Virus and potential Technical Support scam?

flier

Hi, Can anyone advise me? My mother lives 20 miles away and told me she had a problem with viruses on her computer. She got fed up waiting on me getting down to see her and googled "Norton security help". To cut a long story short, the number she phoned is not Norton but a "Technical support Company" who she allowed access to her laptop and were running virus checks which supposedly showed she had over 500 pieces of malware. They asked for over £149 to fix it which she has paid (giving bank a/c details). Since I found out about it, and looked into it, I have told her to switch the computer off. But, was this the right thing to do? Has anyone been through this? Will mum be able to get her money back? Feeling so bad I can't do anything to help her from here!

[Deleted User]

Hi,

:eek: sounds like a scam.

Can she contact bank and put a stop on the payment?

flier

Thats what I thought. I tld her to phone the bank and they have told her to phone Norton o ask them for her money back, which is a bit strange as its not Norton she has paid them money to, so not much help really. They have cancelled her card though.

Strider590

I though Google were sorting this sh*t out, she's obviously clicked on one of the Google ads at the top of the search results.

JohnB47

flier wrote: »

Thats what I thought. I tld her to phone the bank and they have told her to phone Norton o ask them for her money back, which is a bit strange as its not Norton she has paid them money to, so not much help really. They have cancelled her card though.

Presumably when you said she had paid 'giving bank a/c details' you meant Credit Card details. (You later said 'They have cancelled her card though').

Perhaps you need to double check how she paid?

Also, hopefully some experts will reply now with advice about how to detect and remove any software that the company may have installed on her PC and that may still be a threat.

flier

Nope, she didn't give credit card details, she gave her bank a/c details...

flier

I've contacted Norton who will be able to take a look. I wonder if they'll be able to sort it. I'd rather be there to see it, but can't

[Deleted User]

Hi,

did they manage to fix it, if so then don't think much chance of money back?

grumpycrab

1. Its nothing to do with Norton
2. If its not a credit card then sounds like debit card; less protection than a credit card;
3. Her computer needs to be restored to date before scam (but doubt anythings changed)
4. You need to drive 20miles.

JohnB47

flier wrote: »

Nope, she didn't give credit card details, she gave her bank a/c details...

OK, so what 'card' have the bank cancelled? If she gave them her bank a/c details (account name, sort code and account number), then cancelling a 'card' will do nothing surely.

You need to clarify this area quickly. Just my opinion - it might not be as bad as it sounds.

Gambler101

I would recommend re-installing the operating system in this case.