Scammed by QBS Consulting

[Sosazzu]

I know how to install printers to a laptop.  Our laptop was stolen so had to get a new one and needed to connect to my Brother Printer.  No matter what I did...install...uninstall...update driver...etc...hours spend doing this and then I went to YOUR Brother help and was called by a so called technician who I gave remote access to so he could help with issue.  He proceeded to show me how my computer was infected with all sorts of malware, spyware...and called it the Clampi Virus that has infected all of our devices.  Looked real to the unknowing eye.  Said the service was FREE but I had to pay $270 to install software to protect from Malware and spyware.  I said I have Norton Services and he said that doesn't protect your computer from this kind of virus.  I felt like I was being scammed but since our computer and IPAD were stolen I was nervous that someone could access our information even though I had changed all the passwords and contacted all of our financial institutions.  Then they said I should add a 1-3 year additional coverage.  At that point I was no.  Felt in my gut that I was just scammed.  Hung out and proceeded to look up this bogus company QBS Consulting LLC and saw that they did the same thing,  I brought my computer to a local computer repair and they stated that they actually installed MALWARE and SPYWARE and remote access to our computer.  Had I logged into any of our financial institutions they would have gained access.  So I paid $337 to have all of this removed . 

WHY IS YOUR BROTHER OR HP HAVE THIS NUMBER AS HELP SUPPORT????

[NonSequitur777]

@Sosazzu,

Welcome to our HP Community forum!

It is incredibly frustrating and scary to go through an experience like that, especially after the stress of having your original devices stolen. You are absolutely right to trust your gut —this was a textbook tech support scam, and unfortunately, these criminals are becoming very skilled at hiding in plain sight.

Firstly, it is important to clarify that HP and Brother have no affiliation with "QBS Consulting LLC" or these scam artists whatsoever. Here is how they likely tricked you and what you should do next:

How they appeared to be "Official Support":

Scammers don't usually hack the official HP or Brother websites. Instead, they use "Search Engine Poisoning". They pay for ads on Google or Bing so that when you search for "Brother Printer Support", their fake website and phone number appear at the very top of the list, often looking more "official" than the actual manufacturer's site.

Common "Scare Tactics" used on you:

• The "Clampi Virus": This is a real (but very old) piece of malware that scammers name-drop to sound technical. They often show you standard computer logs (like the Event Viewer) and claim that normal system "errors" are actually viruses.
• Remote Access: Legitimate companies such as HP or Brother will almost never ask for remote access to install a basic printer driver.
• The Fees: Support for setting up a new printer is always free from the manufacturer. Any request for $200–$400 for "security software" is a definitive red flag.

Crucial Next Steps for You:

1. Monitor Your Identity: Since your laptop and iPad were stolen and these scammers had remote access, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports through Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion.
2. Dispute the Charges: Contact your bank or credit card company immediately to dispute the $270 payment. Tell them it was a "Technical Support Scam", and they may be able to reverse the charge.
3. Use Only Official Sites: In the future, never ever search for support on Google. Type the address directly into your browser:
   • HP: ://hp.com
   • Brother: ://brother.com

It sounds like your local repair shop did the right thing by cleaning the machine. Moving forward, stick to the built-in Windows Defender or your Norton subscription —they are more than enough to keep you safe without paying "consultants" extra fees.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777