My grandparents got Tech Support scammed!

maxcomputer

Reputable
Aug 12, 2014
2
0
4,510
My grandparents use a HP Pavilion dv6 laptop. They play Facebook games and use the internet, and claim that they "never install anything", even though they obviously do. Their computer is cluttered with junk files, such as iObit, ad ware, etc. They called us and told us that there computer was acting funny, and that when they turn it on they cant click on anything. Okay, fine. Probably some kind of Trojan. So, we tell them to wait for me to come out next week, because i am a self certified computer geek, and they say "Okay."
Next week, they tell us that they got Microsoft to fix it for $400. I was immediately skeptical. My grandma wouldn't give me much info, because she wasn't involved much, it was my grandpa. About a month later, now, I come over to their house. They ask me to print something for them, and i notice that the computer is slow and cluttered with junk. They tell me that Microsoft did it. I find a file on their PC called "pctechsite_consumer agreement" or something. I look up PC tech site and ask them if this was the company that helped them, and they said yes. This company is sketchy as all hell, and IS NOT microsoft. Turns out, that they fixed their computer over the internet, and installed all types of crap. Now, it still has adware, and is slower than ever. I could have fixed it for free, and they got scammed. Be wary of this stuff, guys. It's real, and it'd disgusting.
 
Solution
Never, ever, ever let anyone remotely access your pc. Within just a few days you could potentially have all kinds of sultry images of ladies of the night... or at least that is how I explained those pictures on my pc to my wife. :p

Honestly though, most of us have parents or grandparents that need guidance before they ever touch a computer. The reality is that it takes constant reinforcement to keep them safe from this kind of thing.

I hope everything works out for them!

maxcomputer

Reputable
Aug 12, 2014
2
0
4,510


They insist I don't wipe the PC. I did, however, download antivirus and antimalware and get rid of everything on there that isn't things that they want. Pc tech did fix the issue, but they added a bunch of crap and charged $400
 

Ibechief

Reputable
Jul 2, 2014
296
0
4,810
Never, ever, ever let anyone remotely access your pc. Within just a few days you could potentially have all kinds of sultry images of ladies of the night... or at least that is how I explained those pictures on my pc to my wife. :p

Honestly though, most of us have parents or grandparents that need guidance before they ever touch a computer. The reality is that it takes constant reinforcement to keep them safe from this kind of thing.

I hope everything works out for them!
 
Solution

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator


In my family, I am the parent/grandparent. Those 'other people' are the ones that need the reinforcement.
 

Ibechief

Reputable
Jul 2, 2014
296
0
4,810


I've learned over the years that the younger generations AND the older generations have amazing things to teach us. The funny thing is that you never really know what amazing knowledge is locked behind those faces.

My kids teach me things daily, my parents (if they get their way) as well. I know I am dependent on friends and family to keep me informed when they hold the expert card. There just is not enough time in a day to be an expert at everything.
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator


Oh, definitely. Just today my daughter told me of this cool new future toy that will be on my radar once it matures, and the first round of privacy breaches is fixed.
 

Ibechief

Reputable
Jul 2, 2014
296
0
4,810


lol.

Sorry OP for hijacking your thread.
I'm for wipe and restart as well. Backup their docs and clean it the old fashion way. They will really appreciate the speed boost as well.

 

nubbsauce

Reputable
Jun 6, 2014
238
0
4,760
Honestly, I would wipe the drive and perform a Full ReFormat of it. When it comes to that type of scamming, I would take no chance. Have them write down their passwords and usernames on a paper so they don't forget, and wipe the computer. Then have them change ALL of their passwords. As USAF said, they have been compromised and can be accessed at any point in time. Keyloggers are a pain in the butt.