Contacted HP support and was redirected to Geek Autobuzz

[wincarey37]

Our laptop (HP) had been hacked by someone reporting to be Microsoft. We took it to the Geek Squad at Best Buy. They were not able to restore it. We bought a new laptop HP Envy x360. When I tried to connect it to our printer HP envy 6455e, I had a problem and contacted hp.com/support/envy6400e using the QR code. On the help chat I asked to speak to a live person. I gave my telephone number and someone from HP, Max from Support called me and then after a short conversation I was told that I needed to speak to someone else. I spoke briefly with a woman and they then they said that I needed to speak to someone else and they would call me. So, this third person then called me, and they took over my computer supposedly did diagnostic work set up protection for my computer. After they finished, they sent me a payment Authorization form. They charged $1,011.00 for supposedly fixing my brand-new HP lap top and my (possibly) 4-year-old printer. HP needs to know this is happening and put a stop to it.

[Dragon-Fur]

@wincarey37 

Welcome to the HP English Community --

Unfortunately, you were scammed.

You never contacted HP Support

HP Support did not call you.

The people who gained access to your computer were not HP Support.

Yes, the names vary -

Yesterday we heard from someone who was scammed by "John".

What you describe is common.

I am sorry that happened to you.

The only valid way to contact HP Support is to go through HP World-Wide Support

When you open a "Not-HP" website, then anything you find on that website could be suspect, including pop-ups, virtual assistants, phone numbers, chat, any attempt to get your phone number, threats, begging, cajoling, or sneaking around.  

Certainly anyone wanting remote access to your computer or private information is a giant red flag.

Not-HP websites are everywhere on the Internet -- the owners of those websites might be honest, somewhat devious, or the worst of thieves and scoundrels.

If you gave away remote access to your computer, then anything on that computer that is not hidden behind encryption is susceptible to being compromised.  Depending on the type of breach, the skill of the thieves, and their intent - "compromised" can mean installing unknown software or malware, accessing your private files, and perhaps even copying those files or pictures.

What to do?

All of these and more...

• Change all your passwords -- including those for your network and router.

• Contact your bank - try to reverse charges for any supposed "security software" or "firewall protection".  Ask your bank to put a freeze on mysterious charges that show up.  True, there is a limit to what some banks will do; trying is better than not.

• Remove whatever software you know the thieves installed.

• Use your own security software or, for Windows use Windows Defender to scour your computer for bugs, malware, monitoring software.

• Report the incident to the authorities.

• Perhaps warn your friends, colleagues, or other contacts about being contacted by "unknown" people.

• Block any contact with the thieves - on phone, email, and text.

What can we do?

I've sent your comments to our Moderators for Review and evaluation.

Should there be a response, look for a message here before the agent uses other methods to contact you.

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Request for Review – Please Read

A request has been submitted to our HP Community moderators for review and evaluation of your concern.

Worth Noting

• Our HP Community is a peer-to-peer user group.
• We are not HP Technical Support -- We are not associated with HP Sales, Service, or Warranty.
• Our request for assistance on your behalf does not guarantee HP will respond nor does our request influence the outcome.
• The time frame (how long it takes) to receive a response from HP is not controlled by the Community.

==========================================================

Important

Never post private information in the HP Community!

Thieves are waiting - do not just hand out your privacy to their keeping.

HP Support does not free-post phone numbers for HP Support on the Internet.

Your computer is not full of bugs and you do not need to pay a fee for driver support.

Pay attention to where you are going.

Do not wander around on the Internet looking for help –

When looking for help, start only at legitimate web sites for your product.

One dot, one letter, a single space out of place can land you on the dark side.

• HP Support  HP World-Wide Support
• Store/HP.com  USA HP Sales and Customer Service

  Not your HP store? 

  Scroll to the bottom of the store website and click the Flag to change regions.

• HP products, start here in the HP Community or at the HP Website
• Microsoft / Windows - start at Microsoft Web Site 
• Printer Software - 123.hp.com - Printer setup from the HP® Official site
• Help with Instant Ink - HP Instant Ink Support - Website 
• Combined Printer, Support, and Ink Subscription Service -  HP All-In Plan - Printer / Ink / Support
• Out-of-Warranty > Paid Subscription or One Time Help: -  HP SmartFriend Services | HP® Official Site
  • Open the SmartFriend Data Sheet - Contact Information 
  • Scroll down to section “Service by Region” and check the contact options in your region / location.

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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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References / Resources

HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources

Learn about your Printer - Solve Problems

“Things that are your printer”

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

NOTE: Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories: Warranty Check, Alerts, Troubleshooting, Ink & Paper, HP Software & Drivers / Firmware Updates, Setup & User Guides, Product Specifications, Account & Registration, Warranty & Repair

Open 

 Product Home - Printers

 Enter the device type and model name of your HP product

OR

HP ENVY 6455e All-in-One Printer  

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

Real people who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You for the help !

Question / Concern Answered, Click my Post "Accept as Solution"

[wincarey37]

Thank you for all your helpful suggestions for the future. Although you mention the only way to contact HP is to go through HP World-Wide Support. How is contacted HP was hp.com/support/envy6400e through the QR code scanner. Through that I got hooked up with Max from Support Edited. Is this HP support?

[Banlix]

maybe all your computers or laptops should be connected to nextdns or controlled, so that you are not easily directed to dangerous sites.

For nextdns, they have software for configuration on your laptop or computer or can configure using yogadns pro software. Also, do not easily provide anything related to your HP laptop account, such as e-mail and telephone number.

Reinstall your windows again and replace your ssd, it will break the connection with the crackers.

[Banlix]

qr-code that is usually on HP products, whether it is a laptop or printer, which website does it actually lead to?
is there a possibility that the qr-code attached there can be faked?

[SusanBizz]

I know I was scammed. That’s why I posted.

HP has a problem that this is occurring so frequently. I clicked on a chat icon that was on an HP website. I was misdirected to somebody else so now I don’t trust HP support.