Is this a scam?

[T_May]

Not sure if this is the best place to ask this question, but it’s where I’ve ended up. 

I have an old (out of warranty) HP Envy 4522 printer, WiFi connected so open to the internet.  It printed out the following…

Congratulations!

Your printer is now web-conncted and has its own email address.

Email files to your printer to print from anywhere at anytime.

Your printer email address:

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx@hpeprint.com

Go to hpconnected.com and create an account.

Then enter your printers claim code to manage your printer.

Your printer claim code:

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Obviously its not xxxxxxxxxxxxxx, but you get the picture.  There is a little more on the page including a copyright notice for 2016.

All I want to know is “is this real”?  It looks like a scam.

Anyone from HP reading this, how about being able to type “Is this a scam” into a search box and getting to an answer instead of getting the run around?

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@T_May 

Welcome to the HP Community.

It's fine - the Claim code print-out is a notice that your printer's email address has been enabled for ePrint.

ePrint includes a bunch of rules about its use, including, for example:

• Web Services (enabled AND running) is necessary to use ePrint
• There are limitations in how a job is structured so it can be sent directly to the printer

That said, ePrint enables you to email a properly configured print job directly to your printer - this can be convenient when your printer is in one location and you are in a different (remote) location. 

Using ePrint is optional, of course.

If you do not wish to use ePrint, simply leave that long, convoluted "xxxxx" address as named.

Optionally, switch OFF Web Services.

User Guide

Read Chapter 5 - Use Web Services - Starting on Page 26

HP Smart / HP Connected Login

Click Flag to switch to your region

Additional Information

Setting Up and Using HP ePrint

HP Smart / HP Connected > Troubleshooting > HP Printers - HP ePrint Job Does Not Print

Step 2: Check the email and print job requirements

HP Printer Support Home Page - References and Resources – Learn about your Printer  - Solve Problems

 “Things that are your printer”

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories:  Alerts, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, Manuals > User Guides, Product Information (Specifications), more

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

HP ENVY 4522 All-in-One Printer 

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

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

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

Click Helpful = Yes to say Thank You.

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[T_May]

Dragon-Fur

Thank you for the info…

…however, why would HP send out something that looks (to a possibly over suspicious user) like a scam?  Not fair to ask you, but perhaps somebody at HP could give this a little thought.  Don’t they know what the environment is like at the bottom of the food chain?

[Dragon-Fur]

@T_May 

You are welcome.

True - it is not always easy to tell what is a scam and what is OK.

It is always good to be cautious and to ask when you are not sure of the source.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

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

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

Click Helpful = Yes to say Thank You.

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"