- Report: #1258907
Complaint Review: Avast - Internet
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Avast
Internet, USA
Phone:
1-888-502-3243
Web:
http://1-888-502-3243.com/avast.html
Categories:
Business Rating:
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Avast anti-viral scam Hicksville New York
In July of 2015, I purchased "Avast" anti-virus application. Then, several months later; starting around September of 2015, every time I wanted to go to various websites, I would get a pop-up that said Avast was blocking me from accessing it because the website did not have the correct "certificate". Today, I tried to access "Credit Sesame". This is a company that gives free credit scores. I have used Credit Sesame for over a year and have had no problems with it, but today, I only get the Avast pop-up saying that Avast was blocing me.
I went online and got a Customer Service phone number for Avast. I was routed to India. A gentleman was assigned my case. The gentleman knew nothing. When I mentioned certain common computer words, he didn't know what I was talking about. Evidently, Avast hires warm bodies, does not train them, but relies on On The Job Training. This gentleman was reading from a book and running off to talk to someone in charge of his unit on how to do certain things but soon became very frustrated and told me the problem was with my computer which was too old, even though all new boards were installed in my tower just one year ago and I'm not having any problems other than Avast.
This gentleman then told me that my internet Explorer had been used too many times and therefore was not allowing any access. He said he would have to referr me to a "Third Party Provider" for which I would be charged. When I said I didn't want to be charged, he unceremoniously hung up on me. I called Avast back and got a second "support tech". He asked me if this was my first or second call. When I said second call he said he had to refer me to a "technical manager". This turned out to be a Third Party Provider called "US Technical Support Today". They wanted $199.99, for a one year support service package. I told them I thought this was a "sell-up" scam. This second Indian gentleman was very pushy, and when I told him I didn't want the service he hung up on me.
I believe that Avast is engaging in a sell-up scam in which the consumer purchases an Avast anti-virus package. Then, several months later, Avast malfunctions leading to the consumer contacting Avast. They intentionally do not fix the problem. Instead, they take anything you might have said and give it as an excuse for forwarding you to a Third Party Provider which charges hundreds of dollars to basically unlock their block and run a cleaner like Revo.
I would not be surprised at all if US Technical Support Today is related to Avast, and Avast is just a method of sweeping for leads such that the consumer pays Avast for their anti-viral system, and then Avast is configured to block access to websites, thereby driving the consumer into a blind where this Third Party Provider stings the consumer for more money.
There is no reason why Avast should not have been able to fix this problem. I paid them already. Not only does their pop-up block common sites, the pop-up has no "allow" button, and the people at Avast avoid discussing any viable options other than US Technical Support Today". If you are unwilling to pay this amount, they suddenly hang up on you. I believe Avast is intentionally installing problems on consumer's computers that will net them renewable cash income in the future.
When I purchased my Avast anti-virus system, I was given a license number. That license numer is:
(((REDACTED)))
