Sales pitch from technician

[RowenLittleBear]

I had an issue with my printer.  Contacted HP.  I think the problem was corrected, but the technician tried to sell me Cisco Firewall protection for almost $3,000.  Was this a scam?  I'm concerned because they had remote access to  my laptop and my printer.  Anyone else experience this?

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@RowenLittleBear 

Welcome to the HP English Community --

Unfortunately - Yes - Scam.

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I'm sorry this happened to you.

HP Support does not post contact numbers on the Internet.

Scammers are like fleas -- they are everywhere.

If you found the number of the Internet --

If you visited any not-HP website and connected to "Chat" --

If a nice man called you on the phone and said, "Trust us - we can help - call us back" --

At the least they are NOT HP.

At the worst, thieves of this type will gladly steal your private information, promise to do good and then do evil, sell you software you do not need and cannot trust --

AND

If you fully cooperate and allow the thieves to infiltrate your computer, consider that any information on the computer not protected by encryption might have been compromised: personal files, pictures, documents.

The problems from one one click to the dark side can cost you upwards of thousands of dollars.

Happens. Every .Single. Day.

If you got away clean - good job.

If not,

• Call your bank, "close the barn door",  reverse charges.
  
• Change your passwords.
• Uninstall any software you purchased.
• Check your computer for bugs, malware, viruses, and monitoring software.
• If you let someone into your computer and they had access to your files, warn your friends about breaches, shared information, and other problems.

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Advice --

Do not wander around on the Internet looking for help –

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

HP Support – Hardware / Technical Support for Devices in Warranty

Registered Devices in Warranty:

Contact HP Support

Start here:

 HP Support virtual repair center

Printers

 Contact HP Support – Printer Support

HP Support  HP World-Wide Support

In-Warranty Products – Case submission for Warranty Repair

Select your region and follow the prompts

HP Support - Regional Links

 USA / Canada >   HP® Customer Support - USA

 UK >  HP® Customer Support - UK

 ---------------------------------------------------

AND

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 

Do not be a victim.

Stay vigilant.

=== --- === --- === --- === --- ===

Beware of Fake Sites

The "Real Deal"

123.hp.com - Printer setup from the HP® Official site

https://123.hp.com/

Be very careful when out on the Internet looking for help - one little dot, space, or letter out of place can land you in trouble.

The official HP 123 site is where you can find the appropriate (and free) software and drivers for your printer.

There are many “fake” sites listed (in search engines) for “123” – please make sure you are using the actual “HP” site.

If you are asked for money to correct "issues" on your printer or computer OR if the “help” wants to sell you software, threatens you, or wants access to your computer, you are using a “fake” site. Do not give these people your information! 

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

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"

[RowenLittleBear]

I went through the chat function on what I thought was an official HP website.  The technician on chat said they needed to transfer me to another technician and asked for my phone number.  When they called it came up "**bleep** Call."  I was told I had a Trojan csrss.exe that needed to be removed and my network cleaned up.  He said I did not have any firewall protection and offered for me to buy a Cisco internet firewall protection plan.  The standard plan started at $799 and there were 3 levels with the top level being "lifetime protection" at $2999.99.   He wanted a check to HP for the amount as he said with a check you don't pay sales tax.  I felt uncomfortable when he asked for a check and was pushing the lifetime option, so I declined and he hung up. 

[Dragon-Fur]

@RowenLittleBear 

Sure - that scenario is quite typical.

Many people fall for this type of trick.

HP and other legitimate companies work hard to squash these types of scams --

It's a constant behind-the-scenes war.

There are "scummy and evil but not quite illegal" sites.

There are cases outright website hijacking and worse.

HP and other legitimate companies work hard to squash the vermin.

Vermin come back.

Cycle continues.

Whether slaves and forced into a life of crime or willing participants, the scoundrels are clever and sneaky.

They will say whatever it takes to convince you of your imminent peril.

Need to set up your printer?

Sure...

"Your computer is full of bugs" --

"Your network is full of bugs" --

WE can help you  >> You must provide us your private information and a credit card.

and

WE can help you >> You  must give us access to your computer.

and

WE can help you >> You must purchase our / this software and / or a service contract!

Good that you did not spend the money -

Not great that they had access to your computer.

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"

[NinaTr1]

Yes, I did.  The HP person tried to sell me something for 69.99, he had control of my printer, phone and computer.  I think he handed me off to someone else and then they were scrolling in everything.  My info is now on the dark web.  Tried to get about $30,000 from my accounts and credit cards.  They even opened a few new store cards.  Thank God they were unsuccessful but know I still can't use my printer.  The printer has some codes that, I need a user name and password to and I do not have them and can not get in to  do a factory reset.  Any Ideas how to fix this?