Late last night after a long day I realised I needed a copy of Adobe Reader to view some files on my new computer. The first link on Google redirected me to a site that appeared very much like the Adobe site, and the emblazoned "Download" link even offered a free copy of another piece of software my PC was lacking. Fantastic, I thought - I can kill two birds with one stone.
It really should have occured to me upon clicking the Download link that something was up. Perhaps I had been lulled into a false sense of security. It didn't link to a download of anything, but to a page requesting my e-mail address. ONLY my e-mail address. My boyfriend told me afterwards this should have alerted me, but as I have said before; it was late at night and I was tired and just wanted to get my darn piece of software and be done with it.
The next link took me to a page that prompted me to choose a payment plan that included support and other downloads. Fair enough, I thought. This is Adobe, right? So I chose the 3-year plan, deciding it would benefit me in the long run, which ultimately amounted to more than the other plans but seemed like a good deal for the long term. I also had enough wits about me to uncheck a box that would've added another charge for a piece of software I didn't need, surreptitiously tucked at the side.
The next page asked for payment details. I entered my VISA and (pausing at the last minute to uncheck another box that would've charged me more money) clicked to continue. However, this led to an error page. Cursing, I took the option to use Paypal and everything went fine that way. I had a moment of confusion when I saw that the transaction would appear on my bill as "MP3 Sharing", but who knows what these companies do in their free time?
It was only when I logged in (using only my e-mail address) to download my software that alarm bells rang proper - too little, too late. All the site offered was a list of links to free-trial versions of various software. The sleepiness encrusting my brain gave way to rage as I realised I'd been duped. Backtracking to Google, I could have kicked myself with a spiked boot when I saw the legitimate link to Adobe just two links below the scam site, which was one of those "Sponsored" links.
Ultimately there's little I can do about this except use it as a learning experience. However, it raises some questions:
1. Why is Google promoting this site on the front page of a search, in front of the legitimate link? This just paves the way for more innocent users to be scammed.
2. Why does Paypal accept this user as legitimate? Surely the point of using the service is a protection against being scammed? Hasn't anyone contacted them about it before now? Maybe I just don't understand how both these sites work, but it just doesn't seem right to me.
3. I'm concerned about the error page I was initially led to - what if there was no error at all and this company now have my debit card details, which they can use to bill me superfluously? Should I cancel my card?
I apologise if this report is much longer than the norm. I just wanted to state my experience in a manner as detailed as possible.
If any new information comes to light - for example, on the issue of the debit card and any charges that may have occurred - I will update this report. It is only the day after the incident, so only time will tell.
To conclude, I ask any person reading this report to keep in mind that just because a site is promoted by Google or accepts Paypal does not seal its position as a trustworthy business. Always make sure you know what you're paying for before you buy it and browse around. Don't make the same naive mistakes I did.
* The addresses I've included are taken both from the site I was directed to at the end of my order and the Paypal transaction details. There were two other sites involved in the actual order - one that was the sponsored link and an "https" site, transacster.com, that handled my details. These, however, only seem like pawns in the bigger picture.
I should also note that while many others have been overcharged by this company, this doesn't seem to have been the case with me as I used Paypal. Until I can check my debit account, though, this won't be entirely certain.
Astrid
Pembroke
United Kingdom
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