Electronics

[Lilysmom]

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

[spent2much]

@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.

[Lilysmom]

@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

[Mesmerized169]

@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!

[Nightowlz]

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.

[DearPrudence]

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.

[YorkieonmyPillow]

@Lilysmom  Thanks for the heads up!

[gardenman]

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.

[Mz iMac]

@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?

[SXMGirl]

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