More than 20 years after it entered its unique partnership with Best Buy, the Geek Squad has become ubiquitous for fast, easy technical support. It’s many people’s first call when they can’t seem to get their computer, phone, or tablet working. In recent years, however, scammers have begun exploiting the company’s public trust by employing various Geek Squad scams.
So, what is the Geek Squad scam? It centers around a handful of tried-and-true strategies and tactics. One of the biggest obstacles in countering these Geek Squad scams is the relative lack of awareness; it simply hasn’t received as much attention as other scams.
Below are ways you can both recognize a Geek Squad scam and alert the right people of your suspicions.
What Is the “Geek Squad Scam?”
In the Geek Squad scam, criminals pose as employees of the Geek Squad, a legitimate technical support service provided by Best Buy. It’s important to know that there isn’t one singular Geek Squad scam, but rather several strategies in which scammers use the authoritative reputation of Geek Squad to help carry out the fraud.
Three distinct—and common—scams are known to exist within the Geek Squad scam umbrella: auto-renewal hoaxes, phishing emails, and technical support scams. Below are overviews of each type of Geek Squad-adjacent scam.
Geek Squad Auto-Renewal Scam
The renewal scam, or auto-renewal scam, is the type of Geek Squad scam most commonly cited by victims. Here’s how it works:
Fraudsters start by sending you an email that your technical support subscription with Geek Squad has just auto-renewed. If you don’t want the auto-renewal or believe it was a mistake (it most certainly was), you need to call the number at the bottom of the email or text message to get a refund.
Once the scammers get you on the phone, their goal is to extract your banking account information or other sensitive details. If they succeed, you might soon have a financial mess on your hands.
Geek Squad Phishing Email
Another way scammers can use the Geek Squad brand to steal your information is by sending a phishing email, text, or instant message. A phishing email is a fraudulent message in which scammers pose as someone from a legitimate business or organization; the content of the email can vary, but the point is to persuade you to take a requested action. More often than not, that involves entering information on an official-looking (but imposter) website.
In the context of a Geek Squad scam, these phishing emails often claim that Best Buy’s technical support staff has detected a virus on your computer, phone, or tablet. Scammers may ask for remote access to your device in order to “fix” the problem. Once they gain remote access, they can install malware or other programs to steal your sensitive information.
Geek Squad Password Reset Scam
The third main type of Geek Squad scam is an iteration of the common password reset hoax. The setup is simple: you receive an unexpected email informing you that your Geek Squad login information may have been compromised and that you need to reset it.
To reset the information, of course, you’ll need to use your current login details to access your account. The phishing email will direct you to an imposter Best Buy website, where the scammers harvest victims’ sensitive information. From there, they can sell login details on the dark web or funnel money into their own coffers.
4 Signs of the Geek Squad Scam
Fortunately, many communications from Geek Squad scammers contain features that indicate you’re not dealing with a legitimate person. Here are five signs that the email, text, or phone call you just received may not be on the level.
1. The “Geek Squad” Contacts You Unexpectedly
Geek Squad scammers are playing a numbers game—they don’t have time to try to form relationships with their victims. Instead, they get right to the point: your bank account has just been debited $400 for auto-renewal, or your computer has malware that must be dealt with urgently. Allegedly, of course.
If you have never previously engaged with Geek Squad representatives before they contact you about a problem with your account or device, you should assume you’re dealing with a scammer.
2. The Scammer Mentions That Your Issue Requires Urgent Assistance
Scam artists often create a sense of urgency by telling the victim that the problem is serious and needs to be fixed immediately. For instance, you can only get a refund for the auto renewal if you call them and provide personal information within 24 hours. The idea is to have you perform a requested action before you really have time to think.
3. The Scammer Requests Remote Access to Your Computer
Scammers commonly ask victims to grant them remote access to their computer or device. Geek Squad does offer this kind of remote tech support servicing, but they will always verify their credentials before doing so. They’ll also either stay on the phone with you or have a live chat so they don’t perform any nefarious actions.
4. You Receive an Offer for an Unnecessary Service
When Geek Squad fraudsters aren’t trying to convince consumers that their electronic device has a serious problem, they’re usually lying about the need for an update or an extra feature. You should know that many device updates are free, while upgrades may be included as part of your warranties or service plans.
When dealing with a possible Geek Squad Scam, ask the caller to provide you with a website you can check out or schedule an in-person appointment to review the services.
What to Do if You Smell a Geek Squad Scam
Now that you know the general contours of a typical Geek Squad scam and how to recognize one, you can fight back.
Tips for holding Geek Squad scammers accountable include:
- Use PeopleFinders to perform a reverse phone number search or email lookup if you get a suspicious message.
- Hang up and contact the real Geek Squad customer service line.
- Block the email address or phone number from which the message originated.
- Disconnect your device from the internet if you have already granted remote access to a Geek Squad scammer.
- Hold down your computer power button for 10 seconds (hard shutdown) if you suspect a scammer has installed something.
- Use your antivirus software (or purchase a new program) to ensure your device is safe.
- Keep an eye out for suspicious charges on your bank account.
As always, let the FTC know about potential scams, and contact your state attorney general’s office.
Beat Geek Squad Scammers with PeopleFinders
The FTC logged more than 52,000 Geek Squad scam attempts in 2023, and the annual number may well have increased since then. Scammers are always changing and adapting, too, which means you must remain skeptical.
To ensure you know exactly who is calling or emailing you, use the trusted services of PeopleFinders. Taking the extra step to verify someone’s identity can pay off big time in the long run.
