💸 Watch Out for Refund Scams: They Want You to Call, Panic, and Pay
Sep 03, 2025Have you ever received an email claiming you were just charged $599 for McAfee or Norton? It looks official, uses logos, includes an “invoice,” and even provides a phone number in big red letters if you didn’t authorize the charge.
🚨 Spoiler Alert: This is a scam. And a popular one.
Criminals use fake invoices and scare tactics to trick people into calling their “helpline.” From there, they’ll often:
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Pretend to process a refund
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Ask to connect remotely to your computer
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Trick you into “accidentally” sending money via Zelle, Venmo, or a gift card
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Or worse: install malware or steal your identity
How the Scam Works:
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You get a fake invoice for an expensive subscription you never bought.
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It says, “If you didn’t authorize this, call us immediately.”
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You call — because of course you didn’t authorize it!
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A scammer walks you through a “refund process” — which ends in you losing money or control of your computer.
Red Flags to Watch For:
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No details about your actual account — just your email
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High-pressure wording like “urgent,” “immediately,” or “avoid interruption”
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Odd sender addresses (e.g. a Gmail address instead of a company domain)
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Unprofessional formatting or weird phrasing
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Big red helpline numbers begging you to call
What To Do Instead:
✅ Do not call the number
✅ Do not click any links
✅ Do not allow remote access to your computer
📨 If you’re ever unsure, forward the email to [email protected] — we’ll help you verify if it’s real.
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