Preinstalled McAfee Livesafe on new laptop was activated by somebody else

Question

I just purchased a new Dell laptop online that came with preinstalled McAfee LiveSafe software. I clicked on the McAfee icon to activate the software, then I clicked on Account and then My Subscription.  The screen that came up showed that the subscription status was already active and it showed an email address that was NOT mine.  It is supposed to be a brand-new laptop so I'm not sure how McAfee got activated or whose email address it is. Happen to anyone else?? Not sure what to do or how to change the information so that I can set up my own McAfee account and activate my software...

ejn63 · Accepted Answer

If the system came other than direct from Dell, contact the seller for an explanation -- if none is forthcoming, return the system for a refund.

VL67 · Answer

@ejn63​  I purchased it directly from dell.com.

RoHe · Answer

From Dell's outlet store?

AndyDell · Answer

@RoHe​ This has just happened to us, too, and we DID purchase it direct from DELL.  What do you suggest, Ron, this is concerning to us from a security standpoint?  Thank you.

AngeiJ · Answer

This same thing has happened to me on my new computer.  2 days later and I have yet to get this corrected.

VL67 · Answer

I wasn’t able to get help with my issue, so I ended up uninstalling the McAfee LiveSafe software that had been preinstalled on my new laptop. I purchased a new software subscription and installed it myself. I didn’t want to have to spend more money on software that I had already paid for with the new computer, but it fixed the issue and the subscription is now in my name.

AngeiJ · Answer

But my McAfee Premium subscription just started. If I uninstall it and buy it again, wouldn't I just be buying it twice?

AndyDell · Answer

@VL67​ I'm reluctant to install and pay for yet another subscription.

AndyDell · Answer

@AngeiJ​ Yes, I agree, that's our concern.

AndyDell · Answer

Dell and McAfee are two big corporations--they don't give a flying fig about customers and customer service is non-existent.

AngeiJ · Answer

I just don't get how a mistake like this was made and how the hell they can't just correct it.

Virus & Spyware

Preinstalled McAfee Livesafe on new laptop was activated by somebody else

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