Possible Scam

["Wagar, Hannah Lee" <wa...@msu.edu>]

Hello,


I downloaded Open Office on my Macbook Pro a couple years ago. I was on the phone with a tech support guy who helped me complete the download, then he had me download a program that was supposed to "clean up" my computer, and rid it of viruses etc. In the past year I've received 2-3 unlisted no caller ID calls from a man (seemingly from India or another foreign country to me) asking me about this download and telling me to call a toll free number. I'm concerned that I've been scammed, and have read a forum from 2011 about possible credit card fraud using Apache Open Office's name. I would really appreciate it if someone could help me with this issue, as I am concerned about my privacy when using Open Office or even making online purchases.

Thank you,


Hannah

RE: Possible Scam

["Dennis E. Hamilton" <de...@acm.org>]

The "tech support guy" would not have been anyone representing the Apache OpenOffice project.  It sounds like the "clean up" program may have been malware of some form.  That is a common ploy to convince users that they need to install what is in fact unnecessary and unwanted software.  How did you locate and communicate with that person?

You need to find a way to have that software removed from your machine.  I recommend getting advice at an Apple store.  If you have concerns that the copy of OpenOffice that you installed is also not legitimate, you can have that removed also (or uninstall it yourself), and then download and install one via <http://www.openoffice.org>.  Check that you obtain one that works on the version of OS X on your Macbook Pro.

Note that Apple, Microsoft and others do not "cold call" users, and those who pass themselves off as some sort of support don't know if you really have a computer, that it has problems, etc.  It could be that scammers have you listed as a Macbook user by virtue of the original call and/or the clean-up program being installed.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: James Knott [mailto:james.knott@rogers.com]
> Sent: Saturday, July 30, 2016 18:41
> To: users@openoffice.apache.org; wagarhan@msu.edu
> Subject: Re: Possible Scam
> 
> On 07/30/2016 05:20 PM, Wagar, Hannah Lee wrote:
> > Hello,
> >
> >
> > I downloaded Open Office on my Macbook Pro a couple years ago. I was
> on the phone with a tech support guy who helped me complete the
> download, then he had me download a program that was supposed to "clean
> up" my computer, and rid it of viruses etc. In the past year I've
> received 2-3 unlisted no caller ID calls from a man (seemingly from
> India or another foreign country to me) asking me about this download
> and telling me to call a toll free number. I'm concerned that I've been
> scammed, and have read a forum from 2011 about possible credit card
> fraud using Apache Open Office's name. I would really appreciate it if
> someone could help me with this issue, as I am concerned about my
> privacy when using Open Office or even making online purchases.
> >
> >
> 
> Where did you download from?  You should only download from
> www.openoffice.org.  Also, to my knowledge, OO does not offer support,
> though 3rd parties do.  BTW, you posted on a mail list for users of
> OpenOffice.  We're just users, like you.
> 
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Re: Possible Scam

[James Knott <ja...@rogers.com>]

On 07/30/2016 05:20 PM, Wagar, Hannah Lee wrote:
> Hello,
>
>
> I downloaded Open Office on my Macbook Pro a couple years ago. I was on the phone with a tech support guy who helped me complete the download, then he had me download a program that was supposed to "clean up" my computer, and rid it of viruses etc. In the past year I've received 2-3 unlisted no caller ID calls from a man (seemingly from India or another foreign country to me) asking me about this download and telling me to call a toll free number. I'm concerned that I've been scammed, and have read a forum from 2011 about possible credit card fraud using Apache Open Office's name. I would really appreciate it if someone could help me with this issue, as I am concerned about my privacy when using Open Office or even making online purchases.
>
>

Where did you download from?  You should only download from
www.openoffice.org.  Also, to my knowledge, OO does not offer support,
though 3rd parties do.  BTW, you posted on a mail list for users of
OpenOffice.  We're just users, like you.

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Re: (SCL > 3): Possible Scam

[Robert Funnell <ro...@mcgill.ca>]

On Sat, 30 Jul 2016, Wagar, Hannah Lee wrote:

> Hello,
>
>
> I downloaded Open Office on my Macbook Pro a couple years ago. I was on the phone with a tech support guy who helped me complete the download, then he had me download a program that was supposed to "clean up" my computer, and rid it of viruses etc. In the past year I've received 2-3 unlisted no caller ID calls from a man (seemingly from India or another foreign country to me) asking me about this download and telling me to call a toll free number. I'm concerned that I've been scammed, and have read a forum from 2011 about possible credit card fraud using Apache Open Office's name. I would really appreciate it if someone could help me with this issue, as I am concerned about my privacy when using Open Office or even making online purchases.
>
> Thank you,
>
>
> Hannah

I don't know what you should do about your credit card. You should 
probably download a new copy of OpenOffice directly from 
http://www.openoffice.org/. You could ask here if you have problems 
installing it. You might want to consider having somebody local that 
you trust check your computer for viruses and other nasty stuff.  And 
presumably you don't want to call any dubious toll-free numbers.


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