I Almost Got Scammed
A few weeks ago, the printer I’d been using for over 10 years finally died. There was no reviving it. It was a dinosaur, technologically speaking, so I decided to get a new one.
And I HATE shopping for technology.
I knew exactly what I wanted: a simple all-in-one printer where the most complicated thing about it would be plugging it in. So off to Amazon I went.
Do you know how many printers are available on Amazon? Thousands. Literally thousands.
First, I narrowed the selection down by ratings—4 stars and above. (Because who wants anything less?) Then I set a price point. No, I did not want to pay $30K, thank you very much. Lastly, I filtered for home office use.
And… Go.
After hours of scrolling through specs, reviews, and options, I chose an HP printer. I let it sit in my cart for a couple of days before I checked out. That’s how I do most of my Amazon purchases—I like to let them simmer before pulling the trigger.
The printer arrived bright and early the next day. But I wasn’t quite ready to pull it out of the box and dive into manuals, apps, and cables. So it sat in my office… for days.
Then came the deadline. I needed to print a form for my doctor to complete for insurance. And of course, I decided to set up the printer one hour before my appointment.
Let me reiterate: the most complicated thing I want my technology to do is plug in. I knew that wasn’t going to happen, but I wasn’t expecting what did happen.
You know the drill—download the app, fill out the warranty, connect to Wi-Fi, sync with your computer. Badda-bing, badda-boom, and you’re printing. Except… no.
Instead, a “customer service” pop-up magically appeared in the lower right-hand corner of my desktop screen:
“It looks like you’re having trouble with your new printer. Would you like a call from customer service?”
Before I could type, “No,” I was already getting a call from an 877 number.
And like a dummy, I answered it.
It was “John Parker” from HP Support—with such a heavy accent, I had to ask him twice what his name was. (He ended up spelling it using the military alphabet.)
He launched into his spiel, and—yes—I fell for part of it.
At this point, other 800 and 877 numbers were also calling me. I kept hanging up on those, thinking “John Parker” was the one who was actually helping me.
Somewhere along the way, he gained access to my computer.
I told him I wasn’t comfortable with this.
He kept going.
He told me I had malware. I knew I didn’t.
He said I had a Trojan virus. I still knew I didn’t.
And then he went in for the kill:
“I can clean up everything for $395.00. One year of support.”
That’s when I snapped out of it.
I told him, “I’m not paying for anything.”
I should’ve shut everything down right then and there. I was trying. He just kept talking. Finally, I said:
“You need to learn what the word no means.”
And I shut my computer down. Hung up. Done.
It shook me up. I felt foolish for falling for it, even briefly.
I’ve watched so many scam-baiting videos on YouTube—I should have known better. But if I hadn’t watched them, I might not have realized what was happening.
I went to my doctor’s appointment without the form.
I’ll get it to them next week.
I’m still feeling a bit rattled. I’ve changed all my passwords, and I’ll be a lot more cautious from now on.
A Final Note:
If this could happen to me, it could happen to anyone.
Pop-ups offering help? Ignore them.
Support calling you before you contact them? It’s a scam.
Someone asking for remote access and then demanding payment? Hang up.
Stay safe out there.
Blessings,
Bethanne
🚨 Top 5 Signs It’s a Tech Scam
Unsolicited Pop-Ups Offering Help
Real tech companies don’t monitor your device and magically offer support. If a pop-up appears saying, “We see you’re having trouble,” that’s your first red flag.Calls from Unknown 800 or 877 Numbers
If you haven’t requested a call, don’t answer. Legitimate companies don’t cold-call customers about tech issues—ever.Heavy Pressure to Act Fast
Scammers create urgency: “You have malware!” “Your account is compromised!” They want you panicked so you’ll act without thinking.Requests for Remote Access
Never let a stranger access your computer, no matter how official they sound. That’s how they steal personal info or install real malware.Demands for Payment to “Fix” Problems
If someone offers to fix a “virus” or “issue” for a fee, it’s almost always a scam—especially if you didn’t contact them first.
👀 Pro Tip:
If something feels off, it probably is. Hang up, shut it down, and ask someone you trust—or just Google it (safely)!
