Windows Defender Scam

Anonymous
2020-03-10T17:23:36+00:00

I received an email stating I am being charged $199.00 for windows defender can this be true or is it a scam?

[Original Title: window defender]

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Security and privacy

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Virginia M 42,075 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2020-03-10T17:27:37+00:00

100% scam.

Windows defender comes free with Windows 10.

If you hover your mouse over any links you can then check them to see where they truly link too; I bet it isn’t Microsoft.

Have you received any strange phone calls purporting to be Microsoft/Windows techs stating you have a problem with Windows?

Just in case I would check with your bank or creating card provider to ensure this charge hasn’t been applied.

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JuliaMarvin 22,810 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2020-03-10T17:28:17+00:00

That's definitely a phishing email, a scam.

Mark it as spam and delete it.

You might want to read: Protect yourself from phishing - Windows Help

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64 additional answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-05-20T23:33:40+00:00

    This is a scam and that person(s) is trying to trick you. It always comes preinstalled  and is always free. Report the email address to the domain admin.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-05-22T19:45:22+00:00

    I went part way down the road with this scam yesterday. I cut them off after intense arguing. But, I'm concerned that the episode compromised Windows, and how much personal data, files, etc they could have uploaded. I ran Norton full scan, and deleted the remote computer app, changed critcal PWs (so far).

    How can I be sure I'm restored to clean Windows?

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-05-28T15:01:49+00:00

    This is a second input to this nightmare.

    Excuse me for not participating more frequently, but I am concerned about being on line too much.

    The email that started this off disappeared later that night. I did not mark it JUNK or delete it. But I did copy the contact phone number.

    My main concern is to what, if any, personal files were ftp'd out to their computers. I tried to find out if Windows logs file transfers but so far not determined. Event Viewer only appears to log system events. My isp does NOT log file transfers. It seems to me Windows SHOULD log file transfers in/out of my computer. If anyone knows for sure that ftp logs are kept, please let me know so I can have evidence of any nefarious actions.

    I also looked into doing Windows 10 Recovery but that seems extremely drastic. I have my data backed up but the apps reload is a bit much for me for now.

    Appreciate your advice!!

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