Windows 10: HELP! Have I just been scammed??

Last night I got an alarm that said "Windows Immediate Action Alert & Alarm" complete with warning sounds. It said I needed to call 877.242.8595 immediately to work through this issue. My computer was acting up all day, screen turning milky white, freezing up, I couldn't get much done.

Long story short, after 2.5 hours of them working inside my computer, I paid $210 for 5 years of Norton and 1 yr of tech support from them. Today, I'm having second thoughts but the computer does work nicely.

American Express (which they didn't want to take but I insisted) said they seem to be legitimate according to PCWorld.
The name of the company is WebWareWorld, Inc. 8800 167th Place, Orland Hills, Ill. 60847

Has anyone ever had this happen? Should I shut my life down and start over from scratch? New credit cards? New bank cards? New passwords?

Why doesn't Microsoft step in to help people?

:)

 

I have been burning CDs for years just recently they will play on my computer not on my CD players. I added another Windows 10 account and CDs plays on my CD player.

Corrupt profiles: they happen.

(Although this is the first I have heard of them affecting this particular component.)

 

I have been burning CDs for years just recently they will play on my computer not on my CD players. I added another Windows 10 account and CDs plays on my CD player.

I have used Windows Media Player, Any Video Converter, CD Burner XP and WinX Video to burn the DVD/CDs, I use VLC media player. When I BURN DVD/CD they will play on my computer they will not play on my MP3/CD players. This has started 2 weeks ago.
I have windows 10. I burn more CDs then DVD. When I burn a CD I use wav or wma format. I have replaced the DVD/CD Opticsl Drive with no change. Could it be caused by windows 10 update?

Andre Da Costa replied on February 20, 2018

MVP

• Community Moderator

Article Author

Try removing the recent update since this happened:
Press Windows key + R Type: appwiz.cpl
Hit Enter Click View installed updates
See if KB4074588, KB4056892, KB4077675 KB4058258 is installed or not.
If it is, right click it then uninstall each. Try burning another disc again.
If the problem perists, try burning at a lower speed, use a different brand CD.

Best, Andre Windows Insider MVP
MVP-Windows and Devices for IT



I did this with no help.



I took some old CDs that play on my CD players and I open them up. They only have files. All the CDs that I burned that will not play on my CD players have files and a FOLDER.

I added another Windows10 account and CDs plays on my
CD player. It works in the NEW ACCOUNT. It will not work in the account I set up when I installing when Windows

 

Hi DeeC and welcome to Tenforums.

That's not a good story.

Want a chance to scam a scammer? Call 877-242-8595 or 800-239-0148 - YouTube

Please read this post:
Solved Scammers Exploit Windows 10 Upgrade Rollout-What You Need to Know - Windows 10 Forums

If they've been in your computer, you can assume they had/have access to everything.

EDIT: Please run an ESET Online Scan to see if there are any nasties left in your system from them.

 

Easy rule of thumb: Whenever they want money or access to your computer, hang up.

 

Contact American Express and get help from them. And this is not a MS problem to solve. You have to take the bull by the horns and contact the credit card company.. NOW!

 

Excellent piece of advice, should be carved in the stone. Hang up when they ask money or access to your PC.

 

It sounds from the description in the OP that some malware got into his PC and that's how he got the message to call that number. Just a bad situation and calling the credit card company is the only thing he can do to attempt to block the payment and get a new number issued to him.

 

Bunny, that is certainly good advice. But he should not have gotten into this tight spot in the first place. Therefore my rule - malware or not. There are always procedures to get rid of the malware.

 

I totally agree and that's the reason I'm so happy I have a great shop in town. If all else fails I take my PC there and let them fix any issues I can't.

 

How exactly would you expect Microsoft to step in an help? You fell for the oldest tech scam in the book, so i can understand being angry and even embarrassed, but Microsoft is not to blame for this, nor are they responsible for stopping you.

I will never understand the rationale behind giving out financial information and allowing access to your computer to complete strangers, rather than asking help of someone you trust.

 

I doubt that there are situations that you cannot handle yourself. And then there is still this forum that can help. I never asked anybody to bail me out.

 

No need to restart your life. Yes, whatever card you gave them needs to be changed right away, and your bank contacted about the incident. New passwords: yes for your computer login. Change that, remove malware, and try to prevent any remote access. Steps to take: this free program can scan for malware if you run it: Malwarebytes | Free Anti-Malware & Internet Security Software, or you can use a built-in app called Defender already on your computer, though it might not catch everything.

Also, this:
Type cmd into your start search, RIGHT-click it, and click Run as administrator.

type sfc /scannow, and this will fix some issues your computer may face.

 

OS and software issues I deal with myself. As for hardware I tend to take it to the shop. With my anxiety and neurological issues I can't do any hardware work anymore.

 

I understand. I have somewhat the same situation. In my case it is my weak eyes that cannot be improved with glasses (macular degeneration)