I received a subscription notice email - I did NOT authorize any subscription

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Hello,

For the free Avast antivirus which is what I have, there appears to be no way provided to contact Avast Customer Service and so I am posting my query here.

I have received the following email (copied below) falsely-purporting that I authorized a subscription for $449.99.
I have NOT authorized any such subscription.
I assume the email must be a hoax, but can anyone from Avast or from here, clarify this, or indeed put a stop to any such purchase, as it was NOT authorized by me.

        • Start of copy: - - - -

"From: INVOICE garclik5806hud@gmail.com
To: @
Subject: Order ID #5497-939-709
Date: 3 Feb [2021] at 18:05

Dear user,

This is an important notification that the “AVAST Anti- VIRUS” protection subscription is about to auto renew and your account will be pre-authorized with card associated which is registered with us.

This has been Auto-Renewed as per E-Sign Agreement Signed by YOU at the time of registration. Thank you for the completion of your 1 year.

This email confirms that you have renewed your 1-Year Subscription to Avast Anti-VIRUS Protection for $449.99 on February 4, 2021. This subscription will automatically renew each year unless you turn it off no later than 24 hours before the end of the subscription period.To cancel subsequent automatic renew of this subscription, simply reach us at 1 844-320-0067.

Thank you.

Customer Relationship Manager,

Carlos D Forester.

Customer Care No: +1 888-910-3726 OR +1 681-339-0748

"

        • End of copy - - - -

I look forward to hearing, with some form of clarification.

Regards,

Robert333

2

A scam…!! Don’t call these numbers…!!

3

"From: INVOICE garclik5806hud@gmail.com
There’s your first indication that this isn’t a genuine article.
What would Avast Customer Service be doing with a Gmail account?

4

Telltale signs of scam…

  1. As bob3160 said, the gmail From address
  2. Dear User… is User your name? Nope
  3. Google the phone number and you find out it is bogus
  4. The $449.99 price is ridiculous
  5. They tell you to cancel 24 hours before, but the email is sent and dated too late for that.

Also, if you have the free version there should be no card on file with Avast, therefore what are they going to charge?

My rule of thumb… never use a debit card, especially when authorizing a regular charge. With a credit card you always have recourse.