#support scam

Windows Tech Support Scams: Why You Should Just Hang Up

Scammers are everywhere, but in recent years they’ve found a new angle: exploiting ignorance about computer viruses. The Microsoft Windows tech support scam catches people out every single day. Some people take it upon themselves to waste the scammers’ time, or even antagonize them. In truth, neither is a good idea.

Here’s why it would be better if you just hang up.

The Microsoft Tech Support…

Bask Bulletin: An alleged tech support scam operation was temporarily shut down by a federal court. The group used online pop-up ads that told people their computers were hacked, infected or having significant performance problems. If a user opened the ad, it hijacked her browser and she couldn’t close or navigate around the ad.

Phony computer techs shut down | Consumer Information

Several days ago, I had to fix a client’s PC after a supposed call from HP support concerning a Windows error appearing at HP headquarters. As a note, this is the start of a scammer’s cold call. The scammer’s charge was roughly $300 to remove the malware/spyware/viruses that took the shape of faked errors. Unfortunately, the client paid the fee only to receive more errors, no resolution. When I…

Blue Microphones, they do not deserve your money.

A couple weeks ago, one of the voice actors I work with had to send his Blue Yeti back for repair. Upon transport though, the box got damaged. It didn’t take very long before the microphone was sent back. Blue Microphone stated the warranty had been voided because of the damaged box. This is where the shit storm begins. Dane, a friend of mine contacts Blue and asks them what to do. He was the one to actually purchase the microphone in the first place! The technician on the line refuses to give any help and keeps on repeating our friend Jesse, the victim here, needs to contact them.

SO, we contact Jesse, make him call the company, and you guessed, nothing moved. Falling behind on projects, we decide to purchase a brand spanking new Yeti. They are the easiest to find and they ship really quickly. At this point we were already reluctant at buying a second one after these events but… We were short on time. Sadly, this is far from over, the new microphone comes in a couple days later and, you guessed it, it’s broken!

At this point, we haven’t sent back anything, Dane decides to contact Blue and figure out how to fix the problem. He basically asked “How to fix a Yeti which sounds like it’s at 100% gain when it’s set at 5%”. The support rep answered and I shit you not: “You must be using a custom built computer”. Dane then proceeded to explain how Jesse uses a regular computer bought from a store (such as Staples). At the mention of Jesse, the rep hung up on him.

Shortly after, Dane proceeds to send an email (please note I have also been in contact with blue on my side) to the manager I was speaking with. In which he basically explained how we bought a large amount of Blue products and recommended it all over the internet and he was disappointed in the service we received so far.

Two days later, the manager replies, explaining how they had found a “Threatening email” sent in September 2013. Here’s a copy of their answer, because it’s just THAT priceless: _________________________________________________

Hi Dane

I have told both and Jesse repeatedly, we are not at liberty to discuss any RMA with anyone beside the person who filed it.

As a more pressing matter, in researching these claims in our system, I was alarmed to find a threat that you sent to one of our support techs in September in the email below. We take language like this very seriously, and our legal department has contacted the authorities.  Our support and administrative teams have also been instructed to notify authorities should you make any further effort of communication with our company.

Thank you,

[Confidential] | Production & Operations Manager Blue Microphones 5706 Corsa Ave, Suite 102 Westlake Village, CA 91362

Direct: [Confidential] | Cell: [Confidential] [Confidential]@bluemic.com _________________________________________________

From: Dane Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2013 2:52 PM To: [Confidential] Subject: RE: Service Request

As I pointed out I made a mistake and found out after I bought it from amazon.ca

as for the rest in short, I don`t want junk and I`ve wasted too much money getting it and shipping it out to be fixed and or replaced when it should have been free and on top of that I bought like maybe 9 other yetis for people so that`s a lot of money spent the yeti and shock mount should now be under BlueMic.com as they have been sent back with in their life time

I did have 2 yetis but sold 1, first 1 was from bhphotovideo and 2nd one was from Staples and i`m not sure what one was what

So in a nutshell I just want a good microphone that works and accessories that should go with it or my money back

So if you can please help me, help you, help me, keep you alive, make me happy make you happy

as for the Blue Spark Digital I’m stuck with it and I would only get back $195 out of $226 ( free shipping and handling ) and apple.ca lied to me saying yes if for whatever the reason you don`t want it you can get all your money back

So far it seems like the first one was faulty or maybe it’s just the cord I don`t know that is all, if I’m to send it back to you I would like to do that soon before the weather gets bad

So basically, just because of a microphone issue, and a request for a replacement, Blue Microphone decided it was a good idea to look at past email, which was not even related to this support request, and misinterpret it as a death threat email.

They contacted the Police apparently, and all three of us were contacted by the authorities about it.