SCAM ALERT!!!!

[Dchimenti]

I wanted to give everyone a heads-up.  I'm continuously receiving emails from someone claiming to be "Quawn Cureton" from Autodesk claiming that "nonvalid software being used in your environment".  They go on to provide a link to "buy 3-year subscription(s) for each product shown ".   In this case, it's 3D Studio Max.

Despite proving I have a valid account, they continue to pressure me with non-stop emails with nonsensical wording that states that I need to "resolve this issue".

I've pasted the full email below.  Please let me know if others have been victimized by this.  I'm worried my account has been hacked (it's an old account) but I have no way of figuring it out.  I'm an educator teaching students Max and my account doesn't allow me to talk to a human and it appears Autodusck isn't allowed to respond to my posts in this board based on the crickets I receive when I post a problem.   Thanks for the help, community!

************

Quawn Cureton <quawn.cureton1@autodesk.com>	Sep 27, 2024, 8:40 AM (4 days ago)
to me, Sebastian

Dear Derek Chimenti,

During a routine review of your use of Autodesk software and services, we detected some potential compliance issues, and we need your help to fix them.

According to our records, you have nonvalid software being used in your environment. Nonvalid software is software that either was not manufactured by Autodesk, or which was subsequently altered or cracked by an unauthorized party. In either case, the installation and use of nonvalid software is not allowed and creates risk for your company from malware, viruses, phishing, and other software-based attacks.

You can see from the attachment the nonvalid serial numbers, the versions and products that are being used out of compliance (2x 3ds Max). 

Having nonvalid software installed and used is our most serious non-compliance violation and Autodesk takes non-compliance with our license terms very seriously (and we expect our customers to do so also). So, thank you for taking the first step in resolving this matter.

How to Resolve:

1. Go to the Autodesk Store and buy 3-year subscription(s) for each product shown as laid out above, purchase through an authorized reseller, or purchase directly from this cart link which I have built on your behalf: 2x 3ds Max (3 Years) OR an equivalent purchase of new software at $11,250 or greater
2. Email me your order confirmation or invoice as proof of purchase by October 14, 2024. 

You must act immediately. As soon as you have bought the required Autodesk software and provided me with proof of purchase, we will consider this matter closed.

We encourage you to go to www.autodesk.com/genuine and study the FAQ. If you believe that you have received this email in error or have any other questions, please email me directly.

Thank you for your investment in Autodesk products, and your attention to this important matter.

From the date of this notification letter until this matter is concluded, Autodesk requests that 

Spline Creative not delete or remove any currently installed Autodesk software licenses. The deletion or removal of licenses will only complicate the verification process. Keep in mind however, that if the software has already been un-installed, Spline Creative still responsible for the installs and usage violations.

Kind Regards,

Quawn

Quawn Cureton 

License Compliance Associate

Autodesk, Inc.

1150 Wewatta Street

Denver,CO 80202

www.autodesk.com

[CAMedeck]

Nothing in that email makes me think 'scam'.  The person exists, is an employee at Autodesk, and there's nothing in it that is trying to get money or information from you through nefarious means.  Although, it does mention an attachment.  The email seems to be saying that somewhere on your system or network there is an install of 3ds Max that is not legitimate. 

You mentioned 'proving you have a valid account', but does that account include the serial numbers in question?

Many, many years ago my employer at the time was notified by Adobe that there was a 'cracked' version of Illustrator on a system in the network.  They were given the IP address of the machine, which made it much easier to find where it was installed.  Is it possible to get that kind of information from Autodesk?

[Dchimenti]

Yeah that was my thinking, too. All seems legit.

But after they said they found I had a legitimate account, they still demanded I buy a 3-year subscription or else??

This doesn't sound like the behavior of a competent company. Too desperate for professionals. 

And I'm just one guy who's used 3D Studio since before it was even called "Max". Now, if they were going after a large organization, I could see them using desperate behavior to recoup their losses.

But a company like Autodesk emails an artist, who's used their product since 1993, and says you violated our usage terms. And I show them I didn't- and they say, you owe us $5,625???

That can't possibly be Autodesk.

@Dchimenti - this post has been edited due to Community Rules & Etiquette violation.

[CAMedeck]

Any chance there's an old version of 3ds Max installed on your machine that isn't exactly licensed??

You may have an account, and have software licenses, but it sounds like they are seeing something running that is not legitimately licensed somewhere.

[Dchimenti]

There has been so much that has touched my computer desktop over the decades it's impossible to tell what will set off their litmus test.

But clearly, if this is real, their system is flawed in some way. And I don't just mean whatever they use to try and detect habitual pirates. I mainly mean their reaction.  That's what I'm basing my assumption that this is a scam on. To blatantly go after a loyal customer who's stayed with them through thick and REALLY THIN-  and accuse him of license violations and demand 3 years of money? With no interest at all in figuring it out?  They pull out a total guilty-before-proven-innocent sheriff badge in the first meeting?

That's corporate policy?   How desperate for money is that company?

I've only seen that desperation and fear-mongering in scammers. There's no way this can be legit. 

And again- total silence from Autodesk on this post. Just like my last 4 over the year.

[Diffus3d]

These are usage support forums, Autodesk isn't going to reply to this post.  It's not about usage, it's a rant about licensing which would have been more appropriate in the Installation and Licensing subforum.  

For what it's worth, I also got this email.  I was also a bit insulted but I've been a customer for over 20 years and I had never been audited before so I guess I was due.  As an expert elite they give you a copy of 3dsmax for support (only) reasons, but that triggered the same alarm you got.  I guess because I had software in my account I wasn't subscribed to as a result, the automatic system flagged me.  Accidents happen.  I ran the diagnostic tool, sent the results and explained my situation that was the end of that.

If they are telling you to license, then you probably ran the tool and the results were less then ideal.  Or, you didn't run the tool so they assume something is up.  

The email you posted lists methods for remediation or review, and it's not clear what steps you've taken in that vein.  If you didn't do anything wrong (and I absolutely believe you if you say you didn't) then this is merely an administrative issue that will resolve with some communication. 

I think it's just a clerical issue, probably that you are on subscription and maybe you have an older version that is no longer supported still installed, innocently.  It got flagged because it's out of the versions supported and you just need to check that FAQ and email that link to go over the problem with them and figure it all out.  That's my guess.  If you're legit, it's insulting and maybe a bit degrading, but it will resolve without you needed to pay anything.  (Of course.)  

Also, you might want to edit out the name of your studio in your post.

Best Regards,

[dmitriy.shpilevoy]

You can have a license and still violate terms of use if you run several instances at the same time. Check if that's the case.

If not, you might need to fully uninstall product in question. Remove related remaining folders if any. Manually clean the registry. Then reinstall.

[JezEmin]

Sorry to chime in here, but I've recently stopped paying for subscription (I'm close to pulling the trigger to quitting 3D), but I do still own a perpetual copy of 3DS Max (2020).  I haven't uninstalled my subscription copies of 3DS Max (2025, 2024) just in case I might resubscribe (to save me having to reinstall).

My question is;

If I've cancelled my subscriptions, must I also uninstall the software?

(after all, it can't be used until I resubscribe so I didn't think I'd need to).

[Dchimenti · Accepted solution]

Thanks, AJ!

I have left a ton of information out for the sake of brevity and privacy. So I'm sure you smell something. But you're lacking information and turning this "rant" into a judgment on me.

For example- I have 2 teenage children who are VERY creative and are Blender masters who are part of the chorus of youth who think I'm a moron for paying for 3D Max.  Also, I've been forced to let students use my laptop because of Autodesk's stinginess with education packages.  And that's just the last year I'm bracketing.

Get where I'm going here?

I've dealt with every creative software company that's ever existed for 35 years. Every one.  And, for some reason over the last 2 years, I have never felt more undervalued than I have with Autodesk.  As if it's a privilege to use their software. And guess what? All creative software companies I've dealt with that started to show this behavior soon went under. Doesn't mean that's the case with Autodesk, of course (*cough* AI). But the pattern is there.

So, AJ. Before you follow-up by saying "Well, you shouldn't let other people use your laptop. Oh... and keep your kids on a leash." My response to that is... Duh.  And you've completely missed the point of my "rant" (btw- I don't take offense to this word, just calling out your indifference). So I'll say this and I'm done.

You've all convinced me this isn't a scam and this is actually Autodesk's behavior. Which is even scarier to me.

And if anyone is comfortable with a company that sends snipers out to take down random blips on some radar. And then they waste an artist's time by accusing them. Then they casually brush off their plea of innocence. And, finally,  they tell them they owe a blanket amount of thousands of dollars.  That's a crappy company.

And you're next. Innocent or not.

@Dchimenti -this post has been edited due to Community Rules & Etiquette violation.

[JezEmin]

If you've been in the industry as long as you claim, then you would know that nothing should surprise you about Autodesk and their treatment of their customers.

Hence why your post got me thinking that even I should ask if I need to uninstall the subscription 3DS Max software I have installed on my PC whilst I am no longer currently a subscriber (and cannot use the software without a subscription).  To me it shouldn't matter, but to AD, they don't trust their customers.

In fact, as a side story, I stopped my subscription here on AD and ALL my purchase products have disappeared off the My Products page on this website (including my Perpetual licences for 3DS Max).  Why would AD do that?  No good reason as far as I can see (other than to frustrate a customer).

(Sorry to hijack your post).

[Diffus3d]

Well I wasn't trying to pass judgement, I was just trying to relate a tale that it happened to me too.  I guess I said it poorly, I've been under the gun lately.  My apologies.  I am not perfect, nor do I try to be.  I did in face edit my post remove some things, I should have said it 'better'.  Just email them and do what you can to work it out, they are people just like us.  If it's all in innocent error, there should be no problems.   

Regarding the audit:  This type of thing isn't unique to Autodesk, all single sign on software is looking at the same thing.  I can't use Onedrive or MS word without logging in, I can't use Adobe without logging in, I can't use Zbrush without activating, etc.  Soon none of us will be able to use Windows without logging in.  This is just the tip of the coming iceberg.  It's certainly not unique to Autodesk.

@JezEmin, I have no idea, sorry.  The idea behind single sign on is you can't login if you aren't a customer, so having it installed is probably no big deal since it can't be used.  But I am literally just "some guy on the internet".  You would have to contact Autodesk to check on that stuff, I don't really follow the updates to licensing.