Help

I've been having some issues with my computer for awhile now. Yesterday I got a phone call and they told me they were from the help center and have been receiving messages from my computer about problems. (We have had similar phone calls but due to the language barrier we have not taken the conversation any further than 'thank you, we are not interested'). Anyway, it appears I may have a number of viruses which is causing all these 'messages' to pop up and cause my computer to run slower and slower. Unfortunately, I again could not understand my caller very easily. It took all my concentration to hear her and make out whas she was saying. When I did agree to look at my computer and follow a few of her instructions it did seem on the legit! How was she able to tell me what I was seeing on the screen unless she was seeing it too. When it came to me saying yes to a protocol she wanted me to do....well.....I drew the line there. She then put on her 'superior' who said he was the office manager or something like that and assured me everything was on the 'up and up' and that he was not trying to hack me. "Oh yeah, as if him just saying 'trust me' was enough for me to go ahead!" Anyway, long story short...he did get me to do a few things and I ended up giving control over to him or at least he was able to show me he had control and 'he moved me around the screen without me doing anything'. That's when I really thought the whole thing was legit.

Now, I don't know enough about computers and IT addresses and all the rest but he sure sounded legit. Just when I was ready to 'turn over the controls' (which it appeared he already had) he began to tell me about my need for 'extended warranty' and the cost associated with it! 1 year for $190, 2 years $204 and 3 years $299.  He would clean out all the viruses I have which were not caught by my newly subscribed to Norton. That did not sit right with me. Maybe it was just because there was money involved as I was definitely believing him up to that point! He again assured me he would put me on a secure line for the financial info I would have to provide. He would not see anything or do anything until I hit the SEND button. This would activate a response in his office computer and he would then begin the clean-up process. Again, he assured me that all the viruses would be removed as they would remove all my files and programs and replace them all after doing a clean sweep. After that, my computer would run smoothly and efficiently again. Microsoft used to provide a 2 year maintenance program with their computers but now when newly purchased there is only a 6 month maintenance. You need to purchase additonal coverage yourself. This is what he was offering me. He had my IT number and all the rest so I am guessing he's telling me the truth.

Now, in his favor, he also gave me a phone number that I could call and verify what we talked about and they could do the same thing he was telling me. He said there were 35 computer technicians in his office qualified to fix these problems and they were there to ensure that the customer (me) was fully satisified and basically, 'not to give Microsoft a bad name'. They would go through the whole system check with me as he had done and I could complete the 'repair' with them. He was only interested in ensuring that my computer did not crash due to the problems I was having and he assured me that it would eventually crash without these repairs.

So, why should I trust him? Perhaps because I have been having problems for quite awhile and there has been a message popping up asking me if I wanted to send the ERROR REPORT which I always used to say YES to and now don't bother as I thought 'nothing was being done anyway' since the problems are still there.  I guess that is why they are still there!!! I have not bought the program. 

I am just a computer owner who knows a few things about a few programs and basically, I can type! When it comes to the Internet and the workings of it and the workings of my computer, I am totally illiterate. What should I do?