I just received a call early this morning 1/23 at 7:00 A.M. MST, after my ITECH subscription ran out on 12/21. I was told by the technician that they had to run a security check on my computer because they had found some corruption in my system. I immediately became suspicious because my computer had been running fine. The technician performed exactly the same exercises as when I called them the first time in September. I thought they were a part of the Dell Company, the maker of my computer. They led me to believe that impression initially.in hindsight, I wish I had never accepted their assistance in the first place.in fact, I was told during my initial call that there was no charge. However, when the “security scan” showed errors, I was told that they could fix it once and for all! He said that would require a subscription but my system would be secure for the six to seven years I had my computer. The only reason that I considered and finally accepted the offer was because I was assured it would be a onetime charge and would permanently resolve my computer woes. They also told me that for three months, they would handle any software issues also. The emphatic promise was that it would be a permanent fix and for good. With that promise, I agreed. When I got the call this morning, I immediately became suspicious.in fact, I was not certain that they were the same company because of the previous promises made that I would be covered for hardware problems for the life of my computer! I told him that my subscription for software was over as of 12/21, but was assured that my system was covered in the future otherwise. It was perplexing when he said that they had "extended" the review coverage to all customers for one month. This was an immediate red flag because he was affirming that they were just doing a follow up on all their customers for this problem that had inauspiciously arisen. Also, the “one month” extension excuse felt spurious! I decided to play along because none of it made sense to me and I just wanted to confirm my innate suspicions. The technician asked me go to their website and allow him access to my computer. I was very upfront with him about my concerns of a scam being perpetrated. I even told him that I had other so-called tech companies call me with a similar warning that the Microsoft Network was corrupted and that this would shut down my system. At the time, I ran them off quickly and in no uncertain terms. The technician agreed that there were many scams out there but he was the real thing.initially, I was not even certain that this was the same company I had done business with in the past because if you pull up Itech, a number of sites appear. I was giving him every opportunity to abdicate this ruse, or give him enough of the proverbial “rope.” I suspected all along this time that this was a fictitious attempt to bamboozle me. He categorically assured me that he was representing the Itech Company that I had the subscription with formerly and that my computer was his only interest. At this point, I knew that he thought that I had forgotten the promise that was made to me in September. This was a contract that I would never have computer hardware problems again and that my computer would be free of these errors for the life of my computer! It was specifically stated that Itech would be responsible for the flawless functioning of my system, henceforth (full stop). I allowed him to run a so-called diagnostic on the computer, explaining the entire time what he was doing so that I could have proof of his candor. During this simulation he asserted that as long as there was a black background with white text, my computer was in perfect configuration. It was only when the background was black but with a red text that there was a problem. It was black and white for quite a while and he said this means that your computer is okay. Despite, not having the red text for a long time, he kept running this diagnostic. My suspicions grew as he kept explaining what had not been substantiated to that point. Then suddenly, just as I thought, it FINALLY turned to red text. “Oh My Goodness! ” (Or something to that effect), he gasped and then started eagerly circling in a green marker words such as “security risks, ” etc. He said something akin to "See where it says Computer Risks?" He went on to attest to something which “witnessed” 10,000 plus issues. As his dramatic feat heightened, I knew the hook was coming! Make no mistake; I was questioning his veracity throughout this activity. I confronted him every step of the way, I tried to give him a retreat. I wanted to see when the money talk would begin. I summoned him to fix it without any cost to me, if in fact there were these issues. Remember, I was told In September, that I would never have any problem for the life of my computer. This was a promise made to me. I immediately retaliated with “Since you say there is a problem, and YOU said there would be no cost to me, both when you called this morning, and before when I got my first subscription, THEN FIX IT.” He then delineated the difference. He said there is no charge to remove these corrupted files but there is a "cost" to replace new files. There it was, THE HOOK! This was nothing more than an unsuccessful attempt to extract another subscription from me. I then told him to get out of my computer immediately while I was watching him. He tried to continue his explanation and compelled me to look at one more thing. He just wanted me to see the number of corrupted security files there were. If it were more than 10,000, my system was in big trouble. I told him that he had showed me that there were 10,000 plus issues before, so he said. He assured me that this was something different; he implored more patience from me. “I must see” the number of these security infractions, he chided. He then pulled up a number that indicated 30,000 serious concerns. It was then that I told him to stop with the charade. I demanded that he get out of my computer immediately. I watched him do so. I told him emphatically that HE OR HIS COMPANY would not touch my system again! I told him that I would take my computer to a local computer technician in the future and if there was a problem, I would have them fix it. He went on to say that he never said it was my computer, but that it was in the Network that was controlling my computer and that ONLY his company had access to the network that was causing it. (Yes, this is what he told me). What he did say, not just through implication, was that my computer would be severely affected. I told him, I was not about to pay him anything more; that if it were his network causing these problems, then they should fix them. I reiterated that everything that he had done this morning was EXACTLY what he did when I bought the Plan the first time. I also told him that it was suspicious at his finding at this time as they never called me before for anything. Did it have anything to do with my original subscription ending, I wondered aloud. I also assured him that if there were any problems with my computer as a result of his call, there would be repercussions from me. He petitioned me in a rash tone trying to further explain his honorable intentions to save me from forthcoming catastrophe. After my vigorous presentation of a flimflam, I exclaimed for the last time that the call was over. I made it absolutely clear that there was nothing that he or his company would do for me in the future. I told him that this was a failed attempt to extort another $199.95 from me. Although, I saw through this hoax the second time around, I feel that I was scammed the first time for $199.95. Frankly, I would have let it go except that they were coming back for more. A couple times during my subscription period of three months, I called and could not get through to a technician and was promised a call back. I never received a call back. They could not even get my printer set up (a software issue) and convinced me that there was a problem with my Apple Airport Extreme Base Station, saying that it was incompatible with my computer system. They spent one full day trying to resolve it, unsuccessfully. I accepted that it may have been an unfixable problem and signed off on it. I went to Apple and they were able to fix it without a problem and in mere moments. This particular technician even received an accolade for his efforts from me on another issue. I always worked with them as politely as I could, giving them every chance to resolve a problem. A couple of the issues they did resolve and I gave them credit even speaking to a manager for the service rendered. I did not use the service more than four times at the most during my subscription period. I always gave them the benefit of my doubt. During my subscription period, they never called me to see how things were going. My overall opinion now is that although they may be able to intercede on relatively simple matters, they are lacking significant expertise to fix more complex problems. On one call there were three technicians to work on the issue, which ironically was the printer issue. On two occasions, they had my computer tied up for hours, once all day. I was ready to move on and not use them again, but after this attempted shenanigan to “fleece” me, I am insulted and angered. I am now convinced that chicanery was used to acquire the first subscription. I do not want anyone else to be victimized. Buyers beware, and previous subscribers be keenly apprehensive.
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