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its another laptop scam =sorry folks did not realise straight away.

Chris_Saints
Chris_Saints Posts: 2 Newbie
Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
edited 17 June 2024 at 10:57AM in Techie Stuff
I would have ignored it but it froze my computer so I had to phone the number given for Microsoft Windows Defender (Removed by Forum Team) - Guy called Brandon answered and said I needed to pay for an extension for windows Defender 1 year £199.99 2 years £299.99 or 3 years £399.99.  I did ask questions - he said he worked for Turtlewise company in London and they had offices in Canada etc.  As my laptop was blocked I finally answered all his questions - he was very helpful and even added on adblocker for free.  This posting is just to warn anyone else.  I have cancelled the payment so if he phones tomorrow as he said he would, I will try to be pleasant.   PS if scammers block your laptop how do you free it? (closing laptop did not work)

Comments

  • elsien
    elsien Posts: 35,234 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 14 June 2024 at 7:02PM
    This may be better off in the tech part of the forum, If you ask for it to be moved. 
    When you say closing the laptop didn’t work, did you hold the power button down till it turned off?

    I would be extremely concerned about someone I thought was a scammer adding any sort of software onto my computer - How do you know the ad blocker he installed was legitimate?
    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
  • Danien
    Danien Posts: 246 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 15 June 2024 at 10:27AM
    I would say you need to get your laptop looked at by a professional to neutralise and remove the software (and advise you of what nefarious software was installed) and what the risks to you are, which has a high chance of containing spyware. I would cancel any payment cards stored on the laptop or that I have used on the laptop since the software was installed. Find another way (not your laptop) to change all passwords and change your router password and don't connect laptop until clean. 

    Also consider which sites you might have visited or links you opened to get the initial virus on the laptop to make sure you don't do it again. I believe there are free courses available about Internet security and avoiding this sort of thing or other scams. Never pay up to someone who extorts you this way, get help in person from a verified professional.
  • AskAsk
    AskAsk Posts: 3,008 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    As already said, you need to get someone with knowledge to look at your pc if he has done anything to it!
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