If you’ve experienced problems with Avast Software as described on this site, feel free to tell us and everyone else about it here.
If you’ve experienced problems with Avast Software as described on this site, feel free to tell us and everyone else about it here.
Glad I found it wasn’t just me. I called due to constant Avast popups saying “threat has been detected” then I’d click the supposed threat and it wouldn’t show anything. Assuming maybe it was an Avast problem, I called the 24×7 line offered. When I called I spoke to someone with an accent (not sure from where) who said he’d need to login in to remotely control my computer to see the problem. I trusted him, as he was from the official Avast site. He brought up All these “errors” and even clicked random folders saying it was hacked and kept saying how “this is not very common to see with avast users. I apologize ma’am. This is definitely unusual for avast members to experience. ” and went on saying he can fix it by Co trolling my computer for a few hours. I was all for the idea (again trusting avast as they are so well known) until he told me it would cost $119. And that if I took it anywhere else they would charge me WAY more than that. I told him I’d need to wait to check and see what my husband thinks. This is the conversation I had below:
Me: OK well I will need to check with my husband to see if he wants to spend that much right now.
Avast: well… how long do you think THAT would take?
Me: um…. I don’t know. He’s at work so ….
Avast: you can’t just call him at work?
Me: no… I don’t want to bother him when it isn’t really an emergency.
Avast: you can’t just approve the offer yourself?
Me: I can but I make my decision’s together with my husband.
Avast: well when will he be off of work?
Me: maybe around 8…. (not that it was really his business )
Avast: OK well we will have a representative call you around 8.
After that annoying persistence and honestly …. invasion of privacy that I felt, I was like “no way am I going to pay them. They seem money hungry”
I decided to just backup my files and factory reset my computer. Unfortunately now from reading different reviews, I feel like maybe I did that for no reason. Maybe I wasn’t really hacked like the man said. -__-
Just thought I’d share my story and say thank you for letting everyone see these details on this site. So glad I didn’t pay those creeps. Now I regret ever buying the $20 security from them in the first place.
I have used Avast for over 10 years. I first started using avast when I upgraded my son’s computer to Windows XP 64 bit OS. Since McAfee & Norton didn’t offer a 64-bit version at that time and stated nothing about going to, I searched the internet and found Avast free. I have been very happy with it. I install it on all the computers that I work on and fix for others. I always recommend that people only use the Avast free version since that is all people typically need. The other services in the paid version are usually unnecessary. I have never had a problem with the Avast software. I have only had a need to contact their tech support one time for something a long time ago. I cannot remember what the particular problem I had, but I was never offered or told I had to purchase anything from them. In addition, I have been working with computers since 1979 and fix computers for others as a hobby. It appears that there are lots of companies out there that are always trying to get more money from people. For example, Best Buy’s Geek Squad is a prime example. I have had many people bring me their computers to fix after they paid Best Buy to “fix” their computers. I will have to contact Avast’s technical support just to see for myself. Have a great day.
I purchased the 79 dollar version of avast and could not enter the activation code and called them up to get guidance. They took control of my computer the way many technical aid services do. I wonder now if they have put something on my computer. “Kathleen” with an almost unintelligible foreign accent futzed around in my computer using up an hour of cell time (I only have a cell) and tried to sell me on a 179 dollar “plan”. I had to badger her for 10 minutes in order for her to show me how to put in the activation code. Then I tried to use the program. It wanted 35 more dollars just to optimize my system a la pcmatic. this is a scam scam scam!!!!
I refreshed my computer- leaving the windows operating system in its original default state and uninstalling everything- including my Premium Avast. When I tried to reinstall it the install button was grayed out- so I called the support number. My computer was “checked out” and I was pointed to the windows reliability meter as a sign that my computer had issues. It was at a 7. I tried to get a number to call back and discuss it with my husband. But instead I was talked into putting the salesman (I won’t call him a tech support guy) on hold while I discussed it briefly with him. So I forked out the $179 dollars and they scanned, cleaned, looked at, reinstalled etc. I have no problem with that– but strangely enough the SAME reliability meter that they used to scare me into buying the service has degraded down to between 5 and 7. Soooo— either they lied about how important it was to get me to buy the service– or they haven’t done what they need to to fix it. The techs seem to be friendly enough, and have helped install software etc. But if my “reliability” doesn’t go up– they may not feel as friendly since I will call every single day– until it does, or until they admit they lied. After all– I was informed that the purchase of the service was not refundable– so I may as well get my money’s worth.
I have been trying to cancel the auto renewal. I spent a long time on the phone talking to someone who I could not understand, I told them never mind I would find another way to cancel and hung up. I received a call from AVAST he asked what the problem was with my computer, I told him what I wanted and was told we can’t help you this is tech support. I asked if there was a number to call he said he didn’t know. I hope I can convince my credit card bank to consider this a fraud and close this account.
I didn’t want to pay for premium service so I unsubscribed from the free trial which was supposed to keep them from upgrading to premium. Today 09/02/15 my credit card was charged $34.99 so I called them to complain and I apparently got a foreign country because the person who answered was very hard to understand but I got my complaint through to him and his response was “call your bank to resolve your problem” I am embarrassed that I got snookered by these crooks.
I too had the same experiencies as Jess, Larry and Jim, and others. I was mad and frustrated, but now i want blood. I also went for the 60 day Free trial and they charged me $39.99 then again for $34.99- a total of $74.98. I had opted not to have automatic renewal, but they ignored it. I un- installed everything. The debits on my account put me in overdraft status along with a bank charge of $27.00. I am 81 years old, living on pensions and can hardly make it from month to month. I didn’t know whom to turn to to stop this company from this fraud occuring again. I wrote to Avast in Branfor, CT, which I now realize was a waste of time. Also tried to contact FCC. What can I do to get the money back and stop this company from their awful practices.
I opted to include the Avast computer clean up on my Avast account and paid £19.99 for it. I downloaded the programme as instructed but it would not accept the registration number I had been given. There was a telephone number in case of problems which I called. After several minutes I was told my computer had serious problems which prevented the Avast clean up programme going live and also slowed up my machine. I was then “transferred” to a specialist team after being told I could pay £179 to sort out the problem and give me a whole year’s cover. I was a bit wary but thought it was Avast so should be o.k. but said I could not afford £179 so they offered to fix everything for £79. I paid this amount and they took over the computer and after 20 minutes then told me everything was o.k.
The Avast clean up programme was now live but my computer was exactly the same as before.
I sent two emails to Avast telling them what happened and I wanted a refund. No response. Two days ago I received a phone call from the “agent” who had fixed my computer to see if everything was o.k. No doubt to try to sell me something else. I told him I was not happy, my computer was no different and I had already complained to Avast because I thought this was a scam. He hung up the phone! I dialled 1471 to find out the number but it was with-held.
I sent another email to Avast telling them it was a definite scam and to respond or I would report the matter to the relevant ombudsman and they acknowledged the email but still have not heard from them.
Cannot believe Avast could take their customers for a ride like this. Once my contract is finished I wil never used this company again.
Avast are straight out thieves. I have used them for several years and have been stolen from several times. The first part of their scam is to give you no choice in automatic renewal of contract so depending how you paid you have to cancel yourself which may even mean having to cancel your credit card and the bother of getting a new one. One of their programs I had bought was their VPN and apart from the fact that it often didn’t work one day it said I had to buy it even though I still had six months left on my contract. I rang ‘that’ phone number and was told that my licence was probably out of date even though clearly my contract said I wasn’t and he ( the man on the phone) offered my zero help.I also had bought their ‘Premier Antivirus and the Cleanup, last week, although it had just done a scan a popup appeared saying that I had to buy it and no matter what i did to convince it I still had a full 12 months to go on my contract, I cant get it to activate. I got in touch with Avast and they said as I bought it from a company called ‘Digital Rivers it is not their problem and YET when I successfully login to http://www.Avast.com they say my ‘Avast Premier and my “Avast Cleanup licences are good for nearly another 12 months. So I wasted a couple days trying to get their programs to work finally gave up and have uninstalled. So I don’t recommend Avast or Digital Rivers who ever they are and While I’m at it I highly recommend everybody to AVOID a outfit called ‘Hermon Street’ as you will be tricked into thinking you are buying from the manufacture when you’re not. Sorry I know that is off topic but there are just so many rouges out there.
I was told I had to pay 119 dollars to fix the problem because I had McAfee installed on computer. At no point in the installation was I made aware of this. I think all that was done is they ran the upgraded program I had bought. Who or what agency can I contact?
Thanks,
I found it impossible to cancel the auto-renew after many attempts. In the end I cancelled my credit card.
I would never buy from this company and would warn others to do so at their peril.
I have asked for my money back on Mon, Nov 23, 2015, I sent them this msg:
Avast is not working on my computer I purchased premier security 3 year license, tried to go through tech support multiple times they sent me multiple license every time it kept saying the file has been corrupted or modified, please refund me so I can redownload the software from scratch.
On Dec 9, 2015 a one pitch her name is “Selma K.” replied with this stupid info, like a robot:
Dear Michael
Thank you for your message.
We understand that you could not activate the program.
Regarding the isue, even though you have done it previously, I’d recommend to completely uninstall Avast using Uninstall Utility and then reinstall.
Note: if you have any other antivirus, firewall, or any other security software, please uninstall it/them completely, if possible.
Uninstallation procedure:
1) Please use the Avast Uninstall Utility. You can download it at: http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avastclear.exe
3) Run ‘avastclear.exe’.
2) Press “Yes” when prompted to start Windows in Safe Mode and continue with the uninstallation.
4) After uninstallation is complete, restart your PC.
Instructions with screenshots can be found here: https://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB10#artTitle
Reinstallation procedure:
1) Download the latest version of Avast from this page: https://www.avast.com/download-thank-you.php?product=PRE-ONLINE&locale=en-ww
2) Save it on your Desktop.
3) Double-click on the installation file
4) Finally, insert your license file to activate your Avast to FULL VERSION. Your license file is attached to this message.
Instructions to insert the license file is found at this page: http://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB7#articleContent
If we can be of further assistance, please reply to this message. When
replying, please be sure to include this and any other relevant
correspondence in your message.
Kind regards,
Selma K.
Customer Retention Specialist
AVAST Software s.r.o.
http://www.avast.com
WTF, I asked again for refund, and on Dec 10, 2015 the same pitched understood my request finally, and here you can see her reply:
Dear customer,
We have received your inquiry.
As per your request, please accept this e-mail as a confirmation of your refund (order number: 13532622462 ) being approved for processing.
We have now notified our online shop of the refund, they will arrange this transaction, and notify you in due course.
Please be aware, you will receive a confirmation e-mail, which requires you to accept terms & conditions of the refund policy in order to finalize the process, and that it can take up to 15 business days to complete the refund transaction.
Best regards,
Selma K.
Customer Retention Specialist
AVAST Software s.r.o.
http://www.avast.com
This is my story with this company, and I will never use their products again.
Those people are real thieves, and sucks, they charged my credit card without my authorization, and when I asked for refund (that was on Nov 21, 2015, I received a reply from one of their idiots-her name is ( Selma K. – Tue, 8 Dec at 5:13 PM)
Replied to : gperkin1@rochester.rr.com
Dear customer,
We have received your inquiry.
Your Avast Internet Security subscription was renewed, because your original order (order number: 13978097642) had an automatic renewal service active.
The automatic renewal was agreed with during the original purchase.
I would like to point out, that your Avast subscription is transferable to another computer.
The only limitation is, that you cannot use it simultaneously on more than three machines.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Selma K.
Customer Retention Specialist
AVAST Software s.r.o.
http://www.avast.com
I find your website, I hope that you publish my story with this company, and I advice everyone not to use AVAST Software products at all.
I have just been ripped of by Avast THEY DID NOT TELL ME THAT SUBSCRIPTION CHARGES WERE ON GOING I WOULD NEVER KNOWINGLY USE
ON GOING DIRECT DEBITS WITH ANYONE. IN NOVEMBER MY COMPUTER WAS HACKED ALL SECURITY WIPED OFF AND FIRE WALLS SO THEIR PRODUCT DID NOT WORK DID IT. I HAD NO INTENTIONS OF RENEWING BUT WITHOUT NOTIFICATION THEY HAVE CHARGED MY CC FOR 34.99. I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCOUNT NUMBER.OR A PASSWORD. I PHONED AND THEY SCREAMED AT ME DOWN THE PHONE AND SAID THEY WOULD NOT PAY IT BACK.I HAD TO GO TO THE WEBSITE. AFTER THE HACKING I CHANGED MY PROVIDER AND E MAIL ADDRESS SO AVAST WEBSITE CANNOT TRACE ME. I NO LONGER HAVE AVAST PRODUCTS ON MY COMPUTER SO WHY SHOULD I PAY A FEE FOR THIS YEAR. I WANT IT BACK WHEN IS SOMEONE GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS COMPANY I THINK ITS A CASE FOR THE FRAUD SQUAD. DO THEY HAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS HAD 3 EMAILS RETURNED UN ACCEPTED
BR
I wish I had read all of this before signing on with these crooks! I had an automatic debit from my account for 68.56 from Avast (my account shows their name on the charge) yet when I contacted their customer support I first got a gentleman who had very poor English and sounded as if he was in a tunnel. I asked to speak to his supervisor and then got a better English speaking gentleman, however it was still difficult to understand him. He asked for authorization to share my computer to see if this was an unauthorized charge. I agreed and now fear ive made yet another mistake with these ppl. He agreed it was an unauthorized charge but says it wasn’t them I was apparently hacked and if I did not pay them 149.00 for more protection they (the so called hackers) could empty my account. I said I was not paying them anything else. I explained for the 20th time that my bank account plainly says AVAST took the money out! The call ended with me calling my bank and canceling my card, and tomorrow filing a fraud form at my bank. Ive looked in my computer files and can not even find an avast program anymore. Avast was not working for me so I factory reset my computer and I figured I had lost it in factory reset, how do I know for sure this crap is off my computer?!
No solution with these crooks but to contact your credit card company or bank, and dispute the mentioned charge, you can report them to BBB.
I really should have read these things before I got my friend to officially convince me to start using this software. I already had Norton on my computer, but he said that Avast is much better than Norton. It did everything that I needed it to do and it was all free. After a few days that I’ve had it, I decided to check the purchase part of the software. Just to look at it, nothing else. Somehow the order autofilled with my paypal?
Next thing I know is that it’s charging me $60.84 for some fake license. On paypal it shows that the order came from “DigitalRiver US Inc”. What is this site? I went and looked at the site and it was completely irrelevant to Avast!. It says that their contact information is 952-646-5037; atlanticpaypalcs@digitalriver.com
I’m not sure if this is happening to everyone, but I’m honestly freaking out about this right now. my bank account could be at risk and I’m not sure what I can do about this.
Hey mate, your friend should pay that bill. 🙂
FYI, these crooks are doing their business through DigitalRiver US Inc, to have your money, you need to call DigitalRiver US Inc, or contact your paypal, and dispute the mentioned charge.
As you can see from my story with them, their staff such as that harlot ( Selma K ) will just waste your time…..
I am recent Avast victim. I had been using the free version for two years when a charge for $42.39 appeared on my credit card statement. The charge came with a different name: Dri, and a phone number. I called that number before contacting my bank and got a barely understandable person. Somehow she managed to cancel my automatic upgrade, which I had never requested or received, and she gave me a web site where I could get a refund. The site belonged to the Better Business Bureau! I read through a litany of Avast complaints but found no refund advice. The most disturbing thing is, how did Avast or Dri get my credit card information? After much searching I found an Avast forum that seemed hopeful but ended up being just another obstacle on my way to a refund. I was required to enter my order number (which I didn’t have because I never ordered anything) on a so-called “ticket”. Of course the forum was filled with complaints from people who had actually submitted “tickets” for refunds and were still waiting for the money. Hopefully my bank can block the charge and I will get a refund from them. Thanks for listening.
Good morning Lowell,
I have the same story with this company, I ask them via their website-support page, to return my Money ASAP. It was not authorized. I did not pay of a year then be charged twice this month after paying last month, and cancel this subscription.
I follow the recommendation of ( Gary R Perkins) which you can see above:
January 21, 2016 at 8:00 pm
No solution with these crooks but to contact your credit card company or bank, and dispute the mentioned charge, you can report them to BBB.
Same here. Had the free one for two years. Never did I give my bank card info out. Now i get charged $52.52 for something i never bought. I bypassed calling avast and digital river..called my bank disputed and cancelled card. To my suprise my bank said i would have my money back in 48 hrs! And a new card so they can never charge me again.. I will however un install avast as soon as i get home from work and find another antivirus program…and will search for scams like avast first!!! I want to know however how the hell they got my card number since I never gave it to them. Makes me wonder if there is a hack in that software!!??
Wow friend that really sucks and from what I gather you said you did not provide them with your credit card information, so that tells me they have access to your credit card information.
I know that was ten months ago but I hope you blocked them from charging your credit card.
My story is a little different but echos the underhanded thievery that is going on at AVAST.
I too used the free version for years and all the sudden a couple weeks ago, Avast prompted me with a pop up stating I needed to upgrade or register the product to continue receiving protection.
So I agreed to register with my email address and thought it would not be problem.
Then moments after registering the product for another alleged “Free Year” my computer started showing numerous signs that I had been infected by freezing my screen and not allowing me to shut down and several other tell tale signs of a virus.
I tried everything from rebooting to several system restores and then decided to call Avast to see if they would just remove the defective product.
It turns out they are located in the Middle East where they direct you when you call and they tried to first extort me out of $149.00, then went down to $49.99 as they needed to use special system tools that were necessary to remove their faulty product.
After hours of anguish and deliberation I decided to trash my tower and bought a new one.
This was a very expensive lesson learned and I will shout it from the highest mountain to NEVER USE AVAST !!!! EVER !!!!
to anyone who will listen.
The saddest part was that at one time they were an honest upstanding company whose product was one of the best rated free ware in all the land.
Now? They are the purveyors of scumbaggery in the highest degree.
I signed up for their 60 day trial. I had many problems and for a period of time I was unable to even use my computer. I had to go to Home Depot Geek Squad and have them remove their program. It was not working as it should have been on my computer.
I wrote them on (Sun, 24 Jan at 7:10 PM) this request:
I am requesting a refund to my account and that the Avast not automatically renew. I would appreciate you giving me a credit back to my account.
It has probably been a two to three weeks ago that I went to Home Depot when someone told me that they could help. It was some time before that that I was not able to use my computer at all. My service had been lagging and that is why I downloaded and bought your 60 day program. Things got worse after that.
I will wait to hear from you. Thanks for the renewal reminder. That gave me the information that I needed to cancel and request a refund.
I will wait to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Jacquelyn M. Scott
I will post here all the communication with their staff, and I want everyone to be away from those thieves:
Selma K. replied 10 days ago (Thu, 25 Feb at 11:08 AM)
Replied to : idlik2no@gmail.com
Dear Jacquelyn M. Scott,
We have received your inquiry.
Our records show that the order 8902303006 has not been renewed.
If we can be of further assistance, please reply to this message.
Kind regards,
Selma K.
Customer Retention Specialist
AVAST Software s.r.o.
http://www.avast.com
I replied 7 days ago (Sun, 28 Feb at 11:43 AM)
to : customer.care@avast.com
This was the first time I have seen anything to indicate that you are aware of my problem. I need someone to contact me as well as reimburse me for the money wasted. My phone is 207-621-4091.
Selma K. replied 5 days ago (Tue, 1 Mar at 11:02 AM)
Replied to : idlik2no@gmail.com
Dear Jacquelyn M. Scott,
We have received your inquiry.
Our records show that the order 8902303006 has not been renewed.
Your account has not been charged for this order. If you were charged by Avast products, could you please send us the copy of the charge?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance,
Kind regards,
Selma K.
Customer Retention Specialist
AVAST Software s.r.o.
http://www.avast.com
I replied a day ago (Fri, 4 Mar at 6:52 PM)
to : customer.care@avast.com
The issue has not been resolved and you are failing to address my first complaint. I would like to be reimbursed for what I paid to you and failed to get in return.
I am tired of skirting the issue. Please let me know how you plan to address this issue as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Jacquelyn Scott
I got my lesson, and I never ever deal with those thieves.
FYI. The third party company that claims to be “Avast Total Support” is Plumchoice Inc. Located in massachusetts.
They also are the third party claiming to be “HP SMARTFRIEND SERVICES”. Took some digging, but but i got em. Lets just say they have a high rollover rate… and they dont treat thier employees the way THEY SHOULD.
It gets even better. They are mostly remote techs that work out of there houses…all across the US. With exceptions of 3 call centers with some techs. Those 3 centers are costa rica(pray to god u dont get this place), colorado, and there headquarters in massachusetts. Regardless of location of the tech working with you, ALL calls are VOIP and are routed out of there headquarters in massachusetts.
You guys may post this where you want. Spread the word, its the 100% truth. Or you can call plumchoice yourself. 🙂
I am also an Avast victim, their program impact my laptop, I asked them of Tue, 9 Feb at 2:59 PM – to be reimbursed from the annual subscription I lately cancelled I uninstalled Avast from my computer. Its installation had totally upset my laptop, which lost most of its capacity and became barely usable.
I downloaded Avast and purchased the license because I thought it would make my life simpler and my job safer. It obviously didn’t fulfill its mission.
My experience with Avast has been terrible, and I like to be reimbursed from the £39.99 paid for this subscription.
After almost one month exactly of (Sat, 12 Mar at 12:26 AM), I received this reply:
Dear Pierre,
Thank you for contacting Avast software. We do apologize for our delayed reply and all inconvenience this may have caused.
We offer a 30 days money back guarantee from the date of purchase for all Avast programs. Unfortunately, on this occasion, it appears that you have missed the guaranteed period.
Regrettably, according to our refund policy I can not issue a refund for the order which was placed on 12/25/2015 when your first request for refund was placed on 02/09/2016.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require further information.
Blanka Pichova
Customer service department
AVAST Software s.r.o.
Any suggestions?