Is 1st Choice Tech Support in South Florida legit?

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Is 1st Choice Tech Support in South Florida legit?

Is 1st Choice Tech Support in South Florida legit? While doing search today got Error msg might have virus and then Safari box showed telling me to contact tech support. # was for So Florida at 1st Choice. As could not x out of Error screen, I called. 1st Choice took control of computer and did system analysis. Also used Webfoot Secure Anywhere. No money was given. Feedback? What do I do now? Do I need to bring my computer for a 'manual tuneup by a certified tech and request virus and infection removal' (cost quoted about $350 and 5-7 days needed) as instructed by Harry the 1st Choice technician??

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.4)

Posted on Jul 23, 2015 6:57 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 23, 2015 7:02 PM in response to Clerje

No. It's a SCAM!

To be on the safe side, reformat startup disk using OS X Recovery.

It's not necessary to take your Mac anywhere. You can reformat the disk using your Wi-Fi connection.

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Answer 2

Clerje Author

Level 1

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Jul 23, 2015 7:04 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

Not sure how to do that. Is it easy? Would the tech have copied some of my info or imbedded something 'not good'?

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Answer 3

kahjot

Level 4

2,462 points

Jul 23, 2015 7:58 PM in response to Clerje

Clerje wrote:

Not sure how to do that. Is it easy? Would the tech have copied some of my info or imbedded something 'not good'?

You gave a dishonest stranger access to your computer, so you should be very concerned that something "not good" has been done. Do you have a recent backup that you could restore after erasing the HD? If you are not technically savvy, you should probably get help with this. You might want to go to an Apple Store for help, if there is one in your area.

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Answer 4

Eric Root

Level 10

684,045 points

Jul 24, 2015 4:13 PM in response to Clerje

You should erase and reformat your hard drive, then restore your computer from a backup made prior to when you allowed them access. Change your passwords and other critical information also. You don't know what software might have been installed.

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Answer 5

Jul 24, 2015 4:16 PM in response to Clerje

See the "What if I Called the Number" section of this article: A Browser Pop-up has Taken Over Safari.

(Note that I am affiliated with that site, and some pages contain ads).

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Answer 6

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Sep 17, 2015 12:22 PM in response to Clerje

They are scamming you, they are not an authorized Apple service center, do not deal with them again. They are criminals

Here are some people scammed by them, these are from the FTC site.

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/ftc-cracks-down-tech-support-scams

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Answer 7

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Sep 21, 2015 6:03 AM in response to Clerje

I'll just take a moment to remind people that 1st Choice are scam artists, they will take your money, as much as they can get out of you. Don't ever respond to them.

The OP of tis thread is just one of many people who got scammed. The poster who keeps recommending them is an accomplice.

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