Norton/Symantec's dirty trick

[the blues]

I removed Norton anti-virus, etc. from my computer over a year ago. Today I got an email notification that my credit card had been charged via auto-renewal (which I had disabled when I removed Norton from my system). But that's not the tricky part. The credit card they had on file was expired, and yet Norton still charged me. I asked the man-with-a-thick-Indian-accent-named-Fred how that happened. Fred said that Norton, like many other online retail companies that have the auto-renewal option, subscribed to an updater program. The updater program functions in cooperation with banks; banks provide updated credit card information to retailers when auto-renewal information expires. Fred said this was done for the convenience of older customers, who might not know how to update their credit card information themselves.

I have a couple of problems with this. The first is, gimme a break. Norton and the banks conspire thus because they want customers' money, not to help old people. The second is, when did I give my bank permission to release updated credit card information to online retailers? What kind of crap is that?

[david13]

1. The usual kind. The rich using their money to screw people.

Just another reason to never allow anything to use auto card payment.
I did not know of this sleazy trick. Thank you for informing me. And others who hopefully will not be scammed by this.
dc

[the blues]

2. So true about not using auto-pay.

They have it checked by default, and my vigilance lapsed for that split second.

I was surprised Fred told me about that updater business.

[nini]

3. I really despise Norton/Symantec in general

I had problems with that produce a couple years ago and when their Tech Support couldn't fix it they said I had to upgrade to the newer version which would cost me even though I had 6 months left on the existing license. WTF? I had so many problems with my system I had to reformat to fix it.

I'm also believe they are probably responsible for many viruses out there in the first place - what better way to keep your product relevant.

[whistler162]

4. Simple rule I learned almost 20 years ago.....

Norton/Symantec prodcuts are worthless DON'T install.

[phasma ex machina]

7. Bloatware on a good day. Norton 180 actually breaks functioning systems. nt

[the blues]

10. Bloatware, yes. And...

...indeed, Norton 360 caused the crash of at least two computers that I know of.

[the blues]

13. I know what you mean.

I have wondered similarly about Vista. Let's set aside for a second the fact that Vista was a boon for software makers, who could then sell their updated XP product all over again to everyone because it didn't play well with Vista. When Vista was released, I heard reports from a number of my friends that their XP computers had crashed... for some reason or other....

That's why, anytime I'm on the computer now, I wear one of these: :tinfoilhat:

[Prometheuspan]

5. thanks for the heads up, i just removed them

huh. I guess i have to triple check whats up at the bank.

[gmoney]

18. yeah, likely the bank won't cancel it either

If you have a recurring charge, and you call the bank to stop it, they'll tell you that you need to contact the merchant.

[phasma ex machina]

6. Thanks for the "heads up" on yet another scam. nt

[mockmonkey]

8. They did that to me too.

Apparently there was a little tiny check-mark that I should have UNCHECKED on my personal info page to tell them not to renew me for a 2 year subscription. It's nice that they put the check-mark in for me otherwise I wouldn't have notice that my subscription was about expire amid the 20 messages a day that told me that. Sheesh! They did credit my account after I told them to stuff their crappy anti-virus.

I am happy with my free version of Avast!

[the blues]

11. Yes, I've heard good things about Avast. I've been using...

Microsoft Security Essentials for the past few weeks, and I am happy. I don't even know it's there, which is how it should be. I used to use AVG, but when they upgraded the product, I ran into some glitches in the installation.

[david13]

9. Help old people? Yeah, help them get screwed. I just checked,

and I never sign up for auto pay on anything. Well, I found I was signed up for auto pay elsewhere. I think they sign you up on their own.
dc

[UTUSN]

12. Those thick Indian accents will get you all the time!1 n/t

[the blues]

14. Heh. Actually, I like Indian accents. They are melodic.

But let these guys use their own names, you know? We're not that frightened by names that are less common in the U.S. Hell, we elected a president named Barack, give us some credit.

[havocmom]

15. Interesting. McAfee did a pop up reminder on our 'puter today

Havocdad took that cancerous program off the machine almost two years ago. He just clicked the X to close the pop-up window. Low and behold, a new one opened up, thanking him for renewing.

He checked the account he uses for online purchases, and surprise (NOT) McAfee had indeed charged him for something he did not purchase.

Phone calls were made. Lovely lady in India assured him it would be credited back to his account, eventually.

What the hell is goin on? The corporations aren't even trying to hide the robberies anymore.

[meow2u3]

16. I fixed that one

I changed my credit card info to a debit card on which I keep very little money. This way, my ex-frenemy can't use my information to renew her antivirus software. :evilgrin:

[the blues]

17. That won't stop them.

And then you'll get charged for the overdraft. Best to switch to a bogus number, if the software will let you.

[insanity]

19. It is crap software.

Bloated and slow.

Free tools like basic AVG do a better job and consume less memory while they do it.