As result of following mcafee lost a customer. Posted for info it’s about a scam I think folk should be aware of
A relative bought a new laptop last week with a McAfee anti virus subscription. He asked me to help set up his latop and install McAfee.
The McAfee package gave a Web site to visit to key in an activation code.
Code entered but it results in same screen. coming back.
No message to say code incorrect which should have been an “uh oh” to me but there is a chat window so I seek help.
They ask for phone number and lady phones to get access to laptop. As it’s brand new with no data on it and although my uh oh becomes hmm. I give access.
That fails so she says she will phone back.
Two mins later a guy phones back ostensibly from McAfee to take over. I do ask why lady didn’t return call but he starts to show me on laptop screen what the problem is taking me into a Windows services window that shows lots of services stopped. He then highlights two progs he says are trojans that will give hackers access. I’m thinking HMMM as Norton came pre installed on 30 day trial so how did they get there on a new machine.
He then explains they exist on the network as in not on laptop but added as soon as it linked to home network ( BT). So I ask why are they not guarding their network. He says they cannot but his company (that he had directed me to in order to see what was on the system ) could fix.
HMMM now on red alert when he posts up a cost of over £200!. On being told yer joking he pulls it down to the McAfee subscription price and changes screen to one where card details and amount get input.
AT this point I say I’ll check it out but if you give me an e mail I’ll get back to you to take up the offer. He hangs up.
I check for any new software added that day not recognisable and delete but advise relative to take laptop back to store to get refund on McAfee (he will stick with Norton) and explain why and check the laptop for malware. It was ok.
Store explains it is all an elaborate con when you go to activate subscription.
How elaborate is that when I was being pointed to the Windows services stopped and the trojans I was not looking into my laptop but a mock screen! Talk about deception! Could have been Regan I was talking to.
I don’t know how I was taken to scam site. in first place.
Pretty sure I typed in correct URL from McAfee package but once there it was all an incredibly elaborate hoax to get card details.
So message is if anyone asks for access to your PC make absolutely certain who you are talking to before giving them anything to enable them to contact you.
Ask for their number and before phoning back check the number or Google for scams involving the product that necessitated contacting them.
If you get a wee “uh oh” at all heed it. We lost nothing but a couple of hours but it could have been a lot worse.
