You probably have already heard about the Geek Squad Scam at your workplace, college, or elsewhere, but do you know exactly what it is? Probably not. So, here’s everything about the popular Geek Squad scam and how to avoid it.
The last few years have been worse regarding Internet scams, as nearly a couple million lost their hard-earned money. One of the leading scams where people lost the most money is related to Geek Squad, a PC-tech support-based subsidiary of Best Buy.
In this scam, tricksters imitate the legit service, making people fall for their plan and lose their data, device, and money. It’s a dangerous scam that may put you at a lot of risk if you become a victim. That’s why this is a very important guide for everyone.
What Is The Geek Squad Scam?
The Geek Squad scam is a computer software fraud where cybercriminals send a fake email pretending it’s an official transaction confirmation from Geek Squad. For context, Geek Squad is a subsidiary of Best Buy that provides technical support and covers help with spyware and virus removal, software installation, and general computer troubleshooting.
When a scammer sends you an email pretending to be Geek Squad, it will contain information regarding a subscription renewal or order you don’t know about. The email will have fake invoice numbers, renewal dates, and other details to appear real.
There will also be official logos and promotional banners in the email. All of this makes the receivers believe that it’s legitimate and there might be a problem. The scammer also puts their numbers in and asks recipients to contact them for assistance with their order.
What Happens When You Contact The Geek Squad Scammer?
When you call the given number and contact the scammer from the Geek Squad scam, they will claim that a transaction has taken place from your account. They explain that you can cancel the transaction only with their help. The innocent victims fall for this.
And once the victim believes that the procedure is legit, the scammer starts asking for the victim’s details, including credit card details, social security numbers, and several other sensitive details on the phone.
Some persistent scammers explain to the victims that they can’t cancel or reverse the subscription transaction from their end and must grant remote access to them to do so. They claim weird computer behaviours as a reason for the happening.
If you believe this, you are on the verge of getting scammed. Now the scammer will ask you to install software, which is spyware, virus, or a tool that will unknowingly make them control your device.
Using that, the trickster will make massive bank transactions to empty your account, steal your data and ask for ransom, pay for remote support, and charge “cancellation fees” for the fake transaction.
How To Know If It’s A Geek Squad Scam Email?
There are certain things you can look for to spot a fake Geek Squad scam email. This would be helpful if you have been a Geek Squad subscriber and can easily distinguish between true and false. These tips will help you to stay safe from fake emails and falling into the traps set by tricksters:
- Firstly, look for the email address you have received the mail from. If it contains a misspelt company name or appears a bit generic, it is a hundred per cent fake email.
- Next, check the content of the email for proper structuring, spelling, and grammatical errors. If there are mistakes present, then it is a fake email.
- The scammers don’t know your name, so there won’t be a name in the fake email. If there is a wrong name or the name of someone from your family, then also it’s a fake email.
- If the displayed transaction in the email is in a different currency, it’s fake.
- When the email urgently asks (or orders) you to reply or connect with a support rep, it’s likely a scammer trying to make you fall by creating a sense of urgency. Geek Squad usually provides seven days to cancel subscriptions.
- When no transaction has been made from your account, but the email shows one, it’s fake.
These are some pointers you need to check for when you receive a supposedly fake email as part of the Geek Squad scam.
Types Of Geek Squad Scam Emails:
There are different types of Geek Squad scam emails that scammers send. From auto-renewal and overpayment to password reset, and even tech support, we will explain the most common types of emails you may receive as part of the scam.
If you receive an email from Geek Squad about any of the topics mentioned below, be extra cautious, as there is a high chance it’s a fake email to scam you.
1. Autorenewal Scam:
The Geek Squad auto-renewal scam email will claim that your subscription has been renewed and you are about to be charged for the same. It’ll further claim that you can’t cancel it yourself, and you must contact the given details or click on the link to seek support for cancellation.
And, when you do that, you’ll be in touch with a scammer who’ll guide you to getting scammed. They will ask for your personal information, including bank account or credit card details, and they might even ask you to grant remote access to your PC. Never do any of these.
If you’ve never signed up for Geek Squad’s services or have cancelled the membership on time, don’t believe the service automatically renewed due to a glitch. It’s just a way to scam you.
2. Overpayment Scam:
An overpayment or accidental refund scam is another common Geek Squad scam. In this act, the scammer sends you an email asking you to fill out a form to get a refund of the extra payment you made for the subscription.
In another sub-type of this scam, the scammer claims they refunded you extra money, and you need to return the difference. Don’t fall for it, and ignore the email if you haven’t manually applied for a refund from Geek Squad.
3. Tech Support Scam:
Tech Support is one more common type of Geek Squad scam where the scammer may email you to offer support or directly call you to offer their service. They will ask you to send them money and install certain software, which is malware to infect your systems.
Some scammers will start mildly by offering you antivirus protection. They may even ask you to provide remote access to your computer so that they can do everything themselves. Never believe them.
4. Password Reset Scam:
The Password Reset scam email will claim that your reset attempt has failed, and you must do it from a given link in the email. The link could be a phishing attempt or might lead you to threats like malware, spyware, etc. Don’t click on it.
When you open it, it will lead you to the login page of Best Buy, but it won’t be the real one but a cleanly built copy to scam you. If you haven’t requested a password reset from Best Buy but still received such an email, it’s probably a fake one to scam you.
5. Protection Plan Scam:
In the Protection Plan scam, you will receive an email about the services and benefits of having a Geek Squad service, and the scammers will claim to offer the plans at very high discounts. The plans are so good that you may even consider buying the service then and there.
When you do this, you are in the hands of scammers. They will sell you a fake service, steal money from you, and infect your system for further damage. Don’t fall for such emails; only purchase the official Best Buy website subscription.
How To Stay Safe From The Geek Squad Scam?
Staying safe from the Geek Squad email scam is crucial, as it may severely impact your life. The scammers are behind your money, data, and devices. You must keep all of them protected. To do that, the first step is to realize that it’s a Geek Squad scam email and not the real one.
Once you know that, you will learn to avoid it. Don’t act on anything mentioned in the mail, don’t click on the given links, don’t open pictures available in the mail, or dial any given number. If you have already dialled and talked to a scammer, block the number and never get in touch again.
Apart from that, you must follow the general measures to stay protected. Always use a strong password, and don’t use a similar password for different accounts. Most importantly, always spread awareness among peers, so no one falls victim to scammers.
Where To Report Geek Squad Scam Emails?
Geek Squad and Best Buy have a dedicated helpline for users to report and register scams. When you make a complaint, they will thoroughly launch an investigation, making the life of scammers a bit tough. So, if you have received a Geek Squad scam email, immediately contact at 1-888-237-8289 to report it.
This will protect others from falling prey to the same set of scammers. If you have opened the email and clicked on a link accidentally or unknowingly, scan your computer using a reliable antivirus solution. Make sure the virus definitions are updated.
If you have unknowingly shared your personal details or banking information with scammers, change all your passwords and ask the bank to freeze your account temporarily. You can also report the incident to the cyber cell of your local police. This will prevent any mishappenings.
Frequently Asked Questions:
A: Geek Squad Scam is a computer software fraud where scammers pretend to be from Best Buy’s subsidiary and trick innocent people.
A: Geek Squad tech support is an email scam where fraudsters send you fake emails. However, sometimes the scammers may also call you directly.
A: Geek Squad is a trusted company providing tech support services. However, sometimes scammers may impersonate Geek Squad to indulge in fraud.
A: You can recognize any Geek Squad scam email by thoroughly reading and learning the abovementioned pointers. Differentiating between a real and a fake email is simple. Just look at the fake email keenly, and you’ll find grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and a generic or misspelt email address.
A: You can stay safe from Geek Squad scam emails by completely avoiding whatever is written in the email. The best measure is not to open the email. If you have already opened it, don’t click on any links, open pictures, or contact any of the given numbers or email addresses. Just ignore the email.
A: You can report the scam email to Geek Squad support at 1-888-237-8289.
Final Take:
Geek Squad Scam is a rising computer software fraud compromising many people in the U.S. and other regions. In this scam, fraudsters imitate Geek Squad, the Best Buy subsidiary, and con people into giving them money, remote access to their devices, or stealing their data.
We have explained how to determine the scam, avoid it, and stay safe. If you have fallen victim to the scam, immediately report it to the designated authorities and your bank. The quicker you act, the better the chances of recovery.
That’s all for this post. I hope you have learned enough. Feel free to use the comment box to seek further help.
This is Saquib, a technology and social media expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. With a passion for staying up-to-date on the latest developments and trends in the tech and social media world and as a writer, I have been creating informative and engaging content that is easy for readers to understand and enjoy, also published in several leading tech and social media publications and is a regular speaker at industry events. In addition to my writing and speaking engagements, I also work as a consultant, helping businesses grow with the ever-changing tech and social media niche.
