#computer scam

Here’s what you do:

1. Do Not Panic. The voice may be loud and frightening.  If you can’t turn down your volume, unplug your speakers.  Nothing has blown up.  Nothing is gone.  You also do not have a virus.

2. Try to close the window. You may not see an X or a dismiss button to click on, or it may not work.  Again, do not panic.

3. Unplug your computer.  If you try shutting it down with the power button it may only go to sleep and restart into the same place.  Unplug the baby (or take out the battery if you have a portable).  The only exception to this is if the computer is updating its operating system.  If it is, let that finish first then kill it’s power source.  Let it sit and regain your composure.  Then replug and reboot.  Is the window there or no?

4. If the message is there on restart:  see if you can press the following keys all at once: 

for Windows   control+alt+delete 

for Mac  Command+Option+Esc

This should bring up a window where you can select programs that are running and terminate them.  Terminate all programs.  Likely the window is now gone.

5. If the window is gone on restart: try opening your web browser.  If you’re using Chrome it will ask you if you want to restore your last session.  Say no.  Chances are good the window is gone.  If it doesn’t ask or the same image pops up again, try another browser (if you use Explorer, try Firefox for example).  If the window stays gone this ad has hijacked your browser.  Again, DO NOT PANIC. Go here:

https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/kb20100811171926EN_EndUserProfile_en_us

6. Whatever you do DO NOT CALL THE NUMBER THEY GIVE YOU.  You will be redirected to a salesperson who will try to get you to download some desktop control software, then inform you that you do have viruses (they may use the term “worm” or something else to try and scare you), and will tell you the names of the items.  At that point they will offer to help you IF you pay them 500 to 1000 dollars for a three year “warrantee”.

The company they represent is MyTechBay.

7. IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS BEEN SCAMMED again, do not panic.  If you or they placed the call within the last 30 days there is a fix to get your money back.

Call their support number : 1-888-287-1902

Have this page on their site (the site itself is safe): https://mytechbay.com/mytechbay-refund-policy

or if you don’t feel safe with this, keep this text handy (as it’s in the middle of the page).  Keep the url handy so you can read it to them as well.

We offer 30 Money Back Guarantee on almost every product we offer. Please call customer service at 1-855-358-6597, in advance to register your Refund Request within 30 days of purchase date." All refunds will be provided as a credit to the credit card used at the time of purchase within five (5) business days upon receipt of the Refund Request. 

You will reach a human.

Tell them you were sold the agreement under fraudulent means.  Tell them of the pop up ad.  They will deny they have such ads.  Tell them the sales person convinced you you had a virus even though the system is clean to start with.  Relay any goofy tech-sounding stuff they may have told you that in retrospect is incorrect. (My mother was told that her computer “got the virus in sleep mode” because virus’ can creep onto sleeping systems even if you’re not doing anything.  This is of course balderdash.) They will tell you all calls are monitored in an attempt to calm you down or intimidate you (note they do not state this at the start of the call as they legally should). Say that’s fine and repeat your mantra. Inform them you would like you money refunded under the 30 day policy.  They will try to refute this, using all sorts of excuses.  They may even ask where on their own site it says you can get a refund.  Quote them the url and statement listed here.  End each statement you make with “...and I would like my money refunded please under the 30 day refund policy.”

Or don’t say please.  I was mad and had my mother on the phone with us at the time.  

Do not give up and repeatedly ask for your money back according to the policy.  They will eventually give you your money back in the form of crediting your charge card.  They will give you a reference number.  Write it down.  They quoted me 5-7 business days for the credit to show.

This may take time to show up on your credit card however as it depends on where in your billing cycle you are, so call your card company after 7 days to be sure.