The Office of the Attorney General of the State of Florida has filed a series of complaints alleging that four South Florida companies — (1) ASAP Tech Help LLP, (2) E-Racer Tech LLC, (3) Protech Support LLC d/b/a Rapid Tech Support, and (4) Techfix USA LLC d/b/a Smart Support and First Class Tech Support — engaged in a ruthless telemarketing scheme through which each company allegedly marketed deceptive computer software and tech support services to consumers that were little more than false promises aimed at bilking consumers of millions of dollars.
According to the lawsuits, each company used software — such as pop-up ads warning of viruses or other malware — designed to trick consumers into thinking that there were problems with their home and office computers. The software directed consumers to call the companies, which then subjected those consumers to high-pressure deceptive sales pitches for tech support products and services to fix their non-existent computer problems. By preying upon consumers’ lack of technical knowledge, the companies were able to convince consumers that their computers were fraught with viruses and a multitude of computer errors for which those consumers purportedly needed security software and tech support services that typically cost between $99 and $600. In all, the companies were able convince numerous consumers that the non-existent problems actually did exist, and each company made huge profits in the process.
In November 2014, Florida’s Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission obtained temporary restraining orders against two other South Florida-based tech companies (Inbound Call Experts LLC d/b/a Advanced Tech Support and Advanced Tech Supportco LLC) with similar deceptive schemes marketing and selling computer support services and software. The Attorney General now believes that some of the newly-charged scammers are former employees of the companies named in the November lawsuits.
“Businesses who prey upon consumers’ lack of knowledge about technology, especially seniors, to make a profit are ruthless,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “We have seen an exponential growth of these particular scams in South Florida over the past few years, and we will not tolerate them.”-
Silver Law Group has successfully recovered multi-million dollar awards for its clients in a wide variety of fraud cases throughout the country and abroad. If you have questions about your legal rights, or have been the victim of telemarketing fraud or high-pressure sales pitches attempting to convince you to purchase needless computer software and computer repair services, contact Scott L. Silver to discuss your legal matter in a free consultation. CONTACT: Silver Law Group, 11780 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs, FL 33065; Telephone: (800) 975-4345 (Toll Free); Web site:www.silverlaw.com; E-mail: ssilver@silverlaw.com.