libar
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: FlyDigital scam?

My husband clicked on an email he says caused his iMac to freeze. Message popped up saying "You've been hacked" w/phone # to call.  He's new to Mac and I wasn't around so he called (not sure of the number).  They told him because his Mac was 5 years old its "security software" was no longer under warranty and he needed to download something that cost $250.  He gave his credit card # to someone who claimed to be a subcontractor for Apple and received an invoice headed  "FlyDigital" and he thinks he downloaded something called Team Viewer, but he's not sure. Of course the email has disappeared.  His iMac is from 2010 running Yosemite (10.10.4).

 

It sounds like a massive scam to me, and putting aside the issue of "what was he thinking", has anyone heard of anything like this before? Any ideas on how to tell if it's legit?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.3), MacBook Air

Posted on Jul 23, 2015 3:14 PM

by Rysz,Solvedanswer
Rysz Rysz
Level 7 (21,001 points)
iPad
A:

It's definitely a scam. Unfortunately he already gave the scammers access to his computer. At this point, turn Wi-Fi off on his computer, uninstall the software and then have him change all his passwords and contact his banks/credit cards to stop all transactions. Use your computer, if you have to, to make the changes.

Posted on Jul 23, 2015 3:22 PM

Close
libar

Q: FlyDigital scam?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Rysz,Solvedanswer

    Rysz Rysz Jul 23, 2015 3:22 PM in response to libar
    Level 7 (21,001 points)
    iPad
    Jul 23, 2015 3:22 PM in response to libar

    It's definitely a scam. Unfortunately he already gave the scammers access to his computer. At this point, turn Wi-Fi off on his computer, uninstall the software and then have him change all his passwords and contact his banks/credit cards to stop all transactions. Use your computer, if you have to, to make the changes.

  • by rkaufmann87,

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Jul 23, 2015 3:44 PM in response to libar
    Level 9 (58,956 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jul 23, 2015 3:44 PM in response to libar

    Also tell him if he ever receives any of the following they are scams:

     

    • Pop up ad advising his computer has some type of problem
    • An ad advising his computer has some type of problem
    • E-Mail advising his computer has some type of problem
    • Phone call advising his computer has some type of problem

     

    Also tell him, OS X is extremely secure and if kept up-to-date should be fine. Finally advise him to NEVER download anything from a torrent site.

  • by libar,

    libar libar Jul 23, 2015 6:00 PM in response to Rysz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 23, 2015 6:00 PM in response to Rysz

    Thank you.  Good advice and we'll take it.  Appreciate your response.

  • by libar,

    libar libar Jul 23, 2015 6:01 PM in response to rkaufmann87
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 23, 2015 6:01 PM in response to rkaufmann87

    Thanks for your response.  Words we will live by.

  • by dssmith1262,

    dssmith1262 dssmith1262 Oct 16, 2016 3:24 AM in response to libar
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 16, 2016 3:24 AM in response to libar

    I got a call from them yesterday. I called apple support and they told me they had no affiliation. They fix security concerns with updated software which is free. The man from apple support walked me through a  change in

    my operating system and told me if i had anything from them to throw it in the trash.