Complaint Review: 24/7 Trend Micro Support - Internet Internet

Very, very similar to Bill from Madison's experience in Ripoff Report: #1006320 I have been scammed. I too had to cancel my credit card. I got suckered for $228 in total, $129 for the "fix" and an additional $99 to load Kaspersky with unlimited Technical Support. In my case, I had problems with Trend Micro shutting off the firewall. While loading new software, I was instructed to turn off the firewall - an instruction I had seen before. When I went to do that I discovered that my firewall was down already and had been down for who knows how long? Using Google as I do 99% of the time, I typed in "trend micro technical support" and found what looked to be a ligitimate website within the top part of the first page of the google search. The website I got directed to was like Bill's except instead of instead of macfee.xxxxxxxx I followed trendmicro.instantechsupport.com.

I ended up calling a 800 number I found on the website. A "fine, helpful fellow" with an Indian accent recorded my problem description and handed me off to a second guy by the name of "Daniel" also with an Indian accent. After much anxiety for me he convinced me to allow him to remote access into my machine as this was the only way for a MIcrosoft certified technician to fix the problem. I know, I know, STUPID, right! "Daniel" told me to go to a website that actually gave him access to my computer via the Internet. He told me that many registries were corrupted and that the system would have to be cleaned and that the Trend Micro Security software that I got with my computer was an entry level version which would not protect my computer.

The whole time he kept saying the only technicians who can really fix my problems are Microsoft technicians. After showing me that many processes had stopped and that would explain why my printer quit before printing a complete document. "Daniel" tried to pitch me several packages of support, instant, 1 time help for $129, 1 yr for $199 & 2 yr for $249. Pissed that I had been shortchanged by Trend Micro which gave me no indication that the firewall was down to begin with (again for who-knows-how-long!) which resulted in corrupted registries in the first place I got talked into reinstalling security software and chose Kaspersky instead. After "cleaning" my computer he then removed my "substandard" version of Trend Micro. "Daniel" offered to reinstall Trend Micro but I declined. Instead he offered me security software from a number of companies. A bit confused I was told that as a 3rd party, subcontract support group they supported many software companies but cautioned me away from WebRoot as that was not a mainstream security software selection. After my paying an additional $99 more with the assurance of 24/7 unlimited technical support for 1 year he down-loaded Kaspersky Pure 3.0. In irritation with Trend Micro's performance I chose Kaspersky because at least I'd used it before, been happy with it, and at least my computer's security status was visible on my desk top. Once loaded the icon looked legitimate.

When all this was done "Daniel" thoughtfully used notepad to record the 1-800-676-8695 which was to be my lifeline should I experience "any software, printer, e-mail or internet issues after our session - for 1 full year". The information was complete with an "activation key code", an "order number" and this statement - "The charge on your credit card will appear by the name 'DRI syssentry or System Tune up'. Possibly like Bill - syssentry was now at work in my computer as my new firewall! Strangely enough when the charges came through 2 days later, there were "no details" next to the ripoff transaction in my bank statement.

So, DRI or 24/7 or trendmicro.instantechsupport.com's "Microsoft certified" technician, representing Trend Micro and Kaspersky and MacAfee and others had ripped me off in the name of otherwise reputable companies. By the way for what it is worth, "Daniel" thought MacAfee was the best - that should be looked into further! I never asked for his India MS certification # or anything - but the credentials sure sounded good!

Over the weekend, I was having problems with my email freezing up and so did a similar search and came up with a 1-800 phone number which had the familiar 24/7 logo on the webpage. Having not recorded the first phone number during the previous session, I dialed 800-494-2301 which I found on the 24/7 webpage and an Indian guy by the name of "Jordan" answered and remoted in. Within seconds he announced that my system had been hacked in a voice that sounded much like that of "Daniel's". Jordan instructed me to call the first number to get my money back and he would stay on the phone while I did. Thinking I was talking to the same 24/7 outfit I was suspicious. He reminded me that I had called a different number - having not written it down and not trusting the number recorded by Daniel I was in no position ot argue but I was sure either Daniel was a scam or Jordan was a scam or the two (who sounded too much alike) were working together to scam me. I hung up with a "promise" to call him back and sought other technical help.

Like Bill, htey gained access to personal data on my machine and I now have to worry even more about identity theft. Obviously I was wrong to allow these guys to access my machine, looks like I may not be the first. Another fine example of how corrupt this world has become. Hopefully the time I put into this account will save someone else from this ordeal and maybe help others more knowledgable than I to stop "Daniel" and "Jordan" from their 24/7 scamming.