Common Computer Repair Scams, you should Avoid

Posted by Your I.T. Guy on March 3rd, 2020

Scams are common in every industry and the tech industry is no expectation. There are lots of scams in the computer repair industry as well.

A malfunctioning computer is the worst thing to experience. Considering the number of documents and sensitive materials is present on computers nowadays some will spare no expense to get their computer working again. But there is a fate worse than losing all your data. You may be robbed out of a huge sum of money by the computer repair technicians in Melbourne.

Here are some of the most common scams practiced by not all, but some of the dishonest computer technicians which you should watch out for!

Scam number 1: Your computer is too broken to be “Fixed”, but hey, they have another PC that they can sell you cheap!

The catch here is that there is little to nothing wrong with your system. The technician then sells you a system he got from somebody else he pulled this same scam on and then fixes whatever small problem your computer had and sells it to the next person he scams. In most cases you end up with a lower quality system then you started with and the “tech” makes a huge profit from you and the next “repair”.

Scam number 2: cheap parts are installed in your computer

This can happen if the technician for computer repairs in Melbourne needs to take the desktop back to their shop or when you leave a computer at a shop. The scam is they will take your higher-end parts and replace them with lower grade parts. Then resell your “better” part to somebody else.

You can avoid this scam by asking for an inventory of all the parts in your system with serial numbers before you release the system to be worked on. Also, inform the technician you will want all your broken parts back if they need to be replaced.

Scam number 3: Free diagnosis of computer

It is very simple here! Will you work for free? Never!

Once you drag your computer all over town your not going to want to go pick it up and have to find somebody else to fix it. So the technician gets his money most of the time. And for some strange reason, your repair just happens to be more than their low rate because your system or repair is unique in some way.

Most “flat rate” quotes are based on what tech would have charged by the hour for the same service and in this case if your repair takes less time your stuck paying more you would have in the first place.

Scam 4: unlicensed software

In many cases, people will lose their software CD’s & Install Disks and the technicans may offer you a “copy” of the software you need. Much of the time these are illegal copies being sold and you get harmed as you will not get support from the software vendor for PC Repairs in Melbourne, can’t get many security updates and miss out on discounts to future versions of the software. Also, many Unlicensed Software copies are infected with viruses, spyware and other forms of computer malware.