Laptop Repair Scams

A recent Sky news investigation revealed that Laptop repair shops are illegally accessing customer data, charging for non-existant 'repair work' , charging for parts that were never changed or replaced and even attempting to logon to bank accounts with data retrieved from customer laptops!

In one instance, passwords, log-ins and personal photographs were all transferred to a portable memory stick by a shop laptop technician.
A representative of the UK Trading Standards Institute said he was "shocked" by the findings.
The operation was carried out by outfitting a brand new laptop with surveillance software

The Laptop worked covertly so every event that took place on the computer was logged.

All screen activity was captured to still images, and the identity of the user was recorded using the laptop's internal camera.
A simple , easily diagnosable fault was then created by Sky engineers. The connection of the built in ram chip was loosened. Windows was unable to load. In order to rectify this simple problem , all a technician would have to do is to gently push the ram chip into it's slot.
Of all six repair shops that were checked, five misdiagnosed the problem

The engineer identified the real fault then called the customer (an undercover reporter) and reported that the motherboard needed to be replaced for £130.

There was nothing wrong with the motherboard in tests conducted later.

The surveillance software then showed a technician going through the files on the hard-disk, including private documents and personal holiday photos, including some of our reporter in her bikini.

He was recorded going through the files, smiling and showing the pictures to a colleague.
Later, a second Laptop technician starts up the laptop and also looks through the photos, which are inside a folder marked 'private'.

He inserts a memory stick into the laptop then transfers files, including passwords and photos, into a folder labelled "mamma jammas" on his memory stick
A document containing passwords for Facebook, Hotmail, eBay and a NatWest bank account were also transferred.

The technician then attempted to access these accounts, including the bank account for five minutes.
He was unsuccessful because the details were fake.

Many of us today need reliable Laptop services as the laptop has become a big part of our lives.

Options
What can we do?
Look for a reliable shop, preferably a shop that's also a laptop dealer in your brand, Acer, Toshiba, H.P, as a manufacturer has a great deal to lose if any of their authorised dealers are caught cheating.It's not easy to get dealership status as Laptop manufacturers do not give away dealership status without some kind of deposit and after carrying out company background checks.

Ask friends, if someone has overcharged you or ripped you off, you will remember. You'll know where not to go. Also if someone had a good experience, they'll be more than happy to share it.
Another way is to look for shops that advertise in the newspapers and web. Since they do an honest job, or rather treat the business like a business and not a fly by night shop, they would also have an advertising budget. They are not afraid of a high profile as they are doing business honestly.

Another method is to look at the prices of items sold in the shops. Most good laptop shops stock branded peripherals and charge accordingly. Ripoff shops stock the cheap stuff and mark it up, thinking that most people don't really know the difference.
It's true. Most of us are simply too busy to look twice. If a mouse fails- get a new one. Printer not printing properly - get new ink.

The situation has changed drastically over the past year with the current economic crisis. Every cent counts, so it's time to be careful and not getted ripped off next time you visit the Laptop shop.This is an essential service and if you are a little careful, you can avoid being scammed.



Read the news report




























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