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The FTC is mailing partial refunds to about 37,000 people who bought unnecessary tech support products and services from Inbound Call Experts, also known as Advanced Tech Support. People are eligible for refunds if they bought the company’s products and services between April 2012 and November 2014, and filed a refund claim with the FTC before October 27, 2017.

According to the FTC, the company’s telemarketers tricked thousands of people into buying unnecessary products and services by pretending there was something wrong with their computers. As part of a settlement with the FTC, the company paid $10 million, which the FTC is using for refunds.

The FTC refund checks will come by postal mail. You never have to pay to get a refund from the FTC. If someone contacts you and asks you to pay, it’s a scam. Please report that at FTC.gov/complaint.

For more information about FTC’s refund programs, visit ftc.gov/refunds.

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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

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ThankfulPete
March 22, 2018
I’m not used to getting unexpected money from Uncle Sam. When I heard of this I figured I’d get a doll e and the attorneys would get the rest. This is my government working for me.
Nimilara
June 07, 2018
Scam Scam Scam. I purchased some services from this 786-749-5129 company number online. They charged 499$ for support and services and provided me this toll free number 786-749-5129 to get services but whenever i call on this number 786-749-5129 no one answer me. Eventually they scammed me. I will Suggest you protect itself to become a scam by this number 786-749-5129. This is full time scam company number 786-749-5129. I want my refund.
scammed me
March 22, 2018
In also have been a victim. Said my computer was compromised. 1st time had me get I-tunes cards to pay them. Most recent scam was saying they owed me a refund. In supposedly trying to put money back into my account, wrong amount showed up. Wanted me to buy Target gift cards to pay them back. I said I would, but, but immediately went to my bank. Turns out they had transferred the money from my savings, and made it look like I owed them. Bank locked my on-line account, shut my checking account and issued a new one. They keep calling many times, so I blocked their number on my land-line and mobile. Lost a few thousand and should have known better.
FTC Staff
March 23, 2018

In reply to by scammed me

You can help law enforcement by reporting this to the FTC at FTC.gov/Complaint. The information you give goes into a secure database that law enforcement uses for investigations. The comments you put here on the blog don’t go into the law enforcement database.

CU
March 23, 2018
They got to my computer and made it look like the drained all of my accounts. I used another phone and called my bank . Had them block all accounts and take them off line. Long story short, they original $799. but nothing from accounts! Changed all accounts afterwards.
emma
June 07, 2018
I fell victim to same scam on the 12 Mar, Can someone Please tell me how to go about my refund from the FTC ? I LOST 1500, I NEED step by step directions in how to seek recovery, Please anyone ?
FTC Staff
May 07, 2018

In reply to by emma

You are not eligible for this refund.

People are eligible for refunds if they bought the company’s products and services between April 2012 and November 2014, and filed a refund claim with the FTC before October 27, 2017.

You can report what happened to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint.

ALgirl
March 23, 2018
I got my check yesterday. Thank you! I have a sick pet that will be at the vet's office until at least Monday (today is Fri.), at which point I'll find out if he has to have surgery. This $$ will help.
M.Shoaib
March 24, 2018
I bcame a victim of this scammer & user of fraudulant tactics, VA TECH WORLD,1-800-695-6708, on 2/12/2018, claiming that they are are associated with Microsoft as repair technician. These are all Indian people with American names. I lost $500 and the technician with the Indian accent (Sam) who said he will remove all virus from my computer and install Apple securityjust did the scam and nothing else.
apk10112
March 26, 2018
how would I know for sure that I will be getting a refund
slappy1961
April 12, 2018

I recently received a refund cheque from the FTC in regards to the Advanced Tech Support scam. What I am wondering is, Is the this refund in US dollars or made out in AU dollars automatically, because I am in Australia? It doesn't say on it which it is.

FTC Staff
April 12, 2018

In reply to by slappy1961

Your refund from a US government agency is made out in US dollars.

Not happy
April 13, 2018
I received a cheque for partial refund from the FTC, after being scammed by Advanced Tech Support. I live in Australia, and am unable to cash a foreign cheque. Even if I could cash it, there is a time limit on it, so I will not get any benefit from the refund.
FTC Staff
April 16, 2018

In reply to by Not happy

Your bank should be able to cash a check in US dollars but it might charge a fee for the currency exchange. You can call the refund administrator to ask about the time limit on cashing the check. Call Analytics Consulting, LLC toll free at 877-793-0908.

franklin1
April 24, 2018
I never get money
The ar trying …
April 25, 2018
Just got the call today, woman's voice, recorded message and was not able to write down the number to return the call. Figured it was a scam, but just wanted to report it.
Justmom
May 02, 2018
I paid HP support* that's who they claimed to be anyway when a flashing window popped up. I just bought my laptop in 2016 and now I am getting calls about getting a refund and I don't know what to do. Should I call them or is it another scam. I already paid like 160$. Only reason i paid was cause i was in the middle of a timed final and needed my pc
FTC Staff
May 07, 2018

In reply to by Justmom

If you paid for tech support services that were a scam, you might get scam calls about a "refund." The scammer might say he will give a refund and he asks for your bank or credit card account number, or asks for access to your bank account to make a deposit. But instead of putting money in your account, the scammer takes money from your account. 

Boost busted m…
June 07, 2018

I filed a complaint in sept of 2017 about calling boost mobile due to problems with my phone they transfered me to , they said Microsoft. But then had me call back from a differnt line at another number . Then had me go get itune cards said was only a depoist for their services since I did not have credit card . I filed complaint sent pictures of everything & phone numbers . My computer crashed next day & have not heard anything in rewuards to this can you please tell me what to do next , please

jlynnk
June 07, 2018

How can I find out if I was supposed to get a refund check? I received an email from FTC which had the claim form, along with a claim # and a PIN. I completed the form on the day I received it. Thanks for your help.

FTC Staff
June 07, 2018

In reply to by jlynnk

Please contact the company that is handling refunds. That is
Analytics Consulting, LLC at 877-793-0908.

Shel Leader
June 26, 2018
The scam is still going strong. Received a voice mail from (888) 653-6219. The caller said I was entitled to a refund from Microsoft because they had to shut down a service for which I paid $299.99. They refused to send a check, but wanted me to fill out a form. They would not e-mail the form. They wanted access to my computer to load the form.
Taz
January 14, 2020

In reply to by Shel Leader

I just received a call like that a few minutes ago. Said I get refunded $299.
Fedup
June 27, 2018
What about company's called Geektech or Gurutech? Is it just this company?
Fedup
June 27, 2018
I got a call from 888-241-1364. Voice recording went so fast I couldn't get the phone # to call. Should have let my answering machine take it. I don't know if I can get a refund. I paid about $400.00 to GeekSupport. Last payment was in 2013 for 2 year service
Carolyn05
July 05, 2018
I just received a call about a refund from Microsoft. They wanted me to fill in a form with my bank account, birthdate, last 4 numbers of so, I refused. They say i'm to receive 300.00, which makes sense since I paid at least that much. , I assume this was a scam.
1missy
August 15, 2018

In reply to by Carolyn05

I got the same call today and paid and was told the same thing
Beware!
July 07, 2018
Just received a call about receiving a refund of $299 from an Indian man. He tried to guide me to a website on my computer. My question is: How did he get my number? I just called Apple care for help relating with my computer two days ago?!? I asked if the man if this was a scam and he said,”what is a scam? “ that’s when I knew something was fishy and googled “computer refund scams” . I’ve given access to other AppleCare techs to my computer...now I’m never doing that again!
Scam Premium t…
July 12, 2018
Pop up pulled up on my Mac saying I had viruses. Long story short they messed up my computer and hustled me $800. Banks could care less. Dispute it though and make sure to wipe your computer clear.
dcw
July 18, 2018
looks like scam call to get your financial data. no identification, spoofed number.
Genesis1
July 23, 2018
I had a message on my answer machine today, July 23, 2018, from 1-877-874-3174 stating I was entitled to a refund from Microsoft Tech for services because company had been shut down.
Don't use your…
July 24, 2018
This scam continues no matter how many times it’s reported.
Sophia
July 26, 2018
I received a call from the phone # 805-703-2219. They indicated that they wanted to refund me $299. However, 1st I needed to go onto their site. However, my computer froze on me so I wasn't able to go on the requested site. If I qualified for any refund, I would think someone just send me a check. I have been checking my accounts to make sure no one is taking money. Perhaps, I was saved by my computer freezing on me. B
Dont.Fall.for.It
August 10, 2018
as earlier comments noted: "The scam is still going strong. Received a voice mail from (888) 653-6219. The caller said I was entitled to a refund from Microsoft because they had to shut down a service"... but had a different '888' # to call JUST*****DONT FALL FOR IT***** If you didn't call them, HANG UP - and stay safe Sadly, we all must be VERY suspicious of all "cold calls"
johnny two sho…
August 10, 2018
i got those calls saying i would get a refund of $299.99 tried to contact microsoft about it but could not find out who to talk to. i never remember paying for any program for that amount of money.just waNTED TO ALERT MICROSOFT ABOUT SCAM.
Handyman
August 15, 2018
We received a call from 888-274-2915 telling me I was due a refund because the company that I paid for tech support went out of business and they wanted access to my computer..I was part way through it until they mentioned going into my bank account for them to add the refund to my account. When I shut off the computer in the middle of this the man started having an attitude and asked me why I turned my computer off and got really nasty. They called back and I didn't answer. They still continue to call. When you call back the 888 number above it goes to a fast busy signal then you get a call from another number that's different and they tell you that "we see you called and didn't get to the phone in time" then start telling you about receiving a refund. My fiance immediately went into our computer and removed where they had made themselves the "user" and deleted everything. We haven't had any trouble with our computer or bank account since this happened but we still receive calls from them about a refund but we don't answer. Why we believed him is because we did pay for tech support and apparently they are out of business but the amount we paid was $338, not $299.99 like they said my refund would be. We also had a code number that our original tech support had given us that we weren't to trust anyone who didn't know the number but these people said they didn't need to know that because the company was out of business. During my conversation with this man I could hear in the background another man telling them they were scammers and asking them if they tell their families what they do...lol..not good on their part to allow another caller to be heard, especially one who points out they are scammers. Then after talking to the first man they put you on the line with another man who is called a banker and he starts to go into your bank account because he's controlling your computer...that's when we shut it off and made them angry. They always have so many different, untraceable numbers..that's the way scammers work.
1missy
August 15, 2018
I received a call claiming Microsoft was closing one of their online computer offices. The person sounded foreign and told me I would get $399 back. I hung up fearing it was a scam. Is this a scam.
davis s
August 18, 2018
I didn't purchase anything and always hung up on them. These calls never stopped, as they are still calling here in Canada. It is now August 2018 and I just received a recorded phone message telling me about the refund for services I didn't purchase and is almost a year past the date you can reply for a refund. Seriously?!?!
JSmalley
September 05, 2018
I just got off the phone from the two guys from India (who had a Beverly Hills phone number) who were going to help me get the refund they scammed me out of. This time they wanted me to give them my ID and password for my bank account so they could credit my account for the $304.00 they took from me. How can I get my legitimate refund?
aj
September 19, 2018
I just received a phone call from someone saying that they have a $299 refund for me through Microsoft for this error. I asked them to just send me a check and the man said they are only doing these refunds by wire transfer. RED FLAG!!! I told him I would not be providing my bank information and that it was a scam and hung up. Is there a way to check to see if I truly should be getting a refund. I can't remember if I filled out the paperwork or not last year!
FTC Staff
September 19, 2018

In reply to by aj

For more information about FTC’s refund programs, visit ftc.gov/refunds.

Learner & Rook…
September 25, 2018
My Story, I got referred by Google to another company to retrieve old info, and got charged $199. Later, I got a call telling me supposedly that the referral company went out of business and was going to get "refund" for the $199 fees I paid. I suspected it was a scam, so I told the caller to just mail the check. I refused to give them any information, since I believe they had all the information they needed to refund my $199, including my credit card info. The caller said they had to refund to a credit card, and they needed my authorization. I told them they had my authorization. I just would not give them information they already had. I hanged up. The callers keep calling .... sometimes from different phone numbers, and even from "unidentified" numbers. I don't pick up or respond. I now believe that these SCAMMERS may have secretly joined Google or work for affiliated Google companies to collect and use customer information to scam innocent customers. ALL customer service company employees must be investigated and monitored at ALL TIMES. Please be careful and share this story.
Bolinda
September 26, 2018
I never got the form. Where can I get it?
Wendy
October 02, 2018
I was scammed by a company called Computer Geeks, LLC. They told me they were refunding me $300.00 because i had overpaid them about a year ago when I let them work on a virus on my computer. Well, I was watching what they were doing while in access to my computer, and they were buying I tunes and gift cards from Walmart. I asked him what was he doing and he cancelled the order. But then he transferred my savings account into my checking account and withdrew $300.00 from my account and electronically sent it to a man named Carl Asal in India! They sent me an email showing the transaction of my own money being transferred from U.S. Currency to INR. I asked him what he was doing as we were on the phone silll. He laughed and said transferring your money! So he just stole $300.00 from me. Then hung up! I wasn't able to stop the wire transfer. I did have to cancel all my accounts at Wal-Mart and my bank! I have a while new account and even went to the sheriff's office and filed a complaint. Sadly my bank will not be able to give me the money that was stolen saying it is because I have the guy access to my computer. So I am out $300.00 to these thieves but you can bet I will never be that gullible again and not trust people. It's sad that they got away stealing from innocent people. Computer Geeks, LOC need shut down and atrested!
noname
October 10, 2018
the last time i tried to comment on here my microsoft was in the process of being hacked when i found out i did place a complaint however Im curious, which company would you like me to re-complain about? Pc Health, Tech Coach, Log me in rescue actually being used secondary to several software "cleaners" stop sign aka eacceleration was a real joke, lets get to the big one Kaspersky ah yes I do have that data saved and made a copy of it. Moving backwards Dell system protect pop up hmm perhaps a part of pc health pc pro not sure I dont see a 2012 Dell Ultrabook wanting to look like a texas instrument but hey ya know you heard this from me in 2014 oh and again and again and again... whats my tally up to ? Start reading the report !
Missy805
October 12, 2018
Oct 2018, still receiving scam calls from 518-329-9053 (NY #) regarding Microsoft refund dept closing and to call back to a different # for getting a refund. Both hone and cell #s have received these messages several times. There needs to be a way to stop the robot calls.
nyleve
October 25, 2018
I have gotten five calls in the last two days from five different numbers, telling me my computer is infected. I realized right away it was a scam so I started playing games, like telling them I had no computer. It is FUN, first, they get really befuddled and don't know what to say, one lady even told me I must be lying as everyone has a computer, so I needed to "fix" mine. Once I told a lady I only use my iPhone, she actually offered to "fix" the microsoft programs in my phone...okaaaaay, good luck with that one. I told another I did not have any bank accounts, I only used cash. She told me they could probably use a cash card from Target or Walmart. Today I received a call from one, followed immediately with another from the same area code on a different phone of mine. I have a very distinct voice, and the new number she called is only one digit off from the previous one she had called. When she heard my "Hello", she actually said, "who's this?" I asked whom she was calling and she hung up. If you think they are spamming try having some fun with them. It is better than getting caught up paying for something to them, and the time you are playing games gives you time to realize it IS a scam call. If it is a "real" call, they will call you back, or you can ask for whatever they want to be sent in writing. If they are real, they do likely have your address. If not, he who get the last laugh wins.
Skwow
October 26, 2018
I'm glad I came home from work early because I found my wife in the middle of falling for the latest version of this scam. They say they were ordered to issue refunds and must have access to you computer to do so. She already gave them access and they were in the process when I intervened. I had to force shut down my computer and told them if there really was a refund, why couldn't they just mail it? All he could do was rant because I shut it down. Now I still can't convince my wife that this was nothing but a low-life scammer. I had to disconnect the phone line because they kept calling back over and over. I also can't block the number because it only shows as "Unavailable 90031". I hate these people with a burning rage!
Babydogs3
October 30, 2018
I've been receiving calls from American Geeks, regarding a refund. If I'm due for a refund what should I do to acquire the refunded amount. Sylvia
Ran1
November 01, 2018
I purchased from Advanced TECH Service. How do you go about getting the refund? Just got the call again today. 11/1/18. They don't quit. They been calling me like every week for over a month. I block there calls but they have new #'s all the time!
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