Whiz Global Tech - computer services company?

zigzigzag

Hello - I was just wondering if anyone in the techie forum has ever heard of or come across the company Whiz Global Tech? Basically, are they a legit computer services company?

They cold-called an elderly relative of mine, telling him his computer had viruses and problems (how did they know he had a computer? how could they know it had problems, which it doesn't, as it's virtually brand-new?) and convinved him to let them access his computer by giving them control of his desktop; this company then spent 3 hours (!) 'cleaning' the computer (there are barely any files on it, and as I said it's very new), then convinced him that he needed to take out their 'platinum' service agreement at £85 for a year. Apparently the service monitors his computer, and covers any computer problems, but my relative was unclear as to what exactly it covers. This is ridiculous, as he does not need this service as his computer is very new and doesn't have any problems.

I think he's mad for having let a cold-caller do all this to his computer, and for signing up for this unnecessary service. He uses the computer for online shopping, so his credit card details may be in there somewhere.

I've tried to look into this company on my computer, but my Norton security tells me their website is not verified and hence not secure, so I am not going to open it. All I could find is that they only recently registered as a company in March 2011.

So I wondered if anyone else has had any dealings with this company, positive or negative, and if anyone could give me any further details about it? My gut feeling is that I do not trust it (cold-calling, non-secure website), but I need more information. Thanks in advance.

free4440273

never heard of them!

Browntoa

its a variant of an old con........

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3092978

John_Gray

Isn't about time we had a sticky about these organisations or individuals which are preying on those insufficiently-computer-savvy people? There are so many similar threads that it would be boring if it wasn't so tragic.

zigzigzag

Thanks for your responses - and the link to the other con - yes it sounds almost identical, I'd forgotten that at first he told us 'Microsoft rang me', so they did claim to have some connection to Microsoft! We told him Microsoft does not ring people. And their payment method was Paypal.

We've already told him that he should cancel the ongoing service (he's so stubborn he probably won't, doesn't want to admit that there might be anything wrong with this company). We also suggested he take his computer to PC World and get it cleaned properly to get rid of anything this company did to it. Do you think that's a good idea? any other advice or suggestions?

Do you think they could've taken any personal data putting him at risk of fraud?

And I agree wholeheartedly about the sticky, good idea.

Browntoa

don't take it to PC WORLD !!!!

use system restore to roll back to a date before they "fixed" the pc

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/system-restore

download , update and then full scan with malwarebytes to see if its got anything on there

http://www.filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_anti_malware/

RussJK

Yeah, taking it to PC world would just compound the problems and waste even more money...

closed

If it's quite new you could backup data, and factory restore it to be sure.

pc world will take more money, anything they do, you can do for free.

did he pay by paypal, open a paypal dispute, the whole scam is a fraud.

See post 80

http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/314295/windows_event_viewer_phishing_scam_remains_active/

dogmaryxx

[QUOTE=zigzigzag;43367742
I've tried to look into this company on my computer, but my Norton security tells me their website is not verified and hence not secure, so I am not going to open it. /QUOTE]

Site is safe to visit. He could try this(nothing to lose now)

Refund Policy


A full refund will only be given if a refund request is received in writing or Online through our System by
writing to us at [EMAIL="accounts@whizglobaltech.com"]accounts@whizglobaltech.com[/EMAIL] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it within 10 Days of Subscription.

zigzigzag

Thanks for all your suggestions. Problem is my relative is so non-computer-literate he couldn't do any of these things - system restore, malwarebytes etc. I'd do it for him but I don't live nearby. I'll try to talk him through it on the phone.

Have done some googling and indeed this is a very common scam!!!

Guardian Money and Guardian Technology:
Older people and PC 'virus' clean-ups: http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/dec/04/online-mobile-phone-scams
Consumer warning over anti-virus software scams (fraudulent 'IT helpdesks' offering to check their computers for viruses): http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/nov/15/consumers-anti-virus-software-scam
Virus phone scam being run from call centres in India: Britons targeted by cold callers pretending to be from Microsoft phoning to fix a fake computer problem http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/18/phone-scam-india-call-centres
Those 'PC virus' phone call scams: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2010/jul/20/phone-calls-india-scams
'Microsoft support centre' scam continues: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2011/mar/01/microsoft-virus-scam-continues
The risk of buying support from callers unknown: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/askjack/2011/mar/03/computer-support-scam-ask-jack

Action Fraud: http://actionfraud.org.uk/watch-out-for-scams-that-use-microsofts-name-aug10

Microsoft Safety & Security Center: http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/msname.aspx

clinteestwood

If they were able to be granted remote access then so can you. Do it that way. If not, ring him and walk him through the stages of rolling the system back.

If he paid by card then there is an authorisation period put on the card which is guaranteed by the bank for 3 days. Get him to call his bank and reject the purchase to those people.

I really feel sorry for people that get caught like that. Im lucky that my mother will always ask myself or my brother, but i still worry. genuinely hope that you can fix this.