In late January or early February, I purchased Bulwark Anti Malware and anit-virus protection. An icon appeared on my laptop as Bulwark Anti Malware, life- time, version 2.74.0.150. It came through on my credit card as two separate purchases billed from TC tech guru for $249.99 and Tech Mantra $149.99. Periodically a tech would call and ask to access to my laptop to check for malfunctions when I would assure him all was working all right. At one time he even sent a picture of a Russian(supposedly) who was pinging my computer. I refused to allow him access. Then today he called and said their company was having to shut down due to customer complaints that their product was not up-to-date. In order for me to receive a refund he would need access to my laptop to remove the program, need the name of my bank in order to assure that the funds had been refunded! I argued for several minutes that in no way would I check my account while he was on my computer removing programs. I'm not understanding exactly what is happening but am assuming that I have been defrauded $399.98.
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While checking my email and Facebook online, a big notice popped up on screen with a woman's voice saying it was Microsoft and that I had malware and spyware that could be damaging to my computer and it showed a number to call to fix it. I couldn't click out of the page or go back to what I had been doing. Since I believed it was certainly from Microsoft I dialed the 888 number on the screen and connected with a guy with a short foreign name and a foreign accent. He knew about the Microsoft alert and went onto explain why my computer needed to be cleaned up and my IP address, location and data needed to be protected. I was told to hang on the line as he scanned my computer. It took about 30 minutes. He said not to worry, he would take care of everything. He said he detected 3540 malware threats and removed them. Asked how old my computer was. He also said his tech service would cost me $299.99 and I'd never have to worry. The charge covered his fixing my computer, 1 yr. of tech support, and life time security.
There would be no need to buy any other security. I was given a customer ID and a toll free number to call (1-888-898-7342) if I ever get a new computer and they would transfer the security over to the new one. He had another guy with an accent for credit card info to charge me the $299.99 while he started on fixing my computer. They also tried to sell me anti-ransomware for $159.99, which I agreed to purchase.
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A flashing box appeared with an alert warning supposedly from Microsoft telling me that my computer had become infected with a virus and I should call the displayed 800# immediately to prevent further damage to my computer. In the past, I have seen this flashing box, but was able to run a short scan with my antivirus program and the box would disappear. This time, I could not even reach my desktop. My computer was totally locked so I called the number. They showed me phone screens that indicated that every program on my computer was Stopped. They immediately began to 'Fix' it. After a while, I asked if it was going to cost me. They said yes, it would cost $139.99 for a year of protection or $149.99 for lifetime protection. I elected to purchase lifetime protection. I gave them a credit card. Before the purchase could go through, I consulted with a friend who told me I was being scammed. I proceeded to cancel the card. Now they continue to text me and call regarding the payment.