Scammed or do HP tech support up sell?

[GeeDee75]

Elderly family member had issues printing. Contacted HP on  [Edited]  - guy fixed it, but only temporarily but then sold them a lifetime anti virus and a 3 year warranty package invoiced from some firm in the US. Is the number a legitimate number - I've checked the phone and it is what they dialled.  Do HP upsell to a third party. Not really sure what is going on here other than the family member has paid a lot of money and still not had a resolution. 

[Dragon-Fur]

@GeeDee75 

Welcome to the HP Community --

HP does not free-post support numbers on the Internet.

Unfortunately, it is all lies --

You were never in contact with HP.

It's common -- there are thousands of scam sites and it's easy to trip over one of them.

As long as you do not give out your bank information or let the scoundrels into your computer for a walk-about in your file system, the damage might be limited to having been made wiser the hard way.

If you did not come away unscathed,

• Contact your bank - Ask if they will help in spite of your authorizing the charges.
• Try to remove everything and anything the rats installed on your computer
• Scrub your computer with your own security software
• Report the incident to the authorities

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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What can our HP Community do?

            Request for Review

I've forwarded your concerns to our Moderators for review and possible next actions.

Should there be a response, the agent will leave a message here before using other methods to contact you.

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HP Service - Printer Setup

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

https://123.hp.com/

Beware of Fake Sites

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! 

Finally...

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HP Services and Contact Information

Online Case Submission to HP Support is available to those whose devices registered and are still in Warranty.

Some (Most) regions display phone / chat contact information only after the case is submitted online.

Not every issue is covered under the standard Hardware Warranty.  Purchased Care Pack Warranties differ by contract.

HP is not a "general" repair facility: Requests for out-of-warranty repairs are usually not accepted.

If the problem is hardware, if your device is in Warranty, if your device is Registered, and you cannot submit your case to Support, let us know and we will forward a request.

Important

Never post private information in the HP Community!

Thieves are waiting - do not hand over your privacy to their keeping.

HP Support does not free-post phone numbers for HP Support on the Internet.

Your computer is not full of bugs and you do not need to pay a fee for driver support.

You do not need Firewall protection.

Never allow strangers access to your computer, tablet, or phone.

Pay attention to where you are going.

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  HP World-Wide Support
•  Store/HP.com USA HP Sales and Customer Service

Not your HP store? 

Scroll to the bottom of the store website and click the Flag to change regions.

• 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
• Combined Printer, Support, and Ink Subscription Service -  HP All-In Plan - Printer / Ink / Support
• Help with Instant Ink - HP Instant Ink Support - Website 
• Out-of-Warranty > Paid Subscription or One Time Help: -  HP SmartFriend Services | HP® Official Site
  • Open the SmartFriend Data Sheet - Contact Information 
  • Scroll down to section “Service by Region” and check the contact options in your region / location.

Do not be a victim.

Stay vigilant.

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"

[GeeDee75]

Thanks for the response. That number is posted in numerous posts in this community as well for people with thousands of comments and kudos and supposedly HP employees - is this community full of scammers?  Family members are in contact with the bank.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@GeeDee75 

You are welcome.

Presumably, no, the Community is not "full of scammers".

Community Policy dictates that phone numbers are not posted in the Community.

It is true that on occasion a bad actor creeps through the barriers -- they are supposed to be stopped and their dirt removed.  ?

I've sent your comments to our Moderators.

Thanks for not posting links to "bad posts" -- doing so just adds to the problem.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

Real people who own, use, and support HP devices.

[jkburton]

Today  I had a very upsetting thing happen to me. I called HP's actual customer service number and they gave me hpinstantink.com to get help with my instant ink plan.  The bot asked me some questions and then sent me this:  

"Thank you! A technician has been assigned to your case, and your ticket number is Edited. Paul Walker, a CompTIA A+ Certified Technician, will call you shortly. If you do not receive a call, you can reach him directly at Edited. Please keep your phone handy for the call."   Since I was on the HP website - it never worried me and I did get a call from "Paul Walker" who sounded like he was from India (he was he said but working in Braden Florida) .  He had me download software that allowed him to go onto my computer assuring me I could "pull the plug anytime" - At first he was clearly only looking up my subscription, etc.  And the next thing I knew he had accessed my IP address with my internet provider - he had begun scrolling through my files -- and he had shown and told me that my computer had been compromised and I have no firewall protection, etc. to which he offered to clean up my drivers, etc.  I became nervous and told him I would take care of this with my local IT help -- and he tried to tell me that they will only clean up my computer and not help solve the bigger situation.   I declined and then asked help delete the applications that he had used to do a remote access.   BUT since he had gone on and now had my IP address I had to shut down my internet modem and keep it this way until the IP is updated again (which can take up to 3 days).  I feel so violated plus I have been completely inconvenienced for my work, etc.  HOW can HP endorse this type of upsell or is it a scam to violate my privacy, etc.  What is going on here? Am I now in danger for my security and privacy.  Do I need to change all my passwords, etc?