Have I been tricked....???
Last night while cruising YouTube, my computer suddenly locked down and an audio loop began running, warning me not to 'turn off my computer or risk losing ALL my files etc.'
The only solution apparently was to call a 800 number and a pleasant fellow from India said he would help me. At these times I tend to believe these guys...they're smarter than me.
We chatted and I let him into my computer to search for the virus. To make a long story shorter, he talked me into an anti-virus program for $799.99 USD for lifetime protection. He freed up my computer on the promise that I would send him a payment on Monday.
What can he do if I don't fulfil my promise? Did they originate the 'lockdown' to attract customers like me? Since they already went into my computer "searching" do they now own it?
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janterry
(4,429 posts)You have been deceived. Do everything you can to protect yourself. Stop payment if you made one. Call your credit card company. He is a fraud.
ETA: I found this link. http://money.cnn.com/2017/05/12/technology/ftc-tech-trap-scam/index.html
Do you have any bank documents on your computer? Any sensitive information? Taxes?? You will want to first run spyware on your computer. Did he really install anything? You need to get it off your computer. If he did, you can take it off through Ccleaner (or manually from your computer). Also, protect any personal information - it may have been compromised.
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)No way. This can not be a serious post.
Even Edith Bunker wouldn't fall for that.
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)It cost me $1K to clean my computer and forever to change all the passwords. I finally bought a new DELL and set it up clean. They will threaten you if you don't pay, but just tell them you have turned them into the police and hang up on them.
I made the mistake of thinking they were connected to Microsoft, as all kinds of Microsoft warnings were flashing all over the place. I should have closed down immediately without doing anything they instructed me to do.
Fortunately, my computer guru felt sorry for me and reduced his fees substantially, but it still took him several trips to finish the job. They kept popping up in the oddest of ways.
Change all your passwords and run Malwarebytes and your antivirus software. CCleaner, if you have it or any other cleaner. Do not open your bank site.
DO NOT PAY THEM.
DonViejo
(60,536 posts)turn off the computer.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)1k to clean your computer?
Your guru is a thief too.
Worst case scenario a reinstall of the OS fixes all and that should not run more than $160 tops.
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)The thing with this crap they load on is that it is all over your computer system. He cleaned out a ton of stuff, but others would pop up. We'd think it was clean, then a day or so later, something else would signal that he was still in there. Every morning was a surprise with him showing up in various sites. It was eerie.
That also included the $250 they charged, which I eventually got back from Wells Fargo. Oh, and a new routing system and updates on my software. When it was all said and done, he was a minor part of the whole scenario. I've had him for years.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)As someone who is other people's guru. Again worst case scenario you wipe the hard drive and reinstall Windows. No intrusion survives that.
Unless you really needed a new computer because you wanted a new computer suggesting you need to buy one to get rid of an infection is ridiculous.
Sounds like an all around horrible experience for you . Sorry you had to go through it.
solara
(3,872 posts)And it scared the crap out of me, because I couldn't get their enormous warning banner, nor their loud noises and voice off my desk top and I don't have tremendous computer knowledge.
The guy directed me to a website with an 800 number, I was pretty much freaking out, and the ONLY reason I didn't do what he asked was because I was familiar with the program he was urging me to open by calling the number. I remembered the program that permitted a tech person to take over my computer from a distance to help repair a glitch, but I allowed it then only because I knew the tech. This guy was a total stranger and I could barely understand his english and the longer I took to make up my mind, the more threatening he became and the clearer it was that none of what he was telling me made any sense.
I finally refused to do what he asked and he threatened me. And truly for a while I couldn't even turn my computer off, but eventually I was able to. I don't know how they can disrupt someones computer like that.. It's pretty scary on every level and I was just lucky. My tech friend helped me and said that it was fortunate that I have a Mac and I immediately changed all my passwords.
So you have my sympathies, I am very sorry he got you and I hope you can figure out how to keep your money and clean your computer.
It's very scary what these lying creeps can do and the power they SEEM to have.
earthshine
(1,642 posts)Their software (malware) was already on your computer and actively communicating with "the mother ship."
One explanation is that perhaps, at some point, you clicked a link in a spam email and it loaded the trojan onto your system.
solara
(3,872 posts)That explanation makes a lot of sense and I check for malware now regularly.
thanks again
pangaia
(24,324 posts)But, honestly, I can not believe ANYBODY would fall for such obvious malarkey.
Good luck...
packman
(16,296 posts)a scam, pure and simple. Unfortunately, if you let him into your computer it is now in all probably infected with a program which will lock it until you pay up - which you cannot, under any circumstances do. I cannot believe you would think about giving someone a credit card number .
Looks like you need to take it to a computer repair store and have it wiped clean and have the operating system reinstalled - anything short of that is just playing around with them. They are now in control of your computer with a bug which they can only unlock.
As recommended, if you have any bank records, personnel files, passwords to anything, credit card numbers, etc. - you need to take steps to close them out and change them WITHOUT using your computer in its present state.
CanSocDem
(3,286 posts)They offered several programs 1 year-3 year-5year-lifetime. The "lifetime appeared to be the best deal. They allowed me to pay in installments- Which I have not yet done. That's the good news; the bad news is that they have my banking info.
I had a good friend who sold, fixed and serviced all of my computers from Day1. He died last summer and I haven't found anybody to replace him. I do, however, really appreciate all the information each of you has offered and I'll read all the links you provided.
Not only do they have my bank page, they also have my debit card number which they tried to run through visa. That they hadn't heard about INTERAC was an early clue. Anyway is that card compromised?
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janterry
(4,429 posts)hurry! Call and have your card changed. Lock them out!!
CanSocDem
(3,286 posts)But I've made no payments and will endeavour to get to my bank first thing Monday morning and hope I haven't been cleaned out.
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janterry
(4,429 posts)Is there a 1800 number? My card has a fraud company that I can call if my card is lost. I can cancel my card through them - even if my bank is closed (it's open 24 hours a day).
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)OP can go to bank on Monday, but cancel the card immediately.
Phentex
(16,528 posts)Go take out as much as you can first.
I think it will all be gone by Monday.
Chasstev365
(5,191 posts)earthshine
(1,642 posts)Last edited Sun Oct 29, 2017, 12:51 AM - Edit history (1)
Back up your data immediately. Prepare to migrate to a different computer.
You must not use your current computer in its current form.
A total wipe of the current computer would also be adequate, but you will need your files (documents, pictures, music, etc.) to be externalized so they can be added back to the computer after the wipe.
Assume they already have your data. That means bank, credit card, and identity info that's stored on your system is now their's.
But, if you have a backup, they can't lock you out of your own stuff.
I grieve with thee.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)You gave remote access to your computer to 'someone'
plus you gave him your bank debit card number?
Contact youtube, report for fraud.
rollback your computer to an earlier date, (that removes any settings that were changed)
Call your bank and get a new debit card ASAP, stop the card NOW & get a new bank card immediately.
Phentex
(16,528 posts)if you haven't already done so
CanSocDem
(3,286 posts)Saved bank account, rescued computer and learned a lesson. Thank you, everybody, for the help!