Possible Security Issue with Netgear tech person EX7300

Question

Hi, I don't have an issue with the extender, but when i contacted tech support to help set up a second extender, the tech guy told me that my ISP wasn't secure and that I had a lot of other users connecting to my router probably trying to access my private data He said couldn't help me until my network was secure. He then tried to sell me a firewall service. When I questioned him about the details, he popped up a Google.doc sheet asking for my credit card information. It had no Netgear branding or mention at all. When I asked him about it and why a tech support person was selling a Netgear product, he said he was a private contractor to Netgear and had an engineer in Texas who would do the work for me for $249. I told him I would only give my CC info on an official Netgear secure sites and a dropped me. I was connected to this person from the Netgear support page chat function (human or not?). I've tried every way possible to get in touch with Netgear, but my ability to access their email etc. seems to have been blocked. I'm alo blocked on their chat service. This is the only forum where I can hopefully get the message to Netgear about this.

Has anyone else run into this issue?

Thanks!

plemans · Answer

Many times people google for netgear support chat/phone number. A lot of times people come up with scam sites. we see it frequently on here and it tends to go very similar to what you're describing. its a good thing you didn't give any info.

to actually talk to netgear support you click on "mynetgear" at the top, register an account and the device. From there you can contact support.

Keep in mind its only free for the first 90 days of purchase on new products. Its why there's the support community here.

KikiMorrill · Answer

Thanks for your response. &nbsp;I was connected directly to the tech person from the chat person on the Netgear site. Wouldn't that mean it was Netgear authorized?&nbsp;Thanks again for the advice

plemans · Answer

Not sure what "netgear tech site" it was.

Like I said, there's many scam/con sites out there. And they're good at making it look like their actually from netgear.

Netgear uses gearhead for their support. If it wasn't through them, I doubt it was netgear.

https://gearhead.netgear.com/

KikiMorrill · Answer

I don't want to be a PITA, but I guess I'm not very clear. &nbsp;The Chat function at www.netgear.com/support/ sent me to the tech person. &nbsp;I got to www.netgear.com/support/ from www.netgear.com, the URL on my extender documentation, not from a Google search or any other third party ref. &nbsp;The tech person told me he worked for a contractor that handles tech support for Netgear, Linksys and other router providers. &nbsp;Asking for my credit card info to sell me a non netgear product on an unsecure Google doc just doesn't seem right to me. &nbsp;I'm wondering if Netgear's contractors are freelancing for other service providers or if someone within the system is running a scam. &nbsp;It's just not the way a big and respected company does business. I cant get hold of anyone from Netgear and interestingly, the Netgear chat function (on www.netgear.com/support/) has blocked me. &nbsp;Can't access chat for anything now.&nbsp;&nbsp;Like I said, not the way a respected company acts, which makes me think something unauthorized as going on with Netgear's tech support contractor.&nbsp;Thanks for your patience.Kiki M.

plemans · Answer

None of netgear's support plans cost the price you listed. which again, makes me suspect you weren't on offical netgear support.&nbsp;

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Possible Security Issue with Netgear tech person EX7300

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