What is the Geek Squad scam and how can you avoid it?

In 2023, consumers submitted around 52,000 reports of scammers posing as Best Buy or its tech support brand, Geek Squad, according to data collected by the Federal Trade Commission—that’s more than any other company. While these numbers may sound jarring, understanding how a Geek Squad scam works can help you avoid falling for them.

What is the Geek Squad email scam?

The Geek Squad email scam involves fraudsters impersonating Geek Squad (Best Buy) representatives to steal personal information or trick people into paying for fake services. Geek Squad is a legitimate tech support company owned by Best Buy that helps with tech setups and repairs. Scammers take advantage of the company’s good reputation by sending phishing emails masquerading as Geek Squad emails. 

3 types of Geek Squad scam emails

Cybercriminals use multiple types of Geek Squad phishing emails to trick unsuspecting people into providing personal information or payment details. Watch out for the following scam emails:

1. Geek Squad renewal scam

The Geek Squad auto-renewal scam or invoice scam involves cybercriminals sending fake emails warning you about an upcoming auto-renewal of your Geek Squad subscription. The email states that if you want to cancel the subscription and upcoming charge, you need to call a number or click a link that leads to a fake website. You’ll then be asked to provide personal details like your home address, credit card number, or Social Security number for “verification” purposes.

Scammers can then use your address and personal information to steal your identity or make purchases on your card.

2. Geek Squad antivirus software scam

Some Geek Squad phishing emails use scare tactics, like telling you your device is infected with malware. They urge you to download antivirus software through a link provided in the email to protect your personal information. Once you download the fake antivirus software, cybercriminals can access all the data on your device or spy on you. They can then sell the data on the dark web or use it for identity fraud.

3. Geek Squad password reset scam

The Geek Squad password reset scam is a phishing attack where cybercriminals send emails claiming there has been suspicious activity on your Best Buy account. The email urges you to reset your password using a link provided, which directs you to a website designed to look like the official Best Buy login page.

However, this site is a pharming trap that steals your login credentials. Once you enter your username and password, scammers can use the information to access your account, steal personal details, and make unauthorized purchases in your name.

How to spot a Geek Squad scam email

To avoid Geek Squad scam emails, you need to know how to spot them. Look out for the following signs that a scammer is targeting you:

• Sense of urgency: Scammers often use scare tactics to try and trick you into responding quickly without thinking.
• Odd email address: Email addresses from scammers may look similar to the official Geek Squad email, but they won't match exactly.
• Addressing you generically: Criminals often send out large batches of scam emails and use generic introductions like "Dear Sir/Madam." Emails that don't address you by name should raise red flags.
• Poor grammar or spelling: Emails from legitimate organizations like Best Buy or Geek Squad typically won’t contain poor grammar or spelling mistakes.
• Notifications on accounts you don't have: Criminals running a Geek Squad scam will still target you even if you don't have a Geek Squad subscription. The idea is to get you to “cancel” your non-existent membership and provide information to do so. They’ll make it a costly fee to encourage you to act quickly so you don’t get “charged.”

What to do if you fall for a Geek Squad scam

Some Geek Squad scams are highly polished and the emails look professional, making it easier to fall for these scams. If you accidentally provide a scammer with your personal information or click a sketchy link, follow these steps to help prevent identity theft:

1. Protect your credit: Set up a fraud alert or freeze your credit with the credit bureaus. This helps stop criminals from opening up new lines of credit in your name.
   
2. Report the scam: Report the scam to the Geek Squad support team via an official channel. Then report resulting identity fraud to the FTC, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), and your payment card issuer or bank.
   
3. Watch your financial accounts: Regularly check your accounts for unusual activity, like unexpected charges or unfamiliar transactions. If you see anything strange, contact your bank or card issuer immediately.
   
4. Invest in identity theft protection tools: Identity theft protection tools like LifeLock Standard can help protect against identity theft and help you restore your identity if fraud occurs.

Help safeguard your information from scammers

Geek Squad scams impact thousands of people every year, but you can help avoid getting duped by understanding how the scam works. As scammers cultivate more elaborate schemes, stay ahead of them by combining awareness with identity theft protection tools.

LifeLock Standard can help you monitor^† your personal information and notify you if suspicious activity involving your info is flagged. And if you ever become a victim of identity theft, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that LifeLock’s dedicated U.S-based restoration specialists are standing by to help you recover. Start your LifeLock membership today.

FAQs about Geek Squad scams

Still have questions about the Geek Squad scam? Here’s what you need to know.

What is Geek Squad?

Geek Squad is a subsidiary of Best Buy and provides 24/7 technical support for its members over the phone or online chat. You can also take your product to a Best Buy store and speak to an agent in person.

How do I report a fake Geek Squad email?

If you believe you received a scam Geek Squad email, report it to Geek Squad, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

How to verify if a Geek Squad email is legitimate?

If you’ve already checked for common signs of a Geek Squad scam email, it’s best to contact Best Buy support directly. From their support site, you can contact Geek Squad via a contact form or by phone at (888) 237-8289.