats when he hung up.

Long story short, its a nightmare, but sounds like your mom hung up in time. just keep a watch on her accounts.

I'm proberly your moms age, in my late 80's.

She is lucky she has you to help her, I had no one so it was a terrible day, but I got it all taken care of.

He even got into my phone, but I don't have info on that like most people put everything on their phone.

Best buy was so good to me. The charges to do what they did cost about 200.00. The person was so nice and could see how rattled I was, she waived the charges.

She said, this happens alot, not just to the elderly, but to everyone. I'm lucky I didn't have a stroke, so much I had to take care of at the time.

Keep an eye on her accounts.

Re: HP Computer Scam Calls

cheriere — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 17:43:16 GMT

@m0rgan wrote:
I would also remove any credit cards that may be stored on her computer. I always remove my credit cards after each and every purchase just to be sure. It is a pain but a bigger one to have cancel credit cards and bank accounts. I remove from QVC, Walmart, Target, Amazon and anywhere else I can. Someone tried to use my credit card on Amazon and they caught it but it was still scary. It means you have to have your credit card next to you when you purchase and then remove again when item is shipped. Worth it to me!

Thank you for saying this because I just went through this with my mom's accounts. The only that she refused to allow me to remove was those in which auto payments were coming out of...she's afraid of having some services cancelled. However, I think we should be able to call and have them set up again. I even insisted she change the old aol email password she still uses.

Re: HP Computer Scam Calls

cheriere — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 17:51:11 GMT

@Still Raining wrote:
Can you set up double authentication for her? Where they message a numeric code to enable login? Handy for anything important-bank accounts, Amazon, CC, medical

Also make sure no one at all keeps her CC #. Even here.

Yes, when I went to change her banking password I made sure there was a double authentication set up. She didn't like it much, lol, but I don't think she really understands how persistent these scammers can be.

She has a notebook where all of her former passwords are stored I went through and changed too. Boy were there some crazy ones. Most I would've never been able to figure out had it needed too lol. I let her I pick the new ones, which were still much harder than any I've ever chosen, and wrote them on the new pages.

For some strange reason though, her medical password was unable to be changed! It kept saying she would have to contact the office and sign some sort of paperwork. They're not in until Monday, so I pray that nobody will figure this out.

Re: HP Computer Scam Calls

cheriere — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 17:57:03 GMT

@forego wrote:
This has happened to me many times that a message pops up flashing from Microsoft that my computer has a virus call this number right away and pleae dont shut your computer down
beleive me all you have to do is just shut your computer down do a security check
and you are back in business.there is no way they can get any personal information from you just as long you didnot call the number or let them log on
to your computer.you donot have to change any passwords or any thing else,
had this happen for years and never had a problem with any of my personal info. taken from me.

I've never had this happen on my iPad. But mom uses the HP and unfortunately did call the number unknowingly. She didn't give them access to the computer...she says.

I just cauget the last part of the phone call where she told them she wasn't paying and hung up after I told her it was a scam. I went ahead and changed most all of her passwords and removed her cards from the places she allowed me. I'm going to call the places she didn't want the cards taken from because of auto payment and see what they say.

I pray everything goes well.

Re: HP Computer Scam Calls

KingstonMom — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 17:58:42 GMT

@Estellee wrote:
@cheriere I am not certain but I think as long as your mom didn't give them access to her computer remotely which probably wouldn't happen unless she agreed to pay the ransom. If she has any payments stored on her computer I agree to change her passwords, it wouldn't hurt! If you would, let us know what happens, this is a learning experience.

@Estellee

If they were able to shut her computer down, they HAD access.

Re: HP Computer Scam Calls

cheriere — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 17:58:58 GMT

@Caffeina wrote:
@cheriere

Since she called them, they now have her phone number. Tell her not to answer calls from any number she doesn't recognize. Also, open her Programs and Features screen. Click on where it says Installed On, so the most recent date is first. Check to make sure nothing questionable was recently installed.

Thank you so much for letting me know about doing this. I NEVER would've thought to check here. Will do this immediately. Thanks again.❤️