My computer locked!

[Bananas18]

Im really needing some help? Earlier today our computer locked up and said that we needed to call a number which we thought said microsoft. The guy tells me our computer had no firewall.  I thought we were talking to microsoft though. So he went into our computer and showed me that there were like 46 people are something that had access to our computer and that we wld haveto do a one time fixation that wld cost $249.99. I wanted to call my boyfriend and see what he thought so I asked him to hold on a moment and used another phone.. Take into consideration we cldnt do anything with our computer at all. It was just a page that wldnt go away that said we wld haveto call that number to have it fixed. We need the computer for the kids school. This was very concerning to me because the ip address is linked to all of our electronics in the house.  My son hangs up on this man while Im on another phone calling my boyfriend to go over the payment. Then my daughter turns off the computer. The guy didnt seem like he wanted to wait like had to get it done and everyone has to do this when their ip address has been done like this. My question is, is this a real thing that happens to people.

[Dragon-Fur]

@Bananas18 

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Welcome to the HP Community.

Reminder to those reading:

Do NOT respond to individuals who post phone numbers or email addresses.

These might be scammers trying to steal your information / money.

HP does not post phone numbers or email in Community messages.

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I am sorry this happened.

It was a scam - pure and simple.

And yes, this is a thing that can happen to people - has happened to people, in fact.

Awful thieves trying to take advantage of you.

I cannot judge how much trouble you are in now - unless you let the rat log into your computer, that part, at least is likely OK.

Before you do anything else, have the boyfriend - and, if she is tech savvy - your daughter check out the computer.

Ask boyfriend and daughter to check on your security software - somehow it failed and let a rat crawl though the barrier.  Not enough?  Get a friend, colleague, other family member to take a look.

If you are depending on Microsoft Windows Defender security software,

Learn more here at the Microsoft site:

Windows Security - Microsoft Windows Defender 

By no means should you ever call anyone that suddenly pops up on your device and says they will help you if you would only just give them your information and your credit card number.  Rats and thieves.

READ – Be Informed – Be Aware

HP Fraud Alert: Protecting Yourself from Scams | HP® Official Site

HP Fraud Alert: Protect Yourself from Scams, Report Suspicious Calls

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The Community is a separate wing of the HP website - We are not a business group of HP..

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

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Question Resolved / Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[MarcusC]

Hey @Bananas18 

Im sorry that this situation happened with you.




As for scammers in the community:



Be alert for scammers who may be posing as HP support representatives, particularly those who claim to be “HP Helpdesk”.



Only call numbers from people who have a HP badge on their profile page.



If you think you have received a fake HP Support message, please report it to us by clicking on the blue "Report Inappropriate Content" button above the message in the Private Message portion of the Community.



Thank you!



Kind regards,



MarcusC