Finkelstein Thompson LLP is currently investigating complaints that customers who bought antivirus software were later charged for “renewal subscriptions” without their knowledge or consent.

Consumers complain that McAfee, Inc. and Symantec Corporation, two major antivirus program licensors, automatically charge for renewal of their software products that were purchased to protect computers from internet threats such as computer viruses and spyware.

Some of McAfee’s licensed products are Virus Scan Plus, Family Protection, 3-User Protection and Anti-Theft File Protect. Symantec licenses Norton software including Norton 360, Norton Internet Security and Norton Antivirus. Symantec bills for Norton antivirus software subscriptions which are required to maintain the effectiveness of the Symantec software.

As a recent press release from the New York Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo states: "The Attorney General’s investigation found that the companies failed to adequately disclose to consumers that subscriptions would be automatically renewed and that consumers would be charged for subsequent subscriptions. Information about automatic renewal charges was not clearly disclosed, but was instead hidden at the bottom of long webpages or in the fine print of license agreements."  The complete release may be seen on the NY Attorney General’s website: http://www.oag.state.ny.us/media_center/2009/june/june10a_09.html

Some consumers report that they were charged even though they declined software updates and, in some cases, even after they removed the software from their computers. We are interested in hearing from consumers who believe they were affected by this practice.  If you believe you were assessed an unauthorized charge for Symantec or McAfee antivirus software and are interested in participating in our investigation, please contact us at our toll free number 877-800-1450 or by email at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it