Geek Squad scams. All you need to know about them to stay safe

For many people, Geek Squad is a trusted name for tech support and repairs on electronics bought from Best Buy. However, some cybercriminals are taking advantage of this trusted name by sending fake phishing emails pretending to be from Geek Squad.

These phishing emails are designed to look completely legitimate and like they are sent from Geek Squad representatives. They include made-up order numbers, fake billing information, and bogus renewal notices to make the emails seem real and official. However, the true goal of these criminals is to trick people into either clicking on malicious links that install malware on their devices, downloading malware disguised as software, or providing sensitive personal and financial information like passwords and credit card numbers.

If someone falls victim to these scam emails and takes the actions the scammers want, like clicking links or entering credentials, the cybercriminals can then access and steal that person's private data, like banking details.

Here’s an overview of the six most common Geek Squad Scams

The Renewal Scam. Scammers send emails claiming you have an auto-renewing Geek Squad or Best Buy subscription that needs to be cancelled. The email urges you to click a link to cancel and avoid charges. However, this link goes to a fake website designed to steal your credit card details and other sensitive information like your social security number when you try to "cancel" the nonexistent subscription.

The Fake antivirus software scam. Geek Squad scammers email you to warn you about malware infections and offer free antivirus software to download for protection. But the downloadable file is actually malware itself, designed to infect your device and potentially give scammers remote access, steal data, and target your financial accounts.

Geek Squad tech support scam. Scammers call you pretending to be Geek Squad technicians, claiming your device has a malware infection, or you owe money. They pressure you to allow remote access, download software (actually malware) onto your devices, or make payments for fake services. Sometimes, scammers create fake websites that provide fraudulent phone numbers for the Geek Squad. When you call, they route the calls to their phones and start running their scams.

Password reset scam. In this phishing attack, you may receive an email that prompts you to reset your password, citing suspicious activity on your account. However, if you click the password reset link in the email, it will take you to a fake website that looks like the official "BestBuy.com" login page. This phishing site is designed to trick you into providing your personal information. When you enter your username and password on this fake website, the scammers will receive and use them to obtain your financial information and make purchases in your name.

Invoice Scam. This scam aims to lure users into paying invoices to scammers' accounts. The scammers can either send phishing emails or hijack Geek Squad employee emails to gain access to all clients, their email accounts, previous transactions, banking information, and invoices and send them fake invoices.

Source: Office of Information Technology

The "protection" plan scam. Scammers impersonate Geek Squad technicians to sell you worthless antivirus or protection plans that either do nothing, install malware, or give them access to your devices.

Signs You're Being Targeted by a Scam:

• You receive an invoice or renewal notice for Geek Squad services that you never requested.

• Emails from Geek Squad emails come from an address slightly different than the official one.

• You get an unexpected email or phone call claiming your device is infected with a virus. Legitimate companies cannot detect viruses on your devices without prior access.

• The scammers ask for remote access to your device to "fix" the supposed problem. Be cautious about allowing anyone to remotely access your computer or download software, especially if unsolicited.

• You receive an unsolicited phone call claiming to be from Geek Squad or another tech support company. These businesses rarely initiate direct contact.

• You get a password reset email for an account you do not actually have.

• Any links in the suspicious emails take you to websites that do not appear secure or are not on the proper company's official domain.

How to Protect Yourself

The best defense against Geek Squad email scams is taking preventative measures:

Verify the email address is from Geek Squad's official support team before responding. Scammers often use lookalike addresses.
Never click on links or attachments from unfamiliar senders. You can scan the links/files with free online analysis tools if uncertain.
Protect your devices with reliable antivirus software with real-time monitoring and malware removal capabilities.
If scammers persist in sending suspicious emails, block the senders.
When in doubt, contact Geek Squad directly through their official website or published customer service channels.
Never send personal or financial information via unsecured channels like email.
Check the communication you receive with Scamio.

Scamio is our AI-powered tool dedicated to helping you identify and avoid potential scams. When unsure about an email, you can check it with Scamio on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or a web browser. It's free and easy to use. Copy/ paste a text or link, describe the situation, and upload the image or the QR code you want to verify. Scamio will analyze the data and tell you if anyone is trying to scam you. You can also help others stay safe by sharing Scamio with them.

Q&A

How can I tell if an email claiming to be from Geek Squad is legitimate?

Carefully check the sender's email address - scammers often use lookalike addresses that are slightly different from the real Geek Squad/Best Buy addresses. Also, be wary of unsolicited emails claiming your subscription needs renewal or asking you to reset your password. When in doubt, don't click any links. Instead, use Scamio to ckeck it and contact Geek Squad through their official website.

I received a phone call from someone claiming to be a Geek Squad tech support agent, saying my computer is infected with a virus. What should I do?

This is likely a common tech support scam. Legitimate companies cannot detect viruses on your computer without prior access. Never give remote access or download anything from unsolicited callers. Hang up and contact Geek Squad directly via their official support channels if you have real security concerns.

I received an invoice by email from what looks like Geek Squad asking me to pay for services. How can I tell if this is a legitimate invoice or a scam?

Here are some tips to identify a fake Geek Squad invoice email:

- Check the sender's email address carefully for misspellings or inconsistencies

- Look for lack of details like order number, customer info, service description

- Never call numbers listed on the suspicious invoice

- Be wary if it demands payment via wire transfer or gift cards

- Verify any unexpected invoices through your online account or by calling Geek Squad's official support line before paying

The key is confirming the invoice's legitimacy directly with Geek Squad, as scammers try to pressure people into paying fraudulent bills out of obligation.