Description

My computer was hacked and completely taken over so that I had no control with flashing windows defender warnings and a number to call. Thinking that I had called Microsoft, it was instead the hackers that had gained access and control over my computer. They said that the hackers had not just taken over my computer; but that they had also corrupted my ip address. and no normal antivirus program would work. They directed me to waredot.com and when I said I would do my own research first, they stated that if I closed out the call on my computer the hackers would again take over, since I was currently being protected on their "network". I was shown sham websites and then after agreeing to purchase waredot.com was transferred there and billed $429. 95. Waredot did not download a software package or an app and did not actually scan the computer. They did install an extension and called it an ad blocker; which is probably malicious software. The technician then told me my computer was safe and that I had 24 hour service for a year. He did not indicate that I was also being put on an annual automatic renewal. He would not release my computer until I wrote a brief review for trust pilot; which I subsequently took down after realizing the scam. I later attempted to go to their website and was blocked. After closing out another adblocker on my computer, I was able to go to the website; which posted different prices than I was charged and indicated that their software was designed only for use on windows products. My system is IOS and further supports the fact that waredot.com is a sham company. There is no 24 hour service. Attempts to call their support number results in a an automated response, being put on hold and then being disconnected. I tried to contact them repeatedly during different times of day to no avail. I sent a request to cancel the subscription by their website mail system. There was no response. I logged in on my account and clicked on the cancel button and was directed to download the invoice; but there was no acknowledgement that the request was being processed. There were noticeable differences in the billing. The invoice indicated I had bought a TOTAL package; which is a couple hundred dollars less on their website and only for 1 computer. However, I was billed for the ULTIMATE (supposedly only package that included banking protection) and was good for 5 users in my household. Overall, the entire experience was confusing, frustrating and time consuming ; let alone experiencing feelings of being violated and helplessness; as well as a sense of embarrassment at actually falling for such a scam. Date of experience: September 11, 2024