PW

Ten days ago I turned on my computer (I have paid-for AVG) and it simply had lots of cascading “warning” triangles pinging down the screen, and an “event window” showing critical and urgent messages. Nothing would make it respond. I was going to replace it (I had all my data saved). A few days later I was rung by QuickResolve because I had apparently sent a Microsoft Support Request and they were responding. Originally they confirmed that they were Microsoft, but then they were an official “Microsoft Partner” – which they aren’t.

They had all my details. Reader, I believed them, and no-one would describe me as stupid. Basically I paid for lifetime support for 5 computers (because being on the same router they would all have the problem). Yes, yes – I let them remotely have my computer. I did, I did. They ran defrag (which I can do), disc cleanup (which I can do), and the Malwarebytes scan utility (which is apparently free). It took 4 hours! Actually, it was awesome to watch the chap doing it. It had only cost the same as a new computer, so there was no risk. That evening I had a stomach lurch – what if they had infected it in the first place? I believe they must have done. We have cut up our bank cards, and I have had the computer scanned for bugs – and yes, some were found, particularly alarming were the website re-directions. This cost me a further £60. They keep ringing me. In the last conversation they did agree to refund £100 to make it 3 years’ support only, but I don’t hold my breath. Next time they ring I am going to be brave enough to tell them they are scammers and put the phone down. I now have an all-singing computer, but they still have my name, address, phone number and email address and I find this very uncomfortable.

Pip Williamson

I don’t expect to recoup the money,