In recent years, scams impersonating Geek Squad, the well-known tech support service owned by Best Buy, have surged. These scams prey on fear, urgency, and confusion—often convincing victims that their computers or bank accounts are at risk. Understanding how the Geek Squad scam works is the first step toward protecting yourself.
What Is the Geek Squad Scam?
The Geek Squad scam is a form of impersonation fraud. Scammers pretend to be representatives from Geek Squad and contact victims with false claims, such as:
- Your Geek Squad subscription is about to renew
- You’ve been charged hundreds of dollars for tech support
- Your computer has been hacked or infected with malware
The goal is to trick you into paying money, sharing personal information, or giving remote access to your computer.
Importantly, Geek Squad itself is not the scammer—criminals are simply abusing the brand’s name and reputation.
Common Types of Geek Squad Scams
1. Fake Renewal Emails
You receive an email claiming your Geek Squad subscription will auto-renew for a large amount (e.g., $399.99). The email urges you to call a phone number immediately to cancel.
Once you call, the scammer:
- Pressures you to act fast
- Requests credit card or bank information
- May ask you to install remote access software
2. Phone Call Scams
Scammers cold-call victims, claiming:
- Your computer is sending error signals
- Your Best Buy or Geek Squad account has been compromised
They then guide you to fake diagnostics and demand payment for “repairs.”
3. Pop-Up Warnings
While browsing the web, a pop-up appears claiming:
- “Geek Squad Alert: Your PC is infected!”
These pop-ups often lock your browser and provide a phone number that leads directly to scammers.
Red Flags to Watch For
Be cautious if you notice any of the following:
- Unsolicited emails or calls claiming to be Geek Squad
- Urgent language demanding immediate action
- Requests for remote access to your device
- Pressure to pay via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
- Email addresses that don’t end in @bestbuy.com
Geek Squad does not randomly call customers or send alarming pop-ups.
What to Do If You’re Targeted
- Do not call the number provided in suspicious messages
- Do not click links or download attachments
- Delete the email or close the pop-up immediately
- Verify your account by logging into Best Buy’s official website directly
- If you’ve already interacted, disconnect your computer from the internet
What If You’ve Been Scammed?
If you believe you’ve fallen victim:
- Contact your bank or credit card company immediately
- Change all passwords, especially for financial accounts
- Run a full malware scan on your computer
- Report the scam to:
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Your local consumer protection agency
Final Thoughts
The Geek Squad scam thrives on panic and impersonation. By staying calm, skeptical, and informed, you can avoid becoming a victim. Remember: legitimate companies don’t pressure you, demand unusual payment methods, or ask for unsolicited remote access.
When in doubt, pause, verify, and report. Awareness is your best defense.
