Pop-up Calls

[sach_nyc]

Hi Guys,

I am new to remote tech support business. I need an advice from experts.

We are currently advertising on bing.com and getting leads from there for tech support calls. These users see our ad and call us for support and we fix their issue and also sell our support plan.

Besides this, I see lots of offering from companies who sell pop-up or pop-under tech support calls. These are actually calls from customers whose pc have some kind of adware infection which shows warning on pcs that their computer have been infected with multiple viruses or requires driver updates or very slow and may show some well known security company logo like norton. These adware was installed on user computer when they visited infected site or through p2p file networks like emule or may be porn sites. So, these guys have a toll free number which user calls and then they route calls to your toll free number, if you buy, say 100 calls.

I am interested in knowing whether it's legal to buy calls from these guys and provide support to end users to actually remove the adware and do their pc maintenance? Is it risky?

Thanks in advance for your valuable suggestions.

Sal

 

[trevm999]

Uhh...you would be funding the people who infect computers with malware so that you can make money by removing it?

 

[jkurgeek]

You'd feel comfortable doing business with someone whose business is built on screwing the customer first?

How is the conversation with the customer going to go when you explain that the thing that lead them to you was a thing that needed to be fixed?

"I broke your stuff because I want to fix it for you" is the only sales pitch they're gonna hear.

 

[Bryce W]

You'll be funding malware creators. Its dodgy both business wise and morally.
The golden rule is "If you have to ask whether its legal/moral, it probably isnt".

 

[mraikes]

Nah - that'd be a waste of good money.

Go right to the source. Maybe create a popup that blocks the user's access to the computer until they contact you or send you something. Like money!? Wait - Bitcoins!

And maybe, strictly for their own protection of course so they don't inadvertently launch an infected file, you could hide - No, No, ENCRYPT! their documents so they can't click on anything until you're able to "help" them out.

Yeah . . . that's the ticket!

 

[sach_nyc]

Thanks

Uhh...you would be funding the people who infect computers with malware so that you can make money by removing it?

This is what I exactly thought. Thanks for input.

 

[sach_nyc]

Right

You'd feel comfortable doing business with someone whose business is built on screwing the customer first?

How is the conversation with the customer going to go when you explain that the thing that lead them to you was a thing that needed to be fixed?

"I broke your stuff because I want to fix it for you" is the only sales pitch they're gonna hear.

You are right. All this adware/malware stuff is unethical. I came to know that it's big market and people are making lots of money from it. However, I stay away if it's unethical. I always contact my lawyer to get opinion on such stuff so that's what I am going to do after getting suggestions here. One company who sells popup calls told me that I am not liable for infection of computer so I need not worry. Still, you are right, If one buys calls, he is funding the business of adware/malware.

Sal

 

[sach_nyc]

right

You'll be funding malware creators. Its dodgy both business wise and morally.
The golden rule is "If you have to ask whether its legal/moral, it probably isnt".

Right. Thanks for input.

 

[jkurgeek]

I always contact my lawyer to get opinion on such stuff so that's what I am going to do after getting suggestions here. One company who sells popup calls told me that I am not liable for infection of computer so I need not worry. Still, you are right, If one buys calls, he is funding the business of adware/malware.

Liability wouldn't concern me as much as looking like a con artist. Remember that you're in a service business, and the quality of your service is what's going to make you money. If someone slashed the tires of your car and left a business card offering to fix it, would you trust them?

Ethics are important, but even if it checks out legally, if it also makes you look like a jerk, you aren't going to keep customers.

 

[sach_nyc]

Who will help?

Liability wouldn't concern me as much as looking like a con artist. Remember that you're in a service business, and the quality of your service is what's going to make you money. If someone slashed the tires of your car and left a business card offering to fix it, would you trust them?

Ethics are important, but even if it checks out legally, if it also makes you look like a jerk, you aren't going to keep customers.

Thanks for input. Only difference here is that I am not slashing tires. It was slashed by a group who sent me message that they did their job and now it's my turn to make money and give them their price for lead. Now, questions is - who is going to fix the tire? tire is flat anyway. Another point is that, car owner thinks tire is slashed due to nobody fault...it just happens while driving. Remember, adware "looks like" real warning from antivirus software or it is a real infection to the computer.

Sal

 

[seedubya]

Honestly ----- sorry that's the wrong word for this thread so let's try again....

Your replies come across to me as insincere - all I'm hearing is "but they're infected already. SOMEBODY has to fix them, why not me?" along with "if I do this, do you think I'll get away with it?". I don't hear any ethical query in there at all. Your surname's not Maroni, is it?

 

[jkurgeek]

Your surname's not Maroni, is it?

Can we tag this thread "that's a nice computer ya got there, shame if somethin' were to happen to it"?

 

[trevm999]

Thanks for input. Only difference here is that I am not slashing tires. It was slashed by a group who sent me message that they did their job and now it's my turn to make money and give them their price for lead. Now, questions is - who is going to fix the tire? tire is flat anyway. Another point is that, car owner thinks tire is slashed due to nobody fault...it just happens while driving. Remember, adware "looks like" real warning from antivirus software or it is a real infection to the computer.

Sal

Except that these guys wouldn't be out slashing tires unless someone was paying them to put a tire shop's flyer on the windshield after. Sure, it may have been the tire slasher's idea to do it, but essentially they are being paid to slash tires. But at least it keeps them from selling coke...

 

[25dollarsupport]

Get ready for Charge-back

 

[sach_nyc]

added words

Honestly ----- sorry that's the wrong word for this thread so let's try again....

Your replies come across to me as insincere - all I'm hearing is "but they're infected already. SOMEBODY has to fix them, why not me?" along with "if I do this, do you think I'll get away with it?". I don't hear any ethical query in there at all. Your surname's not Maroni, is it?

You are adding words to my sentences and manipulating meanings. I have already said earlier that pop-call business is unethical and my last post shows what "unethical business" are thinking while they are fixing popup call issues. Also, I am saying other side of story i.e customer story. Truth is that, yes, they are infected. isn't it? and they need help. They have malware/adware in system and who knows what else. Now what options customer has since we consider fixing their computer unethical. I had this discussion with some other people in business and we can came to conclusion that these people are infected because of their own mistake, bad surfing habits and lack of education. So, Though they need help, they also need to get educated and go online and find ethical business who can fix their issue rather than calling number on the popup.

 

[sach_nyc]

No

Get ready for Charge-back

Not really. we aren't in that business.

 

[sach_nyc]

Right

Except that these guys wouldn't be out slashing tires unless someone was paying them to put a tire shop's flyer on the windshield after. Sure, it may have been the tire slasher's idea to do it, but essentially they are being paid to slash tires. But at least it keeps them from selling coke...

right, not supporting popup issues is one way to help