FTC Refunds Millions to Scammed Consumers: Tech Support Scammers Get Busted, Wallets Get Justice
The FTC is issuing over $25.5 million in refunds to consumers scammed by fake tech support pop-ups. Bad news for the scammers, as one of their victims was an undercover agent. Dirtbags busted! The operation tricked users into paying for unnecessary repairs using scare tactics, but now justice and refunds prevail.
Hot Take:
Looks like the FTC is in the business of giving away free money—albeit just enough for a fancy dinner, not a new computer. Who knew you could get paid for being gullible? Here’s hoping the scammers enjoy their new “tech support” gig in jail!
Key Points:
- FTC is refunding over $25.5 million to scam victims, averaging $34 per person.
- Scammers Restoro and Reimage used fake pop-ups to scare consumers into paying for bogus repairs.
- The scam targeted older consumers and coaxed them into paying up to $500 for unnecessary services.
- Undercover agents helped bust the scammers, leading to the companies paying $26 million in fines.
- Despite a decline in tech support scams, overall scam losses hit $12.5 billion in 2024.
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