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Forum Discussion
CRLchris
Nov 15, 2024Tutor
$200 charge? I was told to pay it to get additional support. Did I get scammed?
My router locked me out this morning. All my devices are connected, I just can't get in yet to add new ones. I have a call scheduled with a senior technician for Monday afternoon to reset the network and fix it.
But while I was on with the first level support the technician told me I needed to pay for "additional security", I asked him what that meant and he said that unless I paid for the additional security my network would be an "open network and at risk" and that part of the reason I couldn't access the router is because I didn't have it. He said I needed it to get transferred to the level 2 technician.
I asked him why this $300 router needed additional security and he told me that normally when you purchase it a retail store you are told that this will be a charge, but not from Amazon. But I asked him again why it needed
additional security he told me that same thing. I needed to talk to the second level support.
So I pay it and the receipt comes and it isn't from Netgear, It is addressed to Rinku Sharma.
I verified I used the Netgear website phone number, but did I get scammed? Can anyone tell me what this charge was actually for? Was it Netgear Armor?Because the app shows I still have to pay that.
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total scam. Start a charge back.
There's a ton of these that pop on google that look legit but aren't.
We can probably help you with your issue on here for free. We'd need a few more details.
1. what router do you have?
2. what firmware is on it?
3. what modem/gateway is it connected to?
4. A little more description of the issue/error you're getting is helpful. Screenshots of the error can help too
- CRLchrisTutor
I was so desperate for help I didn't question it. I'm an idiot. Ok, I've contacted PayPal to see if I can at least get the payment stopped. Worse, they had me download a security tool that gave them access to my computer. I've deleted it now, but I wonder if they got my banking information or something worse.
1) I have an R500 that I purchased 2 weeks ago
2) I upgraded it to the latest firmware as soon as I installed it, about a week ago, but I can't get into the router at the address 192.168.1.1 to tell you. At this point I cannot login to the router or get a new device on it
3) Its connected to a last generation Spectrum modem
4) I was trying to add an Alexa Dot to the router this morning and the network password would not work. I tried getting in to 192.168.1.1 to rest the password, but my password for the router would not work. I tried inputing the serial number and them my security questions, but the webpage said they were incorrect.
I am trying to upload photos for you, but the page doesn't accept them. When I click on the Photo icon I am able to upload the photos and label them but I don't see a way to submit them to be link to this posting.
It was the that I called and got scammed. I cannot believe I was so careless.
R500 isn't a model. Is it the RS500? Its a pretty solid router.
Factory reset it and use the nighthawk app to reinstall it.
Or you can install from the GUI. Keep in mind, the IP address isn't always the 192.168.1.1
What spectrum modem?
How many devices do you have connected? The RS500 should handle pretty much anything. Its a great router.
In terms of giving access, put an alert on your credit. I never let anyone else remote into my PC just as a fact of life. A good way to loose stuff. Run a few scans and just watch your PC. Worse case scenario, you can always reset it if you're concerned. Or try restoring to an earlier session.
CRLchris wrote:
But while I was on with the first level support the technician told me I needed to pay for "additional security".
That's the big giveaway. As plemans says, total scam.
For future reference:
How do I identify an official NETGEAR website or social media account? - NETGEAR Support
Just another user with time on their hands.