Scam

[MoeWoe]

I was scammed yesterday through by connections with Hike Care, INC.  I have done business with Hike for almost 2 years to get my HP printer to work with my Mini Mac.  They have done everything correctly and had my computers running well.   In October I had an issue and a "firewall" with security upgrades were added.   

Yesterday, I received a call from a worker that I identified as "content removed".  He said there was a security breach from my computer and we needed to upgrade the firewall / security to a higher level.   This was convenient as banks were closed yesterday.  "content removed" turned me over to "content removed" to do more "intense" work on my two computers.  "content removed" stated that there was "Porn"  being streamed from our site.  He requested gift cards from Apple or Nordstroms, and my husband went to pick it up them up to pay for a more secure firewall.  The "content removed" said that there was child porn on the computer & we would need to change up to even a higher level of security.  

Now I was getting the "gut feeling" that things were not on the up & up.  So we did not go get another round of money for the very last "fix".   "content removed" became very irate with both of us and said he was going to deposit money back into our account.  It is now 24 hours and that money has still not shown up in our account.  

Beware out there and for this company that hires scammers.  

[Dragon-Fur]

@MoeWoe 

Welcome to the HP Community Forum.

I am sorry you were caught in the net of deceit. 

You are not the only one to which this has happened.

I understand "other people" do not matter when it's "you" who is in trouble.

HP will NEVER cold-call customers and tell them "Hey, this is Ted, your friendly tech - It looks like you need help!"

Not ever.

HP does not demand access to your private information, does not threaten you, does not tell you your computer is full of malware or porn, and certainly does not take gift cards.

No legitimate company demands you go to the store, go to your bank, or go online to get gift cards.

Threats, demands for gift cards, and scare tactics are the hallmarks of a typical scammer operation.

Lesson learned, I guess.

No, do not expect the thief to return your money.

Report the fraud to the authorities, of course.

If you let the thief into your computer, assume all / any information might be tracked, compromised, looked at, stolen.

Change all passwords to anything, everything.

Call your bank - admit what happened - ask if there is anything they can do to help.

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

Document includes links to USA and Canadian authorities to report the incident.

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[Repairatrooper]

Anyone who asks for a gift card for payment is a scammer. Completely untraceable and easy to foist off onto someone else. Bank payments leave a trail that can be followed.