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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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We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

Notavictim
November 29, 2018
The scammers are active for the Holiday season. Last week we received a call about our "Cloud" being hacked. However, we don't have any cloud storage, so it is obviously a scam, and did not respond. My Mom received a recorded call to her answering machine yesterday (11/28/18) asking her to call 1-844-8868577 for more details regarding a refund due to the computer support company being ordered to close. The voice on the recording is a very mechanical-sounding female voice. This was obviously a scam, since my Mom does not own a computer, laptop, or smart phone. With all of the money that Microsoft and Apple make, why doesn't the FTC make them send annual notices to all the owners. like the credit card companies do, telling owners how the Tech companies will contact them if there is a problem, as well as the official steps to take with them. It shouldn't be buried in the on-line agreement that can be difficult to get to in an emergency!
Jalexan798
December 10, 2018
I received a call from this number this morning stating that I must fill out a form they obtain a $399 refund for Microsoft Security support but the person never told me the name of the product lol.... be careful and don’t be a victim of the scam. Phone number: 1-518-329-9057
Nat*
December 17, 2018
I received a call today in regards to the same as above asking for a routing number and such, Saying they were "Globe Insurance" for my Refund for computer repair of $300+??? I hung up quickly. But I have the number and they called right back. She was not a native English speaking woman. Thought I should report this. If I have some refund coming from somewhere if they have my phone # then they have an address to send it to. That I'm pretty sure of. The number attached to this call was as follows; 1-833-224-3222
D-D
December 21, 2018
These people, John and Christine, have been calling me non-stop for months. I told them to send me a check. They said that they could not but would have to fill out a form and do direct deposit. I refused so they hung up on me. I did not know that I could fill out a complaint form. Can I still do that? Can you send a form or direct me to where I can find it? Thank you.
Jane Dohe
January 11, 2019
I was an Advanced Tech Support customer. How do I get a refund check now?
FTC Staff
February 05, 2019

In reply to by Jane Dohe

In March 2018, the FTC mailed partial refunds to about 37,000 people who bought unnecessary tech support products and services from Inbound Call Experts, which was also known as Advanced Tech Support.

People were 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.

The refund checks were already mailed. The FTC is not accepting any new claims.

jzkole
January 24, 2019
Ok what about now though? They just did this to my aunt not even three months ago and they still call threatening to blow the computer up. What about her money?
tda95901
February 05, 2019
I am recieving calls about a refund except I never paid anything to recieve a refund. 19176365194 is the number they called from stating your company is being shut down and wants to send a refund to me . I let the voicemail get these calls because there are too many scammers out there.
AnonymousConsumer
January 30, 2019
As a rule of thumb, never call any number that pops up on your screen, and install at least a free antivirus software on your phone, desktop computer, laptop, any any other communications device that allows antivirus installation. Please also never reply to suspicious emails. Let businesses like this one review it for you, and let them decide if it's legitimate. If you are part of a company or business and it makes it into your work email, ask your technical department about it. Never open the emails or attachments in them if you are unsure. If an email or pop up appears asking you to call and the message states it is a legitimate business such as Microsoft, simply google the correct number for Microsoft and call them directly and ask if they've sent you an email. More than likely, they haven't. I hope this helps at least 1 person.
Rrrttt
February 15, 2019
I was a computer tech , so when tech support called I played dumb. I got them to hang up om me! : )
tami
March 11, 2019
I received a call today from a tec support refund department . They said they seen where i had received support in the past. I did receive their support which in turn locked my computer up. I had to take it to a repair place and have it fixed $188.00 plus the 299.00 tec fee . They had my name and address. I received this call from 888-414-2430. I really would have appreciated the refund . They wanted me to turn on my computer so they could mail my form. I told the man that i wasn't turning my computer on . I request him to send the form in the mail and he hung up on me.
tallred
March 18, 2019
Same thing happened to me that happened to most of you with screen locked with red warning, claiming to be Microsoft. This was in August of 2017. Didn't know all this was going on until I started to get phone calls about messages. Also getting calls from unknown numbers and when I Google the number, turns out it's Geeks America. Didn't get a refund or an email about it.
Rileyb
March 27, 2019
Get computers money back
mimkern@
June 18, 2019
For the refund do they have to have access to your computer? I am getting calls to refund me money but they want to access my PC.
FTC Staff
June 18, 2019

In reply to by mimkern@

In 2018, the FTC sent refund checks to people who bought unnecessary tech support products and services from Inbound Call Experts, also known as Advanced Tech Support. The people who got checks did not give the FTC access to their computers.

If someone calls and wants access to your computer, it could be a scam. He may try to get access to your accounts or passwords. He may want to trick you into buying extra products or computer services.

sebas4t Don't …
May 04, 2019
STILL calling! multiple calls, through out April 2019, call out of Chicago Illinois, # 1-312-667-9490. VM states "micro soft refund dept for computer support services...time is running out to claim your refund."
concerned senior
June 18, 2019
just got a call from "Microsoft" to give me a refund, $299. wanted me to open www. showmypc. to let them remove the software I purchased almost 2 years ago, and access to files. I don't recall spending 299 on July 29 2017 but I didn't open it up and let them have access. I am sure it is a scam.
no sucker
May 10, 2019
They called me, spoke broken English. The man told me I was getting a refund, but couldn't offer me any information on when I paid this money I would be refunded. He said it was for $299. I asked him his telephone number. He gave me this number 1-501-594-0797. It all seemed shady, and he was being bossy. Watch out!
sradershocker
May 15, 2019
I just got contacted bywww.refundpolicy.com saying I paid for tech support and getting a refund. Scam right?
Philip Roddy Jr.
May 20, 2019
I started to get the calls today about a Microsoft refund and telling me to call a 1 888 number.
Vframp
May 21, 2019
I got a call about a refund of $399.00 I don’t know if it is a scam they were telling me to log on my computer and go to this page that says download what should I do to get my refund I was worried about if I’d a scam said Microsoft was going out of business and the protection products I purchased is being refunded
DumbBarb
May 22, 2019
Advanced Tech Support scammed me about 14 mo ago... The email address I had, no longer works... they continue to call even when I say they are scammers. Today, I got a message about getting a refund, but I think it’s a scam... I do not answer but get repeat messages. I’d like to do something to stop them!
Burdy
May 25, 2019
I do not remember word for word,your pc's antivirus defender has been compremised ...,to get a refund... I got shook up ,cause I had got a message the day before,while on ebay, windows 10 ? repair ,I quickly got off,same with phone,but the phone message was still going and for some reason their is no phone app on my phone,now I am trying to figure out how to get it back ,after I charge it!
Wally W.Don't …
June 07, 2019
They must call 5-7 times a day stating they are trying to give back the 699.00 we paid. We did not pay for computer support and I would like to figure out how to stop the calls. The Feds do no good nor does the state consumer group.
Barry RDon't u…
June 16, 2019
I received a call from Geek Source witch I purchase $367 worth of software support from they were a scam I also lost $5,000 to them based on their recommendations. The Geek Source is still calling please look into the Geek Source as a scam.
Foodiediva
June 18, 2019
I just received a private number call yesterday evening after 6 pm est the guy had my name asked me what computer am i using i asked who is this he said some name and computer company name i cant remember i asked why do you want to know i said why are you calling me i dont need or want computer services i never gave him any info and he threatened to shut down my computer and i said no you are not stop calling me i hung up and put a block on any private caller ids on my phone. I had just found some downloads on my computer from April that i never created and i deleted them i think i will go and check for more to delete. I previously about 2+ yrs ago asked for help on my computer for something not working was charged about $59.00 and they wanted a monthly payment after the one time fix i changed my bank acct number so they could not continue to charge me because i didnt need monthly service and they tried to make it hard for me to not have a contract. I kept getting popups which i ignored and calls for payments for nothing i blocked and ignored and i know this had to be a scam from foreigners they had accent in speech like India abusing Americans.
stillscammable
September 21, 2019
automated call being made from american geek claiming going out of business referring to Norton security asking to fill a form and be transferred to billing for a $499 using phone number 2064152661 these people need to be investigated.
Kaycyn
September 24, 2019
Just received a call from a man with a foreign accent(I am not profiling), only making a description of the caller and call for this complaint purpose. He told me that I had made a payment for Windows services 2 years ago. He asked me if I remembered making that payment. I hung up immediately. In all actuality I couldn’t tell you if I sought this service or not but I don’t think I did. I did hang up and block the number. The number was based out of Chicago, Illinois, 1-(312)-667-9952. Is this a scam call?
margot 2019
September 24, 2019
got a refund call on my Microsoft charge of $699, from phone #855-890-4780, said I would call THEM back, gave me 202-516-1349 to call. Have not done that.
dajielle
October 01, 2019
Anyone know how to get my computer off of locked? They accessed it and then locked it because I wouldn’t send them money
Scr83
October 21, 2019
Me too got scared said I owed 399 dollars for windows security or I could cancel and get refunded the 399 how I get my money back
Don't use your…
October 22, 2019
To late for me they got $1,500.00
McD
November 18, 2019
Tech Fix, LLC wants me to call them about returning the money I paid them but say I must be in front of a computer to enter some keys before they can refund the money
ANTONINA CAL
February 20, 2020
I have received numerous calls from various locations in United States, New York, California, Illinois, & Michigan, from SUPPORT FIRST, and have hung up on all of them. These are "robolike". When anyone can't explain their business and why they're calling, I don't involve myself.
brenda jones
March 02, 2021

In reply to by ANTONINA CAL

i was smammed ,but just today ;;SAM::,a techical support called me from talking to me about my laptop ..The conversation was on Feb 2 2021,anyways he said he had a dispute with Cap One Credit card about thenmoney I apparently owed him,so he wanted me to call them and explain it so he would get his money,,,apparently at this time my boyfiend called Cap one and reported it stolen because he had this amt of $280 charged on it,and had no idea who did that,but I have access to his card ,so I used it,and he didnt know til next AM,so today.this SAM guy calls and sounds almost afraid,,,Thn I called cap one and sid he wanted them to email him saying it was alright ,that it was entirely my fault,which it was ,,the way i did it,but ,anyways I just called Cap one and talked to the fraud dept,,,,,,,they are investing it,kbut said they can probably help us ,but not him with this money problem he is having,beacuse it was all a scam and will be looking into it right away
Elvira Black
March 19, 2021
Enzodesk is calling me about a refund for support last year because they were hacked. Is this true or a scam
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