Canon Printer Owners Are Getting Scammed With These Fake Websites

There are few duties extra tiresome than getting a brand new printer correctly arrange. Somehow, it by no means works on the primary attempt, regardless of the make or mannequin. The gadget will most likely perform for 3 tries after which break down once more. It is a common frustration. But there are just a few individuals who have skilled extra lasting hardship than you’d anticipate whereas establishing their printer. Scammers have for years been preying on the unsuspecting, determined individuals who must obtain setup software program for his or her new printer. And it’s an enormous drawback for Canon, one of many world’s greatest printer manufacturers, specifically.

Gizmodo has discovered a number of pretend web sites run by scammers who declare to supply legit Canon printer drivers, a sort of software program that enables your working system to manage a particular piece of {hardware}. Gizmodo found the pretend web sites by submitting a FOIA request with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for client complaints about Canon. FTC Complaints about Robinhood, Binance, AirBnb, Venmo, and Tinder have revealed comparable patterns within the issues customers face when utilizing these web corporations’ providers.

The Canon rip-off is particular. The complaints are full of tales of people that had been merely looking for a Canon driver for his or her printers. The hapless customers discovered themselves on numerous completely different websites the place the pretend drivers would fail to obtain. After that, a chat field would seem and “customer service” would supply to diagnose the issue. Sometimes, the scammers would merely ask for cash to repair the imaginary drawback. Other occasions, the scammers would lure the unsuspecting victims into handing over distant entry to their computer systems.

There are additionally cellphone numbers on most of the websites that join customers with scammers who attempt to promote “support” packages whereas truly simply stealing cash.

The pretend web sites are pretty subtle and seem excessive in Google search outcomes. The drawback with Canon’s gadgets seems to be widespread sufficient that a web-based cottage business of theft can thrive. That many individuals are struggling to arrange their printers.

Some of the pretend Canon web sites:

• canonijcomsetup.com
• canon-com-ijsetup.com
• canon.com-ijsetup.com
• ij-start-canon.us
• ijcanonsetup.com
• printersetup.org/canon-printer-setup
• canonijstart.co
• ijstartcanon.com

Again, these are all rip-off web sites, and also you shouldn’t go to them. But we’re publishing the checklist of them right here as a result of it’s necessary to see simply how comparable these domains are to the actual factor.

One of the issues that enables Canon customers to get scammed is that the corporate’s official web site doesn’t at all times work. In reality, whereas making an attempt to load usa.canon.com, a respectable website, Gizmodo encountered an unexplained error. This, in fact, leads individuals to attempt different websites they discover by way of Google.

Canon didn’t reply to a number of requests for remark, and it’s unclear the corporate understands simply how prolific these scammers are. But there’s one company that is aware of: The FTC is sitting on tons of of complaints from customers who had been scammed whereas making an attempt to obtain Canon printer drivers. Gizmodo obtained complaints from 2021 and is publishing 21 of them under to assist others keep away from scams.

Unfortunately, Gizmodo is unable to confirm the claims made within the FTC complaints as a result of all figuring out info has been redacted by the FTC. But the tales are remarkably comparable and present a path of fraud that continues to at the present time. Needless to say, be sure you’re truly visiting Canon’s official web site earlier than downloading something. And for those who suppose you’re speaking to buyer assist and so they ask to remotely view your pc, don’t do it.

“This caller wouldn’t identify themselves but said I had just been scammed…”

I used to be on Canon’s web site to troubleshoot printer set up and referred to as what I believed was their assist line. I gave them distant entry to my pc and so they mentioned I had a lot of trojans in there and they’d give me tech assist as a substitute of McAfee for a one-time charge of $499 so I gave my bank card particulars over the cellphone. They mentioned their buyer quantity was [redacted] and put in on my pc a file of that identify, one thing referred to as CCleaner and ATF-Cleaner. But I began to get suspicious and I ended the decision.

I then obtained a name from [redacted] asking if I had simply talked to a so-called tech assist individual and asking if I had given my bank card particulars. I mentioned sure and requested who was calling. This caller wouldn’t determine themselves however mentioned I had simply been scammed and I ought to cancel my bank card, so I did that.

I now hold getting calls and voicemails now from so-called United IT (the scammers) from these two numbers: 800-596-1598 and 614-741-1613.

“They charged my $499.99 for a 7 year protection plan…”

I entered the net handle (ij.begin.cannon) for downloading a brand new Canon printer and bought redirected to an analogous url (ijstartcanon.com). I simply moved and have been busy burdened so despite the fact that I requested a number of questions and Garry did present me the msassistance.us web site, I bought ensnared within the concern that my pc had been hacked and I wanted instant help and went together with it. I gave them entry to my pc, they arrange my Canon printer and put in their Network Privacy Shield icon on Chrome. I’m taking my pc to a trusted service supplier and make certain it’s okay. I’m undecided in the event that they stole my id however my sense is that they’re simply making an attempt to promote a product I didn’t want. They charged my $499.99 for a 7 yr safety plan. Yes, I really feel actually silly however there it’s. I bought scammed. I’m disputing the cost through my bank card. The buyer assist numbers they gave me are 844-600-0806 and 844-600-0801.

“I shut it down because I got a bad feeling…”

While making an attempt to obtain the drivers from

My new printer this over took cannons weblink and so they Goto to my pc.

This is what I typed in: cannon.comijsetup

This it what took over: http:canon-com-ijsetup.com

I shut it down as a result of I bought a nasty feeling. Apple confirmed it appeared like a rip-off abs requested me to report it.

Someone must shut them down.

“I immediately received a call and was instructed to download the Ultraviewer application.”

I used to be in search of an answer to a printer concern and Google supplied a doable answer at https:www.canonprintersupportpro.us. While studying, a chat window appeared. Stephen tried to assist and supplied to open a bother ticket. He requested for my identify and cell quantity. I instantly obtained a name and was instructed to obtain the Ultraviewer utility. The utility enabled distant connectivity. I rigorously watched the person as he tried to troubleshoot. However, I turned uncomfortable once they had been wanting in areas that didn’t pertain to the printer or printer functions. At that point, I instructed the caller that I didn’t really feel comfy with the place they had been wanting. I ended the decision, uninstalled the Ultraviewer utility, disconnected my pc from the web and commenced a scan. The particular person was in my pc for about quarter-hour.

“I am filled with so much anxiety and disappointment”

I used to be making an attempt to arrange my new printer and I used the e-mail supplied for set up.

But I will need to have forgot so as to add a interval or a letter so I used to be despatched to a pretend Canon website. They had a chat field. I defined within the chat field that I wanted assist. They mentioned an individual would name me and so they did. The man claimed to be an worker from Canon. He requested for entry to my pc with the intention to achieve management of my display to assist me. This is the place I ought to have mentioned no however I didn’t. He gave me a code, I put it my pc, he gained entry. He pulled up a pair issues, downloaded packages that I didn’t acknowledge then he mentioned I can’t repair the issue, you have to a technician and that may value you $100. I mentioned no, he hung up. I referred to as him again, he answered, when he heard it was me he hung up once more. He went in and bought my IP handle. I’m full of a lot anxiousness and disappointment how might this occur to me.

The quantity he referred to as from was [redacted] my cellphone mentioned he referred to as from Oak Forrest, IL.

“He said he would fix it for $100.”

I used to be putting in a brand new Canon printer. When I began typing the web site I used to be directed to within the directions (ij.begin.canon) into my chrome browser handle on the prime I noticed a pop up under with that identify. Rather than finishing the typing, I clicked on that. This took me to the bogus web site that regarded like Canon. I didn’t discover it was mistaken.

I entered my printer data and it directed me to obtain the motive force. That try bought a deadly error. There was an on line chat assist field and I instructed them my concern. They had their tech name me. I then foolishly gave him entry to my pc. He used this system logmein. He ran some software program and I might see data scrolling. Then he instructed me my pc was contaminated and that was why I couldn’t set up any printer driver. He mentioned he would repair it for $100. I declined and, he tried to steer me however I used to be very hesitant (albeit a bit of too late) then we ended the decision amicably.

A couple of minutes later, after some looking out on line, I spotted I had been scammed.

“The gentlemen then asked us to use the quick access app on our Windows computer to share the screen with him.”

We had been following the directions to put in the drivers for a brand new Canon printer and ended up on the rip-off website. It ran what now seems to be a false try to put in after which gave us a deadly error message and instructed us to name a cellphone quantity. The gents then requested us to make use of the fast entry app on our home windows pc to share the display with him. We did and he ran some scan saying he was making an attempt to making an attempt to find the rip-off error message we had obtained. Whatever rip-off he ran confirmed a 3499 Trojans are discovered message after which he went on to inform us that our IP handle was unprotected and that we wanted to pay him $200 to have an authorized MS technician repair the issue and defend our pc. This is once we realized we had been in bother. I have no idea if he bought entry to something within the pc or not, or if it was only a rip-off to get us to pay him.

“Then he told me it would cost $99.99 to remove. I thought it was Canon so I said yes.”

I typed cannon as a substitute of canon (ought to have been ij.begin.canon) to arrange my printer. At the bogus website it mentioned there was a essential error when downloading the printer driver. A textual content message field popped up, I reported the issue and was instructed a tech would name. Jay Anderson referred to as and instructed me there was one thing like an IP bot that needed to be eliminated, I gave him distant management of my laptop computer, he confirmed me screens that appeared to again up what he mentioned. Then he instructed me it might value $99.99 to take away. I believed it was Canon so I mentioned sure. More screens confirmed that it could have been doing one thing, however he did obtain the motive force I wanted. When I went to pay, my bank card was declined. He turned determined at this level insisting that I contact my financial institution. At this level I turned suspicious. I instructed him he must launch management of my pc earlier than I’d go to the financial institution web site to examine the fee. He launched the pc I did attempt to make a fee pondering I needed to pay for providers however I couldn’t get them to simply accept the cost. He was much more determined till I bought offended and he mentioned he would name again the next day and I ought to persuade the financial institution to pay within the meantime. Instead I referred to as Canon customer support and came upon in regards to the rip-off website that I had been at. When Anderson referred to as again I instructed him I came upon it was a rip-off and hung up. I needed to block the quantity as he saved calling again. Then one other quantity did the identical factor, it could be associated however I'm undecided as a result of I didn’t reply: 614-664-6667. I can’t show it however I doubt there have been any bots on my laptop computer, I’ve Norton antivirus and do common scans. This is terrible, individuals generally tend to kind cannon simply out of behavior, they’re profiting from that. I hope you’ll be able to shut them down.

“I was connected with a man who said he could fix it if I let him remote in.”

I couldn’t get my new printer to put in. It mentioned deadly error, code (a bunch of numbers) contact assist..so I did. It began as a chat bubble and so they instantly directed me to a quantity to name tech assist. I used to be linked with a person who mentioned he might repair it if I let him distant in. Through askdesk, I allowed it. He confirmed me that my drivers had been all screwed up and that he and his buddy would do each computer systems and would get my printer put in very quickly. Offered 3 choices 100, 300 and $500 for the lifetime tech assist which included an antivirus…. he took my bank card quantity. …which btw, I canceled in time….He mentioned he could be an hour or so, so I ought to go about my enterprise. I watched him on and off and occur to see advert ware. At the identical time my child bought harm and it took me away from every thing as a result of she was bleeding….so then he referred to as again and was like okay all finished after which was making an attempt to push me for his or her banking safety plan….I used to be omg actually? And hung up. I had an IT skilled wipe my computer systems as quickly as I used to be in a position. He discovered malware , adware, and a few random different issues I don’t keep in mind. And these guys hold calling to ensure my printers working…..the quantity they name from is in Diamondale, MI.

“My browser auto-corrected to ij.start.cannon…”

I used to be making an attempt to setup my printer with drivers from the official web site. When I typed ij.begin.canon my browser auto-corrected to ij.begin.cannon which then directed me to the web site entered above. The drivers on the positioning wouldn’t set up and their on-line buyer assist setup a name. When they referred to as, they used Support-LogmeinRescue to realize entry to my pc and mentioned I had an IP battle or Botnet concern and I wanted to have it resolved earlier than I might add the printer. It appeared unusual on the cellphone, so I ended the decision after which realized it was a pretend website.

“I said no, and he became aggressive.”

Accidentally went to the mistaken web site to obtain a driver for my new Canon printer (additional n in Canon). I clicked Download Driver and the web site mentioned that the obtain failed and supplied a chat hyperlink the place I defined my drawback. The individual on the opposite finish had technical help name me. The man on the cellphone instructed me my pc was contaminated and wished me to pay him to wash it up. I mentioned no and he turned aggressive. I hung up the cellphone and turned off my pc.

“After I hung up, my husband realized I had typed the web address incorrectly.”

I attempted to obtain my new Canon printer driver at ij.begin.canon.com. I unintentionally typed ijstartcanon.com. When I typed in my printer and hit enter, a web page got here up saying i had a Fatal Error C0000022 name tech assist. I then clicked on chat. I chatted with Caroline who mentioned a world skilled technician would name me in 5-10 minutes to assist me. They referred to as me in about quarter-hour from 442032390343. It mentioned London England, United Kingdom. The man was obscure. He mentioned my IP handle has an an infection. I requested what to do and he mentioned he might switch me to a division to assist me however it might value cash. I mentioned it is a work pc so I’ll simply name my IT division. After I hung up, my husband realized I had typed the net handle incorrectly. I’m involved they now have entry to my work data in addition to my private data as I used to be speaking to them on my private cellular phone.

“I’m worried that a remote access Trojan has been installed”

I used to be in search of buyer assist for a canon printer. I discovered a web site by way of google that I didn’t discover wasn’t an precise canon website due to it’s identify and verbiage and pictures. I clicked a bit of icon with a cellphone on it to attempt to get to buyer assist. It requested me to enter my cellphone quantity for a call-back. I did, and somebody referred to as me. They sounded legit sufficient. Heavy Indian accent. But they requested for distant entry to my desktop, by asking me to go to setpc.web, then enter a 9-digit code, then set up an app referred to as RemotePCHD. I did, stupidly. Then they poked round for a bit, together with asking me what’s on my printer display and such. Then they mentioned they’ve identified the issue and requested to switch me to somebody who would then attempt to repair the issue, and I’d pay them $99.98 if they’re able to repair it. I mentioned no, that’s too costly, at which level I requested them to finish the RemotePC entry, and so they did. And I hung up. Now I’m anxious {that a} distant entry trojan has been put in.

“Initial website was letter for letter the same as the real site…”

Bought Canon wi-fi Printer Walmart. Installation directions referred to particular website. Googled website, listed 2 or 3 choices. Chose 2nd in checklist trigger it regarded extra particular to obtain driversetup file. Logged on, downloaded file. Ran set up and deadly error got here up C000022. Screen immediate on error msg. ask for e-mail handle and cellphone quantity and obtained name a couple of minutes later from Indian sounding gentleman named Robbie. Ask to begin a distant session on my laptop computer. Downloaded a ZA executable file and went to command immediate and ran what he referred to as a diagnostic dirs. Said he discovered a trojan that contaminated my pc and each gadget on my personal wi-fi community. Then supplied to repair it for various time period safety choices starting from a yr. to lifetime if over 55 yrs. outdated and costs from 200 to 900 {dollars}. I declined his supply stating that if he was to behave as my computer dr. that I wished a second opinion. Initial web site was letter for letter the identical as the actual website that I ought to have logged into, full w Canon graphics and so on.

“Once I looked closer, it was obvious the the font of the company was not the same…”

Trying to obtain a Canon printer. A deadly error message got here up and supplied Chat to repair. The chat individual mentioned somebody would name me inside 12 minutes. He instantly mentioned I had most likely downloaded some dangerous software program and wanted to entry my pc to repair it. Then all of it clicked. I mentioned NO after which he mentioned get another person to repair it then and hung up. Once I regarded nearer, it was apparent the the font of the corporate was not the identical and naturally different small crimson flags.

Here is the web site: http:ijstartcanonn.com

“As he spoke, he went to Coupon2Deal and installed that extension on my computer without my permission.”

I attempted to go to the Canon web site (ij.begin.canon) and Google pulled up an internet search as a substitute of the positioning. I noticed a web site hyperlink that mentioned IJ.Start.Cannon. I didn’t discover the distinction within the spelling. The hyperlink went to https:ijstartcanonn.com. It requested for the printer mannequin. I put it in. When I clicked obtain it pulled up a obtain display, then went to a deadly error C0000022. I used the assistance chat. They bought my phone quantity, my e mail handle and referred to as me shortly after figuring out my drawback. When the tech referred to as they requested me to permit them entry to my pc because the C within the error code urged it was a pc program. I logged into zoho, downloaded the app and the technician took over the mouse, went into Terminal (I’m a MAC consumer), and claimed I had 80 of my techniques in sleep mode as a consequence of viruses. He claimed a antivirus wouldn’t deal with the 1500 viruses he knew I had and the rationale the motive force wasn’t downloaded was due to the viruses. He mentioned he might clear my Mac for $129, which is lower than a professional would cost. I mentioned no. He mentioned he might decrease that to $115. As he spoke he went to Coupon2Deal and put in that extension on my pc with out my permission. He did it very quick and closed the window. I requested if he’d simply put in that on pc with out my permission and he mentioned no, he was simply displaying it to me and referenced the web page that linked to the set up web page. I instructed him I didn’t need his providers, I’d attempt to deal with it alone. He mentioned it was completely my alternative. He ended the zoho. I put in Zoho, then turned off my web connection. I went again by way of my historical past and noticed that the Coupon2Deal extension had in truth been put in, so I uninstalled it. I checked what passwords I had saved. I nonetheless must undergo and alter these.

“He wanted Target or AmEx cards and coached me how to load them up with $500 each.”

People at website above – sounded Indian – transferred me to David Lee in California. He mentioned he wanted to scan my pc for dangerous scanner drivers. He satisfied me to load Team a Remote Desktop. He scanned my pc and I spent 3 hours on the cellphone with him. The subsequent day the scan was full however no answer. He requested for $99.95 to proceed and reimburse if no repair inside 4 hours. I gave him my CC info. After 4 hours he mentioned he wanted my assist in getting the refund and introduced me with text-based interface. When I typed in $99.95 because the refund quantity it shortly modified to $1995 and was entered. He pretended to be shocked and mentioned I had created an enormous drawback that would not be reversed. He claimed his finance dept was shut for the weekend and we wanted to repair the issue. He had me open my banking website and identified that there was a credit score of $1995 in my checking account. I felt accountable match the issue and agreed to drive round city buying reward playing cards. He wished Target or AmEx playing cards and coached me how you can load them up with $500 every. My first cease was Winn Dixie. Luckily they’ve an additional step the purchaser must take to activate the playing cards. I ignored this and David couldn’t entry them after I gave him the cardboard numbers and entry keys. Then I went to Target and acquired $2000 extra. These he was capable of entry and made purchases of some variety at Target shops in CA.

At this level I went again to examine my checking account and found that the $1995 credit score in my checking account got here as an advance from my bank card. So I lastly understood that I had been duped.

The reward playing cards from Winn Dixie have been frozen and I anticipate to get that $2000 again. So the price of this lesson was $1995 plus the $19.95 charge.

“I clicked on first site that popped up…”

I bought a brand new Canon printer. I typed the web site to put in as a substitute of finishing typing it out, I clicked on first website that popped up. Unfortunately, it was not the official Canon web site however a scammer’s web page. I did a web-based chat asking for help and typed my cellphone quantity in. They instantly referred to as me. I allowed them distant entry to my pc. They downloaded one thing referred to as ultraviewer and typed occasion planner in my search bar to carry up suspicious viruses on my computer. They instructed me I had viruses and wanted so as to add a firewall. They mentioned I would wish to pay a one time tech charge of $149.00. At that time, I hung up closed out of the display. I didn’t give any fee or give any fee account info.

“After you agree, they have you install screensharing software and call you on your phone.”

These individuals have arrange a technical assist web site at https:usa-canon-printer.assist to entice those that have purchased a Canon printer and are having issues. Within a minute of searching, a chat window pops up with an agent asking to assist. It all appears very legit. Shortly after just a few troubleshooting inquiries to hold it seeming actual, the agent will ask for those who can share your display. After you agree, they have you ever set up screensharing software program and name you in your cellphone. After they transfer round in your display a bit of bit, checking only a few settings (and perhaps doing extra nefarious issues within the background, who is aware of), they are going to say that the issue might be mounted for those who let a technician cope with it remotely for 20-Half-hour, simply sit again and loosen up. And it is going to value $99. At this level I finished, bought off of the cellphone, and disabled the screensharing software program.

“After he finished my payment I got suspicious because he restarted my computer…”

I purchased a Canon printer and wanted assist setting it up to connect with the brand new printer. So I went on-line to Canon’s web site and obtained an choice to speak with a technician. The technician who referred to as himself James requested me for my cellphone quantity to name me. Once he referred to as me he mentioned he wanted entry to my pc utilizing Ultra View. One he gained entry he instructed me I wanted to pay for a anti virus system named Webroot Secure Everywhere. And requested me for my bank card quantity and three digit code on again. I payed for the service on the cellphone with him however I did name my bank card to cease fee and cancel card.

After he completed my fee I bought suspicious as a result of he restarted my pc the place I needed to kind in my password once more most likely saving it to return in later. He was already within the system why restart it. That’s once I knew one thing was mistaken. So I requested to talk together with his supervisor and so they hung up.

I instantly referred to as Canon at 1-800-652-2666 and so they knowledgeable me that they’ve Third celebration scammers illegally utilizing their brand and creating web sites to lure individuals on the web. I’m disenchanted in Canon as a result of the positioning I typed within the web to achieve Canon official web site website went to the scammers website.

“I thought I was on with Canon, and have done this before with Apple, so I let him”

I unintentionally went to this web site as a result of it was one letter off from the Canon web site I used to be imagined to go to in order that I might obtain a drive for a photograph scanner (piece of apparatus). I tried to obtain the drive and it mentioned it failed and that I ought to name the cellphone quantity for assist. When I referred to as he mentioned he was undecided why I used to be having this drawback and he requested me to go to LogMeIn123.com so he might set up the motive force himself. I believed I used to be on with Canon, and have finished this earlier than with Apple, so I let him. He instructed me I had main infections on my pc and wanted to have them repair it for $150. I then realized I used to be being scammed and promptly disconnected. I fortunately had not downloaded something harmful or carried out any transaction.