The Register is reporting that California resident Tara Fitzgerald, seeking help with a computer problem, contacted the Dell support line — and subsequently had sexually explicit images depicting herself downloaded by the Dell technician using the computer's remote diagnostic connection.
That technician allegedly then used those images to create and publish an adult website, featuring "Bitch Tara."
The story took another turn when Fitzgerald confronted the tech about the website — and was then talked into buying him a new laptop, so he could assist her from home — she also spent another $195 to have it sent to India by next-day air.
"My conscience is talking to me, saying 'Tara, don't send this. Are you crazy?'" Fitzgerald said. "I sent it anyway."
Fitzgerald says the "support services" took a more intimate tone — but then she noticed more than $800 in new charges on her Dell account — used to purchase a new computer and router for a woman in Tennessee. The tech, of course, was responsible, having sent the system to his latest "love."
He changed his mind a month later, however, sending an email to Fitzgerald, which read "ur my True friend Tara… I am sorry Accidently I charged ur Dell Account but I will pay. I don't want to loose my job. It was a mistake which happened with me and I am screwed."
Dell contractor Sitel India says its employee, Riyaz Shaikh, is no longer handling Dell service calls — but this is not the first time that nude photos have allegedly been compromised by Dell service technicians, making some observers wonder how prevalent the problem of unauthorized file access may be.
Shaikh is reportedly on a payment plan, reimbursing Fitzgerald for the purchase over the course of several months — and providing a valuable lesson in the dangers of allowing strangers into your most sensitive files.