A complaint I can't get resolved by Piriform. Suggestions?

[Chris Frazier]

I have twice written to Piriform with this complaint and have yet to receive a response. A few days ago, I was asked to donate $20.00 (actually an unspecified amount at first). I was led to believe that I would, in return, get a "free" download of CCleaner. My PayPal account was debited $20.00. When I tried to download, I received a message that I had to pay another $29.95 for the full program. So, I removed as much of CCleaner as I could from my computer and asked for a refund to my bank account. I have received no refund and no response to my two complaints. Also, my computer is now running much more slowly, leading me to believe that my registry has been infected or commandeered by something akin to "Side by Side." Spyware, malware, or something of the sort. How do I get a refund from Piriform, and how can I remove whatever Piriform seems to have installed in my registry? Your help and advice will be appreciated.

 

 

Chris Frazier

[kroozer]

I'm afraid you've been duped by somebody masquerading as Piriform. In addition to taking your money they've installed malware on your computer. CCleaner is 100% free.

 

Get your official CCleaner from here http://filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

 

Edit: We members are not permitted to help you deal with malware. Post your malware issue in Spyware Hell and an expert will help you remove the malware. As for getting your money refunded, I suggest you contact your bank/card provider.

I remember seeing a similar post in the past, and hope another member will come to your aid and provide more advice.

[hazelnut]

You have indeed been duped I'm afraid.

 

Ccleaner is totally free to all.

 

Follow the steps here what you can and then post the logs as instucted in the Spyware Hell part of the forum

 

http://forum.piriform.com/index.php?showtopic=20120

[redhawk]

If I recall correctly PayPal has procedures for reimbursing money up a certain amount if a purchased made was unsatisfactory or obtained by fraud / deception.

 

Richard S.

[slowday444]

If I recall correctly PayPal has procedures for reimbursing money up a certain amount if a purchased made was unsatisfactory or obtained by fraud / deception.

 

Richard S.

CORRECT!!! Chris Frazier you need to contact PP ASAP!

[ident]

I wouldn't get your hopes up with getting refunded by paypal.

[Ishi]

Where did you download CCleaner exactly??? This forum has been getting complaints of paid CCleaner versions but your case is worse because you lost $20 and you are having trouble with the refund. Perhaps you can show us a screenshot of this paid CCleaner version with the dialog box asking to purchase the product shown.

[Alan_B]

You have indeed been duped I'm afraid.

 

Ccleaner is totally free to all.

 

Follow the steps here what you can and then post the logs as instucted in the Spyware Hell part of the forum

 

http://forum.piriform.com/index.php?showtopic=20120

 

Chris

 

Two days later and no further response from you.

 

Since you have only 1 post total I guess you have not bothered with Spyware Hell.

 

Have you credit card information on the P.C. ?

That could be in use (unless they have already exceeded your credit limit).

 

Every day you delay is another day in which you could be guilty of bad things,

e.g. as part of a Botnet you could be spamming the world,

or downloading and distributing illegal content as part of a Botnet.

 

Alan

[marmite]

Chris

 

Whilst I wouldn't be quite as melodramatic as Alan in pushing a 'spam-the-world' guilt-trip on you, I would strongly recommend following Hazelnut's advice and post in the 'Spyware Hell' forum. If indeed your PC is infected then you will receive first-class assistance in cleaning your system. And if it's clean you may be somewhat happier.

[ident]

Chris

 

Whilst I wouldn't be quite as melodramatic as to be pushing a 'spam-the-world' guilt-trip on you

 

The next Leo Kuvayev????

[marmite]

The next Leo Kuvayev????

Wow, had to google that one ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Kuvayev

[ident]

Check out the thread i made on the internet in the lounge marmite. Goes into detail about him.

[Alan_B]

Marmite

 

Chris has installed fake software supplied by what appear to be criminals.

They took his money, and then asked for more.

Who knows what facilities for their benefit have been installed and remain.

 

He reports that his computer is much slower.

Perhaps they have damaged some settings.

Or perhaps it is working just as fast as it was,

but 80% of its CPU cycles are now working for them instead of Chris.

 

If it was my computer I would fully investigate.

If it was my computer I would be alarmed.

Since it is not my computer, I guess I am an alarmist ! !

 

Alan

[marmite]

Completely agree Alan ... and if you?d phrased it like that originally, I wouln?t have batted an eyelid

[Ishi]

So Alan, how will you investigate this if this happened in your computer???

[Alan_B]

So Alan, how will you investigate this if this happened in your computer???

 

Firstly I would run Process Explorer from Sysinternals to see what was using all the CPU cycles.

 

I would like to know more about what happened,

and whether there might be a rootkit

(I believe some rootkits may hide in places other than C:\ and the MBR.)

 

I would also compare size and time stamps of all files and folders in C:\ with R:\,

because R:\ was used as destination for proving correct restorability of the latest Acronis system drive image.

This comparison takes about 5 minutes.

I always use this comparison before making a new image and that reminds me of things I regret,

e.g. stuff I downloaded and tested and rejected but forgot to un-install.

I assume it might show me something extra which I never permitted.

 

I would follow Hazelnuts advice and get assistance to deal with any malware.

 

At the end of the day I would probably restore a previous system drive image.

 

Regards

Alan