Did I get scammed? I called support and was unknowingly sold a refurbished printer

[maia2023]

In early November, I was having issues downloading a driver for my printer, which had stopped scanning. I called the following support number: 806-491-8090. I spoke to "Nathan," who had an accent from the African continent. He took me through a number of steps aimed at downloading a driver, but the item he had me download did not open properly. At this point, he offered to access my desktop remotely, which I allowed. He was able to get the printer printing again (so, not a scam?), but said the scan function was a hardware problem, and I would need a new printer, which he could send out. He named a model which I looked up on Amazon, and offered it to me for $100 less. I provided my credit card information accordingly. About a week later, I got concerned that no confirmation had arrived about the printer being shipped. I contacted HP with the Order No., which began with a "T." Agents at HP were quick to tell me that their order numbers always begin with "H." I got worried and called the call-back number provided by "Nathan." Another gentleman answered, and when I gave him the order number, he read off the printer model I had been promised, and told me it would arrive soon. About a week later, a printer did arrive. It is refurbished, and came unboxed (except the shipping container) with no instruction manual and no ink. The day it arrived, "Nathan" started calling me and saying my credit card had not gone through. I was pretty stern with him, because he had not disclosed that I was getting a refurbished printer, and after several calls, a transaction went through via PayPal, to a company called "rapid shipping." I am really confused and concerned. On the one hand, a printer did arrive, though until I get ink, I can't tell if it works. On the other hand, there is no sign that the people I spoke with are affiliated with HP, and they acquired remote access to my desktop.  Can anyone advise on whether this was a legitimate interaction with an HP affiliate? Thank you!

[Dragon-Fur]

@maia2023 

Welcome to the HP Community --

I am sorry this happened.

The whole thing sounds shady, in my opinion

Dragon Opinion

You should be concerned about having let someone you don't know into your computer.

What?

Just because the rascal did not behave as you expected does not mean it was OK.

Fixing the printer software and then telling you you need a new printer is sneaky -- and sounds evil.

Sadly, there are thousands of Scam sites and just as many scammers who will take advantage of a willing victim.

Worst case -- possible but not proven...

Consider anything in the computer not secured behind encryption to be compromised.

What?

This includes documents, pictures, even password access to your network router.

In a another scenario, the thief might add monitoring software to your computer.  This might be relatively benign and simply cause their website / contact to pop-up any time you look for help or something evil that is stealing information from your system when you connect the computer to the Internet.

Change every password for every website and every service.

Contact your Bank -- ask about options in light of having provided financial information to someone you don't know.

Contact PayPal -- not sure what services they offer, but they might be able to provide some help.

What else?

HP won't help -- dealing with whomever you contacted is not something HP can (or will) fix for you.

Maybe the printer will work -- maybe not -- "refurbished" is not, in and of itself, an indication that the printer is bad.

Talk to a friend, colleague, community leader, family member -- don't spin and worry and fall into despair.

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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