Here’s what happened to a member of our own Wikifrauds team:

On June 24, 2025, needing some antivirus software for a PC, and following Google results for free antivirus software, an advertisement for Avast was responded to. This promotion offered Avast basic antivirus software for only A$2.99 a month,

Thinking this would be a monthly subscription payment of A$2.99, the free download was selected but the one of payment of A$35.88 was the only option. So that option, although misleading to start with, was selected and I paid for it by debit card and installed it on the PC.

The experience then became somewhat onerous and frustrating. The internet browsing slowed the PC so badly that after a few days I decided to uninstall the Avast software, which I proceeded to do. I even had a popup from Avast saying “Sorry to see you go” etc etc. I did not bother asking for a refund at that stage, and just put it down to a bad experience.

Then on July 7, a charge of A$99 on my debit card was taken by Total AV. At no stage did I download any Total AV software, nor did I provide them my debit card details WTF! Then three days later Avast tried to take another A$74.99 from my debit card account but thankfully my bank stopped it as being a suspicious transaction and suspended my debit card account. (This was a justified action by the bank but nevertheless inconvenient at the time, and I now need to have a new card issued and all that updating of details for regular transactions need to be done) What’s more, Avast themselves then re-installed their software onto my PC without my knowledge or consent!

So, is Avast in bed with Total AV and did Avast pass on my  debit card details, or was I hacked by Total AV?

Conclusion and Recommendation: Either way you look at it, stay away from these two very suspicious companies.