Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2018 August 9

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August 9

update GPS and google unique security code

I got a new GPS today and I wanted to update it. The device showed up as D: but when I used Firefox 61.0.2 to go to the update website, it didn't see the GPS device. I called support and they took over my computer and looked at some things. They said that security was missing (which it isn't). They said that I needed to go to the store and buy a Google unique security code for $50 or $100. This sounded suspicious to me, so I ended the call.

Could this be a scam? Right now I have a scan running.

(Now I went to the website on Chrome and it works.) Bubba73 ^{You talkin' to me?} 23:56, 9 August 2018 (UTC)

Where did you get the customer service number that you called? If you didn't get it from the packaging materials that came with your product or from the company's official web site, but just googled for it, it's quite likely it's a scam. Scammers set up fake customer support numbers for a variety of products and get them to appear in search results. When you call it, the result is pretty much exactly what you described, they ask to take remote control of your computer and/or try to convince you to pay them for some kind of support. More info here CodeTalker (talk) 17:27, 10 August 2018 (UTC)

I got it googling the GPS company's name - I'm pretty sure it was this. It came up top or near the top. First I did online chat to tell about the problem and they had a technician call me in about 1 minute. They wanted me to get the "Google unique security code" with a Google Play card. Likely they would have wanted me to give them the card number. Of course, I ended the call. My scans finished and reported no problems. Bubba73 ^{You talkin' to me?} 01:59, 13 August 2018 (UTC)

Sorry to hear you had these problems. I'm still worried by you saying, "They took over my computer and looked at some things". There might be some residual issues. StrayBolt (talk) 03:12, 11 August 2018 (UTC)

I haven't seen any problems and the scans didn't find anything. Bubba73 ^{You talkin' to me?} 01:59, 13 August 2018 (UTC)

Do you not have a record of the number that you called on the phone you used? Nil Einne (talk) 10:31, 11 August 2018 (UTC)

I did chat on their website and they asked me for my name and phone number, and a person called me. Bubba73 ^{You talkin' to me?} 01:59, 13 August 2018 (UTC)

It might have been one of the ones in this warning. I didn't SEE them get any personal information. They wanted me to go to the store and buy a Google Play card to get a Google Unique Security Code. Bubba73 ^{You talkin' to me?} 02:14, 13 August 2018 (UTC)

I think from the details you've provided is quite likely you visited a scam site and it was them that called you. I agree with StrayBolt that there is a risk that they may have done something to your computer and it would be wise to get someone to look in to it. Most likely they were just after the Google Play card, such tricks are very common although most of the time it's iTunes cards that I hear about. But you never know if they put some kind of keylogger or remote access tool. Note that the security scans are not perfect and especially not if the software was installed basically by the end user. Nil Einne (talk) 07:28, 14 August 2018 (UTC)

Would those show up Control Panel as installed software? I already checked that that and didn't find anything. I also checked for add-ons in my browser - none. Bubba73 ^{You talkin' to me?} 04:58, 15 August 2018 (UTC)