QuickBooks Online Corrupt Database Repair Scam

Thank you for bringing this to our attention, robschiff,

I'll take note of your feedback and send it to our management team. Meanwhile, I know you've already contacted our QuickBooks Support Team.

However, I recommend getting back in touch with them by selecting the Start a chat option from the Help (?) button . They can pull up your previous case number and check who called you. And, trace the person who transferred the call to the scammer.

On the other hand, contacting us for any support issues is free. We don't take any charges and every call is recorded in our system. Hence, we'll be able to verify all logs.

About your reconciliation experienced, there could be discrepancies in your records. And, the following information below can cause an issue to your account:

• Someone edited, deleted, moved, or unreconciled a transaction that was on a previous reconciliation. This changes the ending balance and  impacts the beginning balance on your next reconciliation.
• Someone manually reconciled a transaction. It won't show up for review and can't be added to future reconciliations.

To fix this, I've got these articles for you to check your bank transactions before reconciling the account:

• Fix beginning balance issues during your first reconciliation
• Fix beginning balance issues if you've reconciled the account in the past.

Let me know if you need additional information by commenting below. I'm always right here to help fix the

Thanks for the reply and information.  After some investigation, I just found out that one of the folks that works on our team googled intuit support and found a number  that lead to scam.  She called, they answered Intuit Support and then transferred her around to the person that attempted to steal money from us via the corrupt data base story

The folks were very sophisticated and wanted a few hours connected to her machine via team viewer.  Luckily I have a very strong IT background and she came to me since she felt confused about a corrupt data base.

I am now confirming that the machine is not compromised.

We called support via the Help button and call me back and the support team helped with the duplicate transactions.

May I suggest that Intuit provides education to there user community on these scams.  Emails, banners and other methods to educate your user base is needed.  You are the market leader and will always be a target for the bad guys and gals.

Lastly I share this story so that others who search this forum will know that this is a real issue and to be careful out there.

Thanks...

Hi @robschiff,

Thank you for your prompt reply, as well as sharing an update on the situation. 

I appreciate the suggestion you stated above. Our customer's data security and privacy is our top priority, which is why we've made a streamlined process on how our users can contact support. You no longer need to look for a certain phone number or save a chat link to get help. You only need to log in to your QuickBooks product and go to the Help menu.

I suggest taking a look at this article: Privacy and security in QuickBooks. It lists tips on how to keep your Intuit account safe.

As for education about overall security, take a look at this page: Intuit Online Security Center. You can find tips on how you can protect your information, computer, as well as your business. It even includes links so you can report any suspicious activities, should you encounter them. 

I'll be around in case you need further assistance. Leave a message below, and I'll be sure to get back to you. 

I experienced a similar issue with a QBO-related scam, however it came about because I was locked out of my account and couldn't access it, which is why I called the Help Desk (or so I thought). I was in a panic, so in my haste I called the first number that came up with a Google search. Only later did I realize that it was an ad (doh!). Thankfully I didn't fall for their attempt to get paid before resolving the "corrupt database" issue. However my point in bringing this up, is that accessing the Help button via your account isn't helpful if you can't actually get into your account. Finding a way to actually contact QBO was not easy as there seem to be many layers online before you can get the help you need. In fact, I originally thought that tech support was closed on Saturdays, but eventually found a way to connect via Live Chat. When you're in a panic, it's frustrating to have to look that hard to find ways to get help.

I just had this happen to me when I ended up talking with someone at "Internal Accounting Services" and was told the same thing regarding my database when my only problem was logging in. Unfortunately, I allowed him access via TeamViewer. Hopefully there will be no breach to our account. Anyone else have this happen to them?

This scam is happening to us currently. Used the chat button, etc...keep saying files are corrupted on our end via the browser, ask for a supervisor, they tell me that they are the supervisor. Want me to pay $900 for them to fix it and we will have a 3 year subscription for this. Then when I ask more in depth questions they hang up. I have never in my life seen a company so hard to get in touch with. Don't really know what to do now. 

@apex2011 

Are you using QB Desktop or QB Online?

QB Online

Hi @apex2011,

I appreciate you for sharing this information with us. 

Data privacy and security is a serious topic, and here at Intuit, we treat it as such. This is the reason why our Technical Support team's phone numbers and chat links are no longer available on our web pages. To get a hold of our Technical Support team, you'll have to do it within QuickBooks Online (QBO). This ensures that you'll be routed to the correct support department in the soonest time possible.

You can refer to this article for the correct steps: QuickBooks Online Support. Please take note of their operating hours, so you know when they're available.

I'll also share this article with you: Privacy and security in QuickBooks. You'll find a brief description of how we handle your company information and keep it secure. It also has other links related to security, which provides you tips about this matter. 

Let me know in the comments below if you have other questions about data privacy and security in QBO. I'll be sure to take care of it. 

I had the same experience two days ago. Luckily I did not pay. Our Quickbooks Pro 2020 is hosted on Amazon Cloud. However we still cannot access the datafiles. How do we ensure we get the "REAL" Quickbooks support on the line?

Thanks for joining this thread, al-amin.

We're committed to ensuring the security of our customers' information and also the products. That’s why the contact information for support is no longer available on our webpage.

To get in touch with our Technical Support Team, you can schedule a callback or chat with an agent for real-time assistance. We’ll have to go to the Help menu of your company file for the contact information.

1. Click on the Help icon at the top menu bar to select QuickBooks Desktop Help F1.
2. Scroll down to choose the Contact us link to open the Contact Us screen.
3. In the Tell us more about your question section, enter the issue or topic in the field box.
4. Press the Search button to display the Get Phone Number or Start a Message button.

Here’s a link that lists our support types and hours. It contains some links on how to reach us if you’re unable to get into the product: Contact QuickBooks Desktop.

Since your QuickBooks Pro 2020 is hosted by Amazon Cloud, I recommend reaching out to their customer service. They have the tools to determine where the issue is stemming from. Then, help make sure you can access your data files.

I’m adding a link that contains tips and resources to keep your company information secure. Click here to access the Intuit Security Center.

Please let me know if you have further questions or concerns about QuickBooks. I’ll get back to answer them for you. Have a good one.

@al-amin 

I wouldn't recommend to install/run QBD on any VPS service. Once you encountered any technical issue, VPS providers won't support you. Consider migrating your data on an authorized QB cloud hosting or deploy a private cloud at your premise.

We had the same thing happen today.  Our employee call the number he googled for quickbooks and he was transferred to "advanced tech" who stated our DB was corrupt and he wanted us to give him checking account info and $750 for a 1 yr subscription to data protection and tech support

I can help you with resolving the file that you're having trouble with, @greatwhite.

Can you tell me more about the corrupted file that you're referring to? I'll do my best to help you in resolving it. 

Please take note that you can only reach our Customer Support for QuickBooks Online (QBO) through chat or by arranging a callback. You can do it from the Help icon at the top right of the account. It's free as long as you have an active subscription. 

See this article for more information reaching out to them and their support hours: QuickBooks Online Support.

If you're subscribed to QuickBooks Desktop and is trying to resolve an error with your company file, then you can check out the following article to know our Care plan options: Care Plans for QuickBooks Desktop.

Our Customer Support for QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) Pro and Premier is available Monday to Friday from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM (PST). For QBDT Enterprise, you can reach out anytime at any day. 

You can choose Get a call to arrange a callback from a support agent or Start a chat to chat with them directly. Check this article for detailed guidance in reaching out to our Customer Support: Contact QuickBooks Desktop support.

If you're having trouble when trying to open your company file, the following article will help you resolve it: Resolve Error -6000, when opening a company file.

I'm always here if you need help with your account. Let me know by leaving a reply below. Take care and have a great rest of the day!

Amazingly all of my datafiles are now accessible and working fine. Not sure how that happened. But we are all good now.

Good afternoon, @al-amin. 

I appreciate you coming back to the Community and updating us. 

I'm so happy that you were able to access all of your data files. We're always here to lend a helping hand and get you back to business. 

Don't hesitate to let me know if I can be of additional assistance while working in QuickBooks. The Community and I are always here to have your back. Take care! 

6/25/21

web search for quickbooks tech support returned tech support number [removed].  Same issue as reported here.  Tried to charge 299 for one year 599 for three to un-corrupt files that were keeping my from logging into QB.  Total scam. Do not fall for it.  

QB you should have your security folks track this down.  Work with the authorities to track the location of the phone numbers.  They have the technology to do theat.

Yes, I experienced something very similar.  I had a hard drive that crashed and had to be replaced.  I run QB Enterprise (Desktop).  I called the Help Desk for assistance in reinstalling.  I was told my backup files were corrupt.  I was over a barrel and paid the $1231.99.  I had been told it would take a maximum of 24 hours to repair the files.  I called after 24 hours, no files.  The gentleman on the other end (Indian), "Brian Wilson"  (I had assumed the name given was for the ease of American customers), got cross as if I wasn't supposed to have called back.

I stopped payment at the back.  Ouch!

Same thing happened to us today. We googled customer service phone number and got [phone number removed].  I gave them my private information after letting them log into our account from teamviewer!! A superviser told us we had a corrupted data file and we need to pay about $800 to fix it. You really need to fix this issue from google search. It shouldn’t be this hard to get support. because we are giving them our private information thinking it’s intuit customer service. Hopefully he didn’t steal any of our information. 
Mark Nguyen

Welcome to this thread, markbeach25.

I appreciate you for sharing your experience on how you get the QuickBooks Support. Please know that QuickBooks Support won't give you a call unless you requested to.

Follow the steps below and leave your number and we’ll get back to you:

1. Open QuickBooks.
2. Go to Help, then select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
3. Select Contact Us.
4. Give a brief description of your issue, then select Let's talk and then choose a way to connect.

To make sure you're route to the correct help, you might want to keep this link handy: QuickBooks Official Contact Us Page.

If you suspected these support or numbers to be fraud or scam, you can follow the steps below and report this to Intuit:

1. Report the encounter to Intuit at spoof@intuit.com.
2. If you paid the scammer, call your credit card or bank, and reverse the charges as quickly as possible. You may also want to cancel the credit card or change your account number.
3. If you or the scammer downloaded anything on your computer, including a remote access tool, be sure to uninstall and delete them.

For more information about fraud and tips on how to prevent it, please do visit this article: How you can help protect your business from fraud.

On the other note, here's an article that provides a list of troubleshooting guides in fixing corrupted or damaged data: Fix data damage on your QuickBooks Desktop company file.

If I can be of help while working in QuickBooks data, please let me know. I'll be here to help. Have a good one!

@markbeach25 

What is wrong with your QB? As long as you didn't install or receive any file from the scammer, you should be fine.

QB wants everyone to be online, how do I trust putting millions with no assurances of hackers or their very poor customer service which is rated the worst.

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@robschiff wrote:

I recently experienced reconciliation issues with my quick books online account for my business.  That has happened a few times in the past and the folks on the quick books help line have been able to assist me get the account correct.  This time when I asked for help via the Help button, someone called me back and then after looking at the issue, transferred me to a person that told me I had a corrupted database.  I thought this was strange since the database is hosted by Intuit/Quickbooks.  I asked many questions and all the person wanted to do was charge me $500 to fix the database or $750 to have an annual plan to fix the database when it gets corrupted in the future.  We declined his offer to fix the database and using the help button asked for a call back again.  The new customer support person explained that this was a scam.  Has anyone else experienced this?  What concerns me most is that Quickbooks help called me back and then transferred  me someone that is working the scam.

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I just had the same issue. Very professional scam artist. Wanted me to pay $750 for one time fix or $1,000 for a year subscription. Told me that my Premier 2019 was no longer supported. Thankfully I didn't go ahead with money transfer. 

Yes, I just was talking with them today.   My totals were very off on all my annual reports that I was using for taxes.  I also was sent to someone who showed me this list of my errors, data damage and corrupt files.  When I found out the price I  really hesitated it didn't feel right. I wondered then if it was a scam.  But I needed to fix my quick reports for my taxes so I paid but I dont think this is legit.  I am definitely changing to Square I think I am looking around,  This program charge to high a % rate for every transaction and I saw some $27 for "finance charge". I don't even know what that is for.   It's too complicated and expensive with all the charges.  And yes, I think I was scammed