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In 2019, the FTC reached a settlement with Elite IT and its owner, who tricked people into buying expensive computer repair services. The company shut down, and its owner is permanently banned from selling tech support services to consumers. But recently, scammers posing as Elite IT agents have been making calls. They say they’re giving refunds related to the case (not true), and urging people to hand over control of their computers (not safe). If you get a call from Elite IT - or anyone else who wants to connect to your computer - hang up and report it. It’s a scam.

 

People have reported calls from “Elite IT Solutions” and “Elite IT Group.” The callers offered refunds because of a “settlement,” or a “cancelled subscription,” and pressured people to let them take over their computers. This fits the pattern of a classic tech support refund scam where scammers offer to send you a refund for past services – if you’ll just give them your bank account, credit card or other payment information so they can deliver the refund. If you get that call, don’t cooperate; they’re trying to steal your money.

 

You can read about the FTC’s refund program at FTC.gov/Refunds. When the FTC gives a refund, it never requires you to pay upfront fees, or asks for sensitive information, like your Social Security number or bank account information. If someone claims to be from the FTC and asks for money, it’s a scam. Please report it at FTC.gov/Complaint, so we can alert others.

It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.

The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

hzleyes52
August 27, 2020
they have text me now. i block them and i block them on my phone.
FLUser
August 27, 2020
Scammers who want to take control of your computer will ask you to go to an internet provider site that supports remote access to your computer .. some of these sites generate a code that the scammers ask you to tell them - NEVER DO THIS - however some other scammers will provide you with a code -- in this case you DO NOT USE the code BUT the code can be reported to the remote access provider -- there is usually a link you can click on to report the code as a scam.
Michael …
August 28, 2020
I'm glad that I read your report on "Tech Scramers". During the day when my home telephone ring, I don't bother to answer it. That goes for my Cell Phone as well, if I see a number on my C.P. that I didn't make. I won't answer it, and if I do I'll just hang up. And not say a word. That's how I feel about these "Scrams".
Gary Nemerofsky
August 27, 2020
This info you sent today comes quite a bit late. The reason I subscribed toyhe FTC was due to the scam of me needing driver updates by imposters from Microsoft. They hit me for $249.00. Therefore, my credit had to be locked down, cards canceled, etc. Then i took pc to repair co which told me I had 5 ip addresses! At another cost of $75. to remedy that. Then calls started about the refunds which are only being addressed now! Why now? I've been in contact with MS security, AT&T mobile to get these people shut down. I've filed grievence with the FTC and Identity theft Comm.for compensation. It's gone nowhere, thanks!
KDR
August 28, 2020
I have had so many of those calls and emails. I have the latest one I received the other day. They actually owe me my refund. I got suckered several years ago. Dear Sir/Madam Your operater is going to expire as on 23-08-2020 Please Renew Your account soon your computer Apps will be disabled on 25-08-2020 due to concerns we have for the safety and integrity of the Community. Note - without renewing you can lost your account and the data will be locked till the Renewal Please Call this number 1-747-236-5499 to get started Sincerely support Team PETER WILLIAM
MannyFreshDonging
August 28, 2020
I used to get calls of this nature for about a year. Everyone I would tell then to just send that refund in a check or money user, without wavering until they would get mad and just hang up smuttering something under their breathe. Everytime they ask if im in front of my computer, that's when I go into my act of telling then when they should call and that I would be available. They wouldn't call back at specified time. Totally turned them off on that with me.
irishnip
August 31, 2020
On 2/26/20 I unfortunately fell for the scam and let them on my computer to transfer $400 refund. After I hit transfer $4K was transferred!!!!!! and scammers threatened me to pay back $. I listened to everything they told me and gave them gift cards. I was very emotional and wasn't thinking even though I consider to be "smart." Anyway, everything happens for a reason and I am not giving up! I am currently working with bank to investigate because I have the scammers company names, phone numbers, dates, history on my computer of their activity, voicemails, and also filed with Microsoft. All I can say is don't feel you can't do anything. Fight and don't give up!