I see alot of ppl have been saying theyve been scammed by support buddy and how they claim to be from refund departments. What i think u guys are talking about is the scam artists who claim to be from support buddy and have ties to windows. Dont allow these ppl access to your computer. The real support buddy is *******775. Ive had them for 3 years now. They never claim to be tied to microsoft or windows. Theyre a 3rd party and they identift themself as such at the start of the call

What u guys are talking about is scammers who claim to be support buddy and they charge u 399.99 for internet services like they did me. They $#*! your computer up then call 2 weeks later saying theyre giving refunds and need your acct info to put the money back. Like a fool, i paid them 399.99 cuz my computer was having problems. They installed some antivirus things on my computer. 2 weeks later i was having the same issues and when i tried to call them it took a while and when the person answered, u could tell from the background that u was calling a residence instead of a business which normally have reps talking in the background. I never received a refund and when i saw i was scammed i called my bank and reported it as fraud and they refunded me back my money. Then 2 months later, and up til today, i receive calls from those scammers claiming theyre from a refund dept and everytime i tell em im not interested and hang up and block their number then they always call me a couple days later from another funny looking number that starts with 201 or something. I make sure to never give these ppl access to my computer again cuz i have an idea of who the frauds and hackers are when they call. Support buddy does good work and are real (*******775) but the other guys are scammers. The real support buddy will never ever claim to have ties to windows or microsoft as theyre a 3rd party company

Dont mistake support buddy with the scammers and hackers who use the support buddy name

I got a pop up like most people here when my computer froze. Called, support buddy helped unfreeze, cleaned my computer (found lots of infected files), suggested Privacy Wall for x-tra protection. Total charge nearly $300.00 but DID fix my computer and felt better with x-tra protection for my computer. Was this a scam from the beginning, still not really sure. Why did my computer freeze? What I am sure is the following. I got a call couple weeks later saying suspicious activity on my computer. I THOUGHT I was talking with Support Buddy. Found out later it was not. They wanted to run a diagnostic test on my computer (which they did? And found more issues). They were on my computer a LONG time which I did watch what they were doing. They talked me into buying a 1 year technical support help service plan (tried to talk me into 3 or 5 year plan). Then got a call couple weeks later (I had not gotten my credit card statement yet and call was from "out of area") and they asked me if I had been out of the country. I said no. They said someone out of country had tried to use my computer and since I had year plan with them needed to do another diagnostic test. I told them to call back in 2 hours since I was leaving house. They did call back in 2 hours then told me their server had crashed and they had to close their company and were refunding all their customer's money back for the year service plan. They wanted me to get into my computer so they could send me a form for me to fill out. They needed to gain access into my computer to send me this form. WHAT? I told them to e-mail me the form or refund my credit card. Also if their server crashed, how were they gaining access into my computer. They are fast talking and good at what they do. They had lots of excuses why they needed to do this form in my computer. BEWARE! I did not let them, called Support Buddy (who I thought I was talking to) and they said they would never call me to tell me someone was gaining access into my computer or to do a diagnostic check. Scary! They also said they never had a year plan with me. My credit card statement showed a Golden Cypress Solution charge for that. There is actually a website for this company but it looks like it sells programs/hardware for computer protection. When you call the number, you get a recording to leave name and number. I did but no call back yet. Also left e-mail. No return message yet. I got a call today, about 4 days later by someone claiming to be from support buddy who needs to update my hardware that I bought. They knew I bought Privacy Wall. I told them to call me back in 1 hour. I called support buddy. They said they would not call me for this and would never call me. They ONLY take calls from customers. Please people, know this. I think someone has hacked into support buddy and have their information. Support buddy claim they are not affiliated with this Golden Cypress Solution or the number I received a call from today (*******186). I have informed Support Buddy of all this and have contacted my credit card company to dispute my charge from Golden Cypress Solution.

I am mich happy with the result. They are legitimate and trustable.

I'm normally so skeptical about stuff like this, but I was scared when the message popped up on my screen, so I called the number. Of course, I had JUST accessed a website I've never gone to before so I was extra worried. The person who answered (Steve) had a thick accent and told me all the scary things you don't want to hear: "All of your devices connected to this wifi are at risk." "Your banking history and online shopping is at risk." "Why don't you have security in place if you do online banking and shopping?" etc.

I stupidly allowed remote access to my computer and, of course, he found a lot of problems with my computer. Said that there was spyware on my computer with the intent of going after banking information. When we finally got to the point where he wanted to fix things, the cost was too much for me. I know everyone wants his/her computer to be secure, but I just don't have the money. He then gives me a $20 discounted price. I tell him that's still not enough and I'd rather turn off the computer and never use it again. He tells me a new computer will cost way more and I should just fix this now.

The whole time I was still skeptical, but the last straw for me was after I told him the answer would be no, he started closing out everything he pulled up. And the last screen asked him if he wanted to disconnect from my computer and he clicked no. As I was hanging up I saw him click no. So I couldn't ask him why he clicked no. I immediately tried to close out everything else, but my screen was frozen. I manually turned off my computer. And I turned off my wifi for extra precautions.

This JUST happened to me and I'm so mad that I let it go as far as I did now that I see these comments. I'm heading out to go buy some spyware/malware/antivirus software. Then I'll turn my computer back on and HOPE everything is ok.

Does anyone know what happens after the fact? Since he clicked no, will he be able to still access my computer when I turn it back on?

Do not trust this company!

Update: After turning on my computer, there is a bar at the top of my screen that I remember the "technician" using. And it says it's trying to connect (to the internet, I'm sure). But I removed my wireless USB card for good measure. It never "connects" since I have no internet going to the computer. I'm still working with a tech savvy friend to try to secure my computer again. Basically, I'm restoring my computer to original factory condition.

Also, around 5:30 today, I get a phone call from *******594. I answer and a guy with a British accent says he's calling about the computer issues I'm experiencing. I hadn't called anyone else about this, so I just hung up.

Again, do not trust this company!

Don't let them onto your computer! I instead went to Microsoft Support (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us). The support tech I chatted with said that SupportBuddy.net is one of many scammer sites posing as Microsoft vendors to take people's money and financial information.

If you got sent to SystemNotificationAlerts.com you do have a virus. Pick a well known virus removal company (Microsoft, McAfee, Norton, Trend, etc...) to clean you up.

Im writing the review of this company so that others who read may learn to take a breath first, then read the computer screen, then decide what action to pursue.

And, I dont know if what this company did was legal; I certainly didnt think so. But why did they decide to advertise this way [by breaking into my computer] rather than taking out an ad?

COMPUTER CRASH
July 26,2016 I was working a freelance citation assignment, searching online newspaper sites mostly in the Middle East. After only a few hours into the assignment, I received a message on my computer screen.

What I later learned is that when youre on sites in Europe/Asia, the sites are not as secure as ones in the U.S.

WHAT DID THE MESSAGE SAY?
This is key: It had the name of my internet provider on it, and the Microsoft number to call because my IP address had been blocked. It told me not to touch my computer or log out.

I called the Microsoft number, which was legitimate, and found out that I did not have a Network Access Protection Plan. I had one when I first purchased my computer, but I wasnt told about it, or I had forgotten, and, it has since expired.

NAP will run about $125 for 3 years, $175 for 5 years, and $250 for a lifetime.

FYI: Microsoft has to buy certain network securities because Microsoft does not itself provide these securities. So Microsoft referred me to a 3rd party NAP [Company A] from whom I purchased a contract, which I cancelled by the end of the day because the technician had made a serious installation mistake. I called Microsoft back and asked for another 3rd party NAP recommendation.

HERES WHERE IT GETS INTERESTING
After installing a NAP, the second 3rd party [Company B] that I ended up going with told me not, under any circumstances, to respond to another message that showed up on my computer screen. Company B placed their telephone number on the bottom tool bar because when these messages appear on your screen, they can block the entire screen, and, you dont think you can access any of the files on your desktop, as I thought I couldnt.

So what happens? The next day, another message pops up on my screen. AND I PANICKED. When in this state, I dialed the number on the screen.

The number belonged to supportbuddy.

HERES WHAT I ENCOUNTERED AT SUPPORTBUDDY
Staff with very thick accents. Staff that tried to convince me that I needed their service. The costs they cited were a one-time fix of my computer + additional costs for network access protection. The one-time fix was well over $100; the NAP protection would be additional.

I was in tears; I was exhausted. Already with the earlier computer crash, I had lost a day of work trying to problem solve, research NAP companies, and then working with the technician I was glued to my computer for the many hours it took to problem solve and install the NAP. I learned a lot that day, not the least of which was patience.

Two days later, I was screaming on the telephone to supportbuddy until I realized this was a scam. What supportbuddy was showing me had already been fixed by Company B. But most importantly, and this is the slimy thing:

Supportbuddy asked for permission to access my computer. I gave it to them; what a fool, and never again will I do that. Then they showed me a screen which I know Company B had already fixed!

So supportbuddy had uploaded a screen onto my computer that showed errors and danger symbols for a number of files on my computer. The screen was bogus. It had paid off to stay glued to my computer screen while Company Bs technician was problem solving and installing the NAP because I recognized the screen that supportbuddy was now telling me was the problem.

When I realized what was happening, and remembering that this screen had been shown to me by Company B, I said to supportbuddy that they were a scam, and asked them to disconnect from my computer. Scam is my way to say to a company: Im on to what youre doing. It may be legal what youre doing, and it may not be, but youre not going to do it to me.

Now supportbuddy may not be a scam company, but the way they did this, coming in through the back door, creating unnecessary panic that, to me, is unscrupulous, and the equivalent of internet terrorism.

WHEN THE DUST HAD SETTLED and heres where it gets really interesting
I entered supportbuddys number onto the block list on my telephone. Guess what? I already had entered them in 2015.

That number BTW is *******221. I remembered the first time supportbuddy called. It was to tell me they were Microsoft, that something was wrong with my computer, and that I had to call them back immediately. Again, the voice that left the message was heavily accented. When I called the number and asked where they were located, I was told Beverly Hills CA. [I lived in Los Angeles for 30 years, and I knew Microsoft didnt have an office there.]

Now I have enough experience with Microsoft to know that I would never receive a call from Microsoft; it was then that I added them to the block list on my telephone.

NOTE: First they were located in Beverly Hills CA, and as of July 2016, theyre located in Bakersfield CA.

IS THIS LEGAL?
Why cant this company advertise like other companies do?
And where can I file a complaint about this online terrorism?

MOST IMPORTANTLY
Think of the number of people this company and, I will assume, other companies prey upon people who arent technically savvy, or dont understand whats going on.

As it turns out, it would have been alright for me to close the screen when I saw it telling me not to close the screen but instead to call *******221, which is not a Microsoft number. How do I know? I keep a Word document of all the Microsoft numbers [technical, Windows technical support, accounting et al], which I did look at, but again, I was exhausted, I was falling terribly behind on a deadline, and my judgment was not clear all fertile ground for panic to set in.

DEBRIEF
If this happens to you, and youre not sure what to do:
- take a deep breath, and maybe two
- call your internet provider first and tell them what the message says
- ask your internet provider if you do indeed have a problem on your computer
- OR call the company that you have NAP with and ask the same question

The NAP company will run a scan to see if your computer has been infected or if there are any problems. Once this program is installed, you can run it yourself.

Its a dangerous world out there in the ether. Stay safe, and protect yourself and your computer.

In our day and age where we all seem to be in a hurried state of agitation and urgency from the time we spend with our technologies, seeing these messages on your screen while youre working at the speed of light this is exactly what these companies are preying upon, knowing that you most likely will call.

FOOTNOTE
I also reported the number to the Do Not Call Registry. While technically the DNC may not apply, I told the DNC what had happened. There should be a place to file complaints about companies who come in through the back door, via your computer. If anyone knows of such an organization, please share this.

Today for what ever reason my computer locked up and it gave me a 877 number to call to get matters resolved. I spoke to a person NOT from USA because they could NOT speak English. I informed them I wear 2 hearing aids and have hearing impaired phone and still with all volumes to the highest I could not understand them. The s called techie I go the next was as bad and the back ground noise made it impossible to hear most all of what they said. I made them repeat numerous times like my photos, banking info, passwords, face book account, email passwords and all files on my computer were very likely hacked and have been going on for a very long time. They used every scare tactic imaginably to tell me I could have lost all of the information on the internet and they went as far as to say the other computers in the house also using the wireless router what I believed was a secure wireless router, it was one scare after another and they could fix and find all the errors and intrusions and delete and fix my MS programs and so on. I was quoted one price for 1 year for one computer and then I was quoted another price for the same service and then again after they checked if my warranty was still good they had another price and I was informed 299.99 for this computer for as long as I have it and it is transferable if i sell or go to another computer. On each process the prices seemed to change or services changed. SO I used a Credit card and I never use credit cards but something was just not right they told me numerous times they worked for MS or were a subcontractor for micro soft. Or I should take it into a Microsoft store, Yah HAHAH where is your MS store near You? I had no access only cell phone and MS also has no sort of customer support lien available and I called other service outlets and all said the same being the computer to a computer shop. SO I believe I agreed to A 299.99 CHARGE for a computer for the time I own it or transfer it. After my computer came back on after they took control of it I started lookign and checking bank, credit char accounts and saving and other finical institution and SSA and other items that fall in very need safe and good. Later I checked email and seen my statement and seen where the charge was 299.99 for ONE (1) year and would be recharges at the end of 1 year. I called the company and said I was told the 299.99 was for life and they said there was no such, service available and it was for one year and one computer. I said I was lied to and misinformed and need this corrected. I was transferred to billing dept and the lady said they would correct the charge to 179.99 and that charge is for one month at 179.99 only one computer, and 299.99 was for the service for 1 year. So I informed them it was a scam and I would be disputing this through my Credit Card company. I wonder if there was not a hack in the first place and they took control of my computer through the internet and set the whole thing up like a sting operation. I have already spoken to B of A and posted a note of intentions regarding the charge.

I was using a website for free TV episodes when I got a pop up indicating a detected Virus. Their was also a voice that indicated that I should call Microsoft for support. YThe pop up listed a phone number. I just got this laptop, after a two year hiatus without one, so I freaked out and called the number. One of the first questions I asked when the agent answer was "are you a Microsoft affiliate?" To which he answered yes. I told him about the issue I was having and he walked me through the steps to enable him remote access to my computer. Once connected he downloaded some supposed virus detector software that indicated I have 712 security issues on my computer m. He spent a good 20 minutes showing me all the suposed issues with my laptop. It seemed as though he wanted to help. However, when I asked what I should do he indicated that in order to help me I'd have to be willing to pay a fee. It was this point where I started to suspect a scam. I again asked him if their company was affiliated with Microsoft because I had googled the name on my phone and could not find an affiliation. He said "yes, we offer support to Microsoft products as I told you before." I told him that is not what I asked. He pulled up the companies website as though to indicate they were reputable, I told him anyone could make a website, it doesn't make them a reputable company. At this point he started to get rude and say "if you don't let us fix your computer today this virus will infect your home network and all other devices." He was very forceful and wouldn't let me get a word in edgewise. I disconnected the remote access and asked to speak with a supervisor.

I informed the supervisor that I had been mislead to think that their services were affiliated with Microsoft. He too said they support Microsoft products. I said those two things are very different, and given that they stretched the truth I unwillingly gave access to my computer to a scam company. He then tried to sell me support services also indicating that I had 712 issues with my computer. I told him my computer is under warranty so I did not need their services. Once again he was rude and kept cutting me off, saying "if you want your computer to be at risk, that's up to you. " I said "I am paying for a warranty for issues like this." To which he replied, "well, your warranty only covers hardware issues, good luck with getting software issues covered. You're going to pay 400$ our services are less expensive." I responded with telling him that I would post our exchange anywhere I could to ensure others don't get scammed by them and that I would also be contacting the better business bureau. The supervisor was rude and abrasive and also kept cutting me off. I eventually shared some choice words with him and hung up.

Anyways, I call GEek Squad immediately afterwards and they remotely access my computer and do their own scan which did not find 712 issues. It found NONE! They indicated that the pop up was merely an advertisement so Support Buddy could scam others and make money. They even showed me that the virus scan program that they installed on my system was bogus. They are trying to trick people out of their money and that's not right. Please don't trust them!

Well you did a good job scamming me on Saturday. I want my 179.99 and 79.99 back.

SCAM SCAM SCAM OR SUPPORTBIDDY IS A COMPLETE FRAUD, IN MY OPINION.
On June 2, I was searching for a Metro Stop in DC. When I clicked on the site, I was taken to a raw porn site. I closed out of it and immediately, I got a locked screen and a voice telling me NOT TO SHUT MY MACHINE DOWN and to call *******679. The voice said that a hacker had infected my machine and that the hacker was downloading my credit cards, bank info, etc. The voice continued to repeat that I had to call *******679 for Microsoft technical support. I called the number, but hung up before the call went through so I thought. Even though my number was PRIVATE doesnt appear when I call someone, Support Buddy called me back. As soon as I heard an Indian voice, I was distrustful three years ago, I was scammed by an Indian claiming to be from Microsoft. I disconnected from the Internet in fear that Support Buddy was the hacker and to keep them off my computer. I repeated told the called TUSHAR that I didnt trust him. He said that he was an honest person and that the problem I had with my computer was not a scam. He wanted to demonstrate that I had a computer problem. I continued to repeat my high level of distrust. He then said that Support Buddy was a legitimate company in Bakersfield, CA and that I should check out their web site. He then acknowledged that Support Buddy was not affiliated with Microsoft, that they were a technical support company, and that he was located in India with the rest of the technical support group. AS SOON AS HE ADMITTED THAT HE WAS IN INDIA, I WAS EVEN MORE DISTRUSTFUL. Tushar told me to check out the website to substantiate that they were a legitimate company he wanted me to use my computer to check out his website. I refused and essentially hung up. I used my smart phone to check his website and found somethings interesting most of the comments were posted in April and May or 2016, most of the pictures for 5* rating were pictures of animals, and almost all 1* rating (of which there were many) called labeled Support Buddy a SCAM and gave examples of how they had bilked unsuspecting and trusting people of hundreds of dollars. Bottom line, I turned my computer off and when I turned it back on in 15 minutes or so, there were no problems with my computer. MY CONCLUSION IS THAT SUPPORT BUDDY IS A COMPLETE SCAM THAT IS IN BUSINESS TO DEFRAUD AND BILK UNSUSPECTING HONEST PEOPLE OF THEIR MONEY. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR CALIFORNIA SHOULD INVESTIGATE! THIS IS MY OPINION BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE.