I too received the Christmas Offer but decided it was too good to be true, but I clicked the link just to see how far it would take me.
It went to 'live chat'.
Here is the transcript, I've taken out some small detail, like my email address and I have also rejigged and removed some of the actual link, don't want to post something that is not needed.
Diana Wilson: Thank you for contacting Norton Renewal Center. This is Diana to assist you with renewing your Norton Subscription with Christmas Renewal Offer. May I put you on hold while I check your Norton account details?
8:28 pm Norton User: yes
8:29 pm Diana : May I confirm your email address as xxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxco.uk?
8:29 pm Norton User: yes it is
8:29 pm Diana: You have been nominated for Christmas Renewal Offer.
According to this Renewal offer you will get 2 months of free Subscription with 1 year Renewal and 6 months of free Subscription with 2-year Renewal.
Would you like to renew your Norton Subscription with this Renewal offer?
8:30 pm Norton User: I have already done so, Order No: NPxxxxxxxx, 22 Dec 2011
All that remains now is for you to add a further 6 months subscription to the existing expiry date taking the current subscription up to the 14th July 2014.
8:32 pm Diana: As you have not purchased the renewal through this channel , we will not able to add free months of subscription. If you want to add free months I can process the refund for your Order Number NPxxxxxxxx and you can go ahead with this offer.The amount you paid on 22 Dec 2011 will be credited back to you. and you need to purchase the renewal through this channel. Shall I process a refund for you? You have purchased the renewal through Symantec Online Store and Christmas Renewal Offer is from Norton Renewal Center an another department of Symantec.
8:35 pm Norton User: Well that is confussing because the email offer stated 'You can grab this offer even if you have renewed your subscription recently (max. 60 days back) from Symantec Online Store'
So if I didn't buy it from Norton, who did I buy it from? Is Norton and Symantec not the same company?
8:36 pm Diana: Yes , Norton is a product of Symantec. But for Christmas Offer , Symantec has arranged a separate channel as Norton Renewal Center. If you wish to get free months I can issue a refund for you and you can go ahead with Christmas Renewal Offer.
8:39 pm Norton User: What are they trying to do, make work or confuse the customers?
Not your fault I know but they have messed me about before.
Anyway, if you would like to arrange a refund, I'll start again
8:40 pm Diana: Ok.
I will assist you to renew Norton subscription with this offer. We may remotely assist you by accessing your computer. In this session we will assist you to purchase the subscription and to put the Renewal code into Norton software. We will also install latest version of Norton if you wish (It is a free upgrade). This will be easier and quicker for completing the renewal.
Shall we proceed with tihs?
Please click on the link given above. You will get a prompt to click on Save or Run buttons, please click on “Run” button. If you get option to 'Save' and 'Cancel', then please click on 'Save'.
8:43 pm Did you click on the link given above?
Norton User: Sorry Diana, I don't like the link so I will not be proceeding any further, bye
8:45 pm Diana: Its a link to connect for Remote Assistance. Norton uses Logmein software to assist their customers.
Please wait. Many big companies use Logmein to support their customers.
That's it, I didn't click the link and I logged off.
But what did she (if she were really a she) write?
'We may remotely assist you by accessing your computer. In this session we will assist you to purchase the subscription and to put the Renewal code into Norton software.'
I don't think Norton ever ask for access to your computer.
And then as a sweetner as if you are getting something for free,.....We will also install latest version of Norton if you wish (It is a free upgrade).
Sorry, I wasn't born yesterday.
If in doubt, do nowt!
[edit: Please do not post identifying information per the Participation Guidelines and Terms of Service.]