Cybersecurity Scam Victims Mailed Second Round of FTC Checks

Consumers who were allegedly duped into buying tech support services from Big Dog Solutions LLC, also doing business as Help Desk National and Help Desk Global, and a number of other companies are set to receive refunds from the Federal Trade Commission.

The first round of settlement checks were mailed in January 2018 and were worth about $176 each. However, the FTC says money still remains in the settlement fund so consumers who received that initial check can expect a second one.

The FTC is mailing more than 3,000 checks totaling $70,000.

The FTC alleged that a variety of tech companies tricked consumers into thinking their computers were infected with viruses and then sold them bogus tech support services.

According to the FTC, an international crackdown on cybersecurity scams led to legal action and ultimately a settlement with the agency. The FTC partnered with the state of Florida to help take down Big Dog Solutions and related companies.

“Scammers like these use incredibly deceptive tactics that make consumers think they are receiving warnings from legitimate technology companies,” said the director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “We are proud to work with the Florida Attorney General’s Office to put an end to these fraudulent practices.”

“Tech support scams prey on people’s fear of losing important work, family photos or sensitive identification information,” noted Florida Attorney General at a news conference. “Using that fear scammers trick thousands of consumers into paying millions of dollars to fix problems that never existed. These scams will not be tolerated in Florida and that is why we are bringing more cases, against more tech support scammers than any other state in the country—in an effort to protect consumers and recover money for victims.”

Big Dog Solutions LLC and related defendants agreed to turn over assets to the FTC as a part of a settlement agreement with the agency. The companies have also agreed to stop selling tech services and telemarketing, under the terms of the settlement.

The Florida based tech companies were accused of tricking people into purchasing tech support services.

Allegedly, the defendants used deceptive pop up advertisements that looked like legitimate error messages. The messages warned of a computer virus or malware and instructed users to contact a toll-free number.

Once consumers contacted the number, call center employees who represented themselves as employees of major tech companies and pressured consumers into paying for unnecessary services.

In some cases, alleged the FTC, companies did not even provide any tech services at all, but charged consumers hundreds of dollars regardless.

“Tech support scams prey on consumers’ legitimate concerns about malware, viruses and other cyber threats,” said a representative of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection in a statement. “The FTC is proud to work with federal, state and international partners to take down these scams, and help consumers learn how they can safeguard their computers against real cybersecurity threats.”

The FTC settlement with Big Dog Solutions LLC and related defendants is not the only cybersecurity scheme being investigated. The agency has partnered with other states investigating cybersecurity scams in Ohio, Alabama, and Colorado. It is also working with India to target scams based internationally.

Questions regarding settlement checks can be directed to the refund administrator at 877-309-1959.