Warning! The Windows Care is a Scam!

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I had been using my laptop computer without anti-virus software on it for a few days last week. I had also lost wireless capability for about a month, meaning every time I go online I have to plug in the internet cord into the adapter for my desktop computer. I had anti-virus software loaded onto my computer from my sister in law. It lasted for about a month but then I lost it last week for some unknown reason. I went to the Roadrunner website to log in but it wouldn't accept my login info., probably my password. So, I went online to look for free anti-virus software but none was available. I was going to get one @ Office Max on Sat. the day after getting my haircut & grocery shopping with my mother. After I got home, the phone rang & my mom answered it. It was an out of the area call. The guy had a Indian accent & I had to concentrate on what he was saying. He said he noticed I had trouble with my computer. How did he know? I asked who it was & he said it was Windows. I confused that with Road Runner & he said to go on my computer to help me fix it. He told me where to go on my computer - to the start menu & then after that I don't remember. But he showed me that there were alot of viruses & spam & malware on my computer & that he was going to let one of his technicians take care of it. He said the price could range from $80 to $180, depending on how much work needs to be done. I let him do that because I thought this agency was part of the computer package. After the computer was apparently fixed, he said it would cost $130. I thought it was high but the price to pay for so many problems. He said he needed my credit card to pay & that was the only method of paying. But he said that 'after' the work was done. I said I don't have a credit card but my mother does. My mother talked to him & refused to pay. He said we had to pay for work done. We wanted to get off the phone to call my sister who's a computer specialist & bought me the computer for Christmas. We wanted to to ask her if this Window Care was legitimate but the guy would not let us hang up or hold. I asked if he could undo the work done, he said no. If we did not pay, he said "we would take legal action." So, my Mom & I reluctantly agreed to it. We gave him the credit card information with reservation & nervousness. He told me to restart the computer after we hang up. I did & found the computer operating more quickly with no apparent problems. My mom called my sister & told her all about & she said she never heard of that place. I looked it up & it had phone numbers & information about it & terms/condition & privacy statment. She asked how they knew I had computer problems.I said I didn't know. I confused this with Road Runner. She asked if I gave out Mom's credit card #. I said yes & she yelled at me, telling me never to give out such info. This is probably a scam, she said. I was scared. I didn't use that computer that night. I saw that the Windows Care program was in my programs page so I got right off of it. I went on my desktop one & went to the Better Business Bureau website & typed "The Windows Care" & it was not listed. That made me believe it was a problem. I looked on the Internet & typed "The Windows Care." There were 2 links on it, saying it was a scam! I was shocked & scared about my laptop being exploited & my mother's credit card infomation being stolen. I told her about it & she called her credit card company all about it & her concerns. They said they would look @ every charge to her card after the $130 for Windows Care & see if they're taking advantage of it or if it's a one-time scam. She said there was no reason to cancel the card completely for now, but would watch the charges on her bill & call her about every charge to it. Meanwhile, the next day, after having about 2 hours sleep from being nervous about what will happen, I went to Office Max & bought the best anti-virus software on sale with 40% off - Norton 360 & loaded the CD onto my laptop computer. It loaded successfully but slowly. Meanwhile I removed the program off my computer & deleted it completely. I finally did a thorough scan of my computer & it removed any threats after a few hours of scanning. I also did a reputation scan & it resolved things too. So, my computer is safe. About my mother's credit card - it still is unresolved but we're grateful that the c.c. company will watch any suspicious charges to the account. I just wrote this to any myLot users or their friends or family about The Windows Care. It is a scam, but I found out 'after' they done work. The only problem we have now is the $130 charged to her c.c. account. Let my unfortunate but somewhat resolved experience be a lesson to any one who lets a computer be used without anti-virus for some time - what could happen. Anyone getting access to their computer somehow & offering to help fix it should not let it happen. It is a scam, not just Windows Care but ANY one of those companies. Be wary. Don't get trapped into giving your credit card # by threatning legal action 'after' the work is done. I learned that NO ONE should have remote access to my computer even if they really are offering help. Let this be a lesson to all who read this & don't know better. Spread the word about this scam, for your sake & your friends/family. I learned the hard way. Learn the easy way! Good luck!