18 Replies Latest reply on Aug 26, 2015 5:20 PM by Insufficient permissions

CS6 with Product key number but no serial number

CS 5 and Yosemite Jan 18, 2015 7:19 AM

I purchased CS6 from Adobe Support (email address: Help And Support <adobe24x7@outlook.com>) and obtained a product key number but no serial number. How come? Is my purchase legitimate or did i get scammed?

1. Re: CS6 with Product key number but no serial number

Test Screen Name Jan 18, 2015 8:00 AM (in response to CS 5 and Yosemite)

That's the email, and I have no way to know if it's genuine. What web site did you buy from? If I may ask, what was the exact price?
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2. Re: CS6 with Product key number but no serial number

CS 5 and Yosemite Jan 21, 2015 8:38 AM (in response to Test Screen Name)

I bought it from the person at the email I indicated who from, from South Asia somewhere (it sounded like that), took control of my computer and took care of installing it on my Mac. I paid 550 USD. I am informed, through the same "adobe support" site that only CC products can be registered on my account. I find that odd given the two books I am reading on CS6; it is not what they say and they are clear I should have a serial number.

What do you think. Looks fishy to me. Here is what they write:

Hi!
Jacques Berard

CS 6 Is Non Cloud Product! As of now only creative cloud product Highlight with your adobe account only because whole server moved to creative cloud management so serial number is not required!

Thanks & Regards
Adobe Forums
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3. Re: CS6 with Product key number but no serial number

Test Screen Name Jan 21, 2015 8:44 AM (in response to CS 5 and Yosemite)

Very odd, I don't know what to think. Certainly it isn't the way Adobe would do business. It is certain you weren't dealing with Adobe, but with someone offering support for Adobe products. And installing it for you is very odd indeed, suggests they were hiding from you a serial number.

At the very least, how will you reinstall when you get a new computer?
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4. Re: CS6 with Product key number but no serial number

CS 5 and Yosemite Jan 21, 2015 12:23 PM (in response to Test Screen Name)

I agree with you: it's not the way a firm like Adobe would do business.

I am not getting a satisfactory answer on this issue and I feel I am being taken for a ride. The gentleman keeps calling me at home to respond to my queries on the Forum -- which they are obviously monitoring -- but will not do as you do, i.e.: put answers on a public forum.

As far as reinstalling is concerned, they tell me I have to call them when I want to install a second computer. I find that odd too...

I am not comfortable at all with this and I wish I could find someone legitimate to speak to but Adobe does not list any phone number for customer support in Canada. I might look at contacting their Legal department for which I see a number... Do you have an idea where I can call and speak to someone who will give me an official answer?
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5. Re: CS6 with Product key number but no serial number

gener7 Jan 21, 2015 12:35 PM (in response to CS 5 and Yosemite)

One hint: Adobe Systems has their own domain. "adobe.com" They don't use Outlook accounts.

Gene
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6. Re: CS6 with Product key number but no serial number

CS 5 and Yosemite Jan 21, 2015 12:50 PM (in response to gener7)

Agreed but I wondered if they outsourced the support service. But even there, they'd do as you hint. Obviously then, Adobe has to be notified that someone is monitoring / intercepting traffic on the Adobe Support site and is, perhaps, assuming, an identity.
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7. Re: CS6 with Product key number but no serial number

Benjamin Root Jan 21, 2015 12:54 PM (in response to CS 5 and Yosemite)

Try these links:
Office locations | Adobe
Report form

Benjamin
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8. Re: CS6 with Product key number but no serial number

CS 5 and Yosemite Jan 21, 2015 1:18 PM (in response to Benjamin Root)

Many thanks Benjamin. This is very useful. I am on the telephone with the Adobe Fraud department now, on hold, as I type. I'll keep you posted.
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9. Re: CS6 with Product key number but no serial number

CS 5 and Yosemite Jan 21, 2015 3:16 PM (in response to CS 5 and Yosemite)

The vendor has called offering to reimburse me. Let's see if it happens in 4-5 days, as claimed.
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10. Re: CS6 with Product key number but no serial number

Benjamin Root Jan 21, 2015 3:22 PM (in response to CS 5 and Yosemite)

Hopefully they do and nothing fishy happens during that..
What did Adobe have to say?
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11. Re: CS6 with Product key number but no serial number

CS 5 and Yosemite Jan 21, 2015 3:40 PM (in response to Benjamin Root)

They are looking into the case. As pointed out, all communications with them should have the "adobe.com" extension and one should receive an official invoice prompting you to register your license on your account...
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12. Re: CS6 with Product key number but no serial number

nickr37869717 Mar 16, 2015 8:17 AM (in response to CS 5 and Yosemite)

Hi,
I don't know if anyone is still looking at this thread but I have just dealt with the same Adobe 'Help and Support' with the email adobe24x7@outlook.com and found you when I looked to see if there was anything about them online.

My story as short as poss – I had problems running Photoshop Elements 11 after upgrading to Mac OS X Yosemite. Some people told me it could work, others no, so I tried to get some information from Adobe. I looked for 'Help' on Adobe.com and wrote in my enquiry on the recommended 'Chat' option. This morning I got a response and was asked if I was available to web chat about it on Skype. Everything was headed 'Help and Support' and all the Skype messages had a little Adobe logo with 'Help' by them – so I assumed it was all legit and I was actually dealing with Adobe.

They told me PSE 11 was incompatible with Yosemite but said that as an existing customer I could upgrade to PSE 13 for a discount. This seemed a good deal so I said OK. They said I could download it immediately but they'd need remote access to my computer. They started installing PSE 13 and though I started to wonder about how long they needed remote access for, things only began to look really weird when it came to paying, which was to a Moneygram account in India. Also I got a confirmation email from that adobe24x7 address.

By that time though I'd got so far into it I was worried what would happen if I pulled out, and so I went ahead and paid them (equivalent of $78 US). They told me they'll send a full serial number by email within 72 hours. When I said to them 'you're not actually Adobe are you' they said 'We have affiliation with Adobe through Commission Junction'. The named 'Support Manager' on the messages is Amrita Singh.

They finished the installation, and so far the PSE 13 seems to work fine. But like you I have no idea whether it is legitimate software or not. I called Adobe here in the UK and they say they have no connection with adobe24x7, didn't seem to have it on record as a scam address, but are going to get back to me.

I'm normally careful with scammers so this makes me feel really dumb. But – the big question – since they had access to the computer for so long, were they fishing for anything else? If they are real scammers this is a possibility. When I reported it to Adobe they told me to cancel the payment but I said I didn't want to in case adobe24x7 took any reprisals.

So, if CS5 and Yosemite is still reading – did they ever get back to you when they said they'd reimburse you? And have you had any other bad consequences since you were in contact with them, bank accounts, passwords being compromised etc?

Am wondering how much I need to panic! Thanks for any information....

And, a wider issue, shouldn't Adobe show a little more concern that their 'Help pages' are being hacked into so easily?
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13. Re: CS6 with Product key number but no serial number

Benjamin Root Mar 16, 2015 10:44 AM (in response to nickr37869717)
Adobe has issued an urgent notification about something similar on the main threads:
ANNOUNCEMENT:URGENT NOTIFICATION: Beware of fraudulent support requests.
Hide Details

by Pete.Green (March 11, 2015)

We have received a number of reports where some members of this community are posing as Adobe Employees by offering to help troubleshoot issues personally using technologies such as Skype as a means to gain access to your computer and potentially your personal information.
All Adobe employees are required to have an orange ‘STAFF’ badge next to their user profile which can be seen if you mouse-over their profile picture.

Of course that has to do with the forums not chat. CS5 and Yosemite, it would be interesting to hear if they did indeed give you a refund and if anything strange has happened since..

Benjamin
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14. Re: CS6 with Product key number but no serial number

Insufficient permissions Aug 26, 2015 4:16 PM (in response to nickr37869717)

I am currently in a similar issue but refused to send him money to India Bank. He quickly removed all downloads through the remote access and disconnected. This is so weird!@ what is going on!
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15. Re: CS6 with Product key number but no serial number

Test Screen Name Aug 26, 2015 5:01 PM (in response to Insufficient permissions)

Here's what you need to know.
1. These guys are nothing to do with Adobe. They come up in Google and look enough like Adobe to trick people.
2. You've let them into your computer. They could have installed ANYTHING and left it behind, to get your card numbers, personal detail and worse. I would be very concerned.
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16. Re: CS6 with Product key number but no serial number

Insufficient permissions Aug 26, 2015 5:05 PM (in response to Test Screen Name)

I have not given him anything. I never completed any info. My Mac is brand
spanking new, nothing on it.
On Aug 26, 2015 8:01 PM, "Test Screen Name" <forums_noreply@adobe.com>
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17. Re: CS6 with Product key number but no serial number

Test Screen Name Aug 26, 2015 5:11 PM (in response to Insufficient permissions)

You said that he "quickly removed all downloads through remote access". If I understand correctly, you gave him remote access to your computer. That means you potentially gave him EVERYTHING, past and future. You don't have to give him your card number, because if they are bad guys (I don't know), they can now get it the next time you type it in.
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18. Re: CS6 with Product key number but no serial number

Insufficient permissions Aug 26, 2015 5:14 PM (in response to Test Screen Name)

Remote access through teamviewerQS he logged out but he left behind the CS6
without the serial#. I'm not saying I'm not concerned. I am Adobe needs to
wake up!
On Aug 26, 2015 8:11 PM, "Test Screen Name" <forums_noreply@adobe.com>
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19. Re: CS6 with Product key number but no serial number

Test Screen Name Aug 26, 2015 5:18 PM (in response to Insufficient permissions)

What can they do about these guys? I can't think of a solution, they are fast on their feet, and might not be breaking any laws in their country.
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20. Re: CS6 with Product key number but no serial number

Insufficient permissions Aug 26, 2015 5:20 PM (in response to Test Screen Name)

I'm not sure but they should be reported to the law. People need to be
aware. I'm glad my spidey senses were tingling.
On Aug 26, 2015 8:19 PM, "Test Screen Name" <forums_noreply@adobe.com>
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