Every year, the latest and greatest technology finds its way into our homes, whether it be fancy new TVs, suped-up refrigerators, smart-home upgrades, or powerful computers. Of course, the joys of new tech also come with the headaches of needing tech support, which is exactly why Geek Squad was formed all the way back in 1994 (before becoming part of Best Buy in 2002).
While the actual Geek Squad is still around to fix your tech woes and repair your new appliances, scammers have found a way to impersonate the service to effectively steal millions of dollars from unsuspecting victims. That’s why today we’re going over all the details of Geek Squad scams, showing you how they work and how to stay safe. Let’s get started!
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What is Geek Squad?
If you’ve been into a Best Buy in the last 20-something years, you’ve likely seen a sign for the Geek Squad (or once upon a time, some employees in white button-ups with black ties). These employees are part of Best Buy’s specialized tech support and repair service, known as Geek Squad.
So, the Geek Squad is a real service offered by Best Buy, but it’s important to know if you’re dealing with the real deal or scamming impersonators.
The Geek Squad Scam
The Geek Squad scam has actually turned into a whole catalog of scams, using a wide range of scam techniques to steal victims’ money. Here, we’ll go over the most common so you know exactly what to look out for!
Geek Squad Scam Email
If you’re looking into Geek Squad scams, it’s pretty likely you received some type of email claiming to be from Geek Squad. If your first instinct was to do some searching — rather than clicking any links — you’re off to a great start.
The reality is that almost every type of Geek Squad scam is going to come in the form of an email (we’ll get into all the specifics below), but there are some things scammers do to make the emails look pretty darn convincing.
First, many scam emails are sent using a trick known as email spoofing, which makes the incoming email appear to be sent from a legitimate sender. This means that even emails from an official-looking address can be scammers in disguise, so you can’t automatically assume it’s legit.
Another general feature of most Geek Squad scam emails is some level of phishing. If you want a breakdown on phishing, check out the linked article, but the gist is that unless you’re 100% sure it’s safe, never click links in random emails or texts.
Geek Squad Renewal Scam
Coming in high on the list of common Geek Squad scams is the renewal alert scam. This scam works by scammers sending an official-looking email with an alert that your Geek Squad subscription is going to be auto-renewed and that you will automatically be billed unless you click a link or call a specific number listed in the email.
If you click the link, it will take you to a website that looks just like Best Buy’s membership page, but will prompt you to enter all sorts of sensitive information to cancel your subscription. In reality, it’s actually just a spoofed website used to steal anything you type in. Calling the provided number will ultimately result in scammers tricking you into giving them the same private information or, worse, even giving them remote access to devices that have all of your financial information and passwords.
How to stay safe: If you have been a My Best Buy Total member (the current name for the membership that includes 24/7 Geek Squad support), you could easily believe a related email is legit. If you do get an email, your best bet is to log in to your account directly through the Best Buy website, or contact Geek Squad support on the phone or in person. Whatever you do, don’t click any links or call any numbers in the email, even if there’s a chance it’s the real deal.
Geek Squad Tech Support Scam
Best Buy brings in billions of dollars in revenue, largely due to the fact that many people in the United States (and all around the world, for that matter) frequently or occasionally shop at Best Buy. For criminals, scams are a numbers game, and Best Buy’s large customer base means higher odds of tricking someone who has shopped at Best Buy at some recent point in time.
The tech support scam operates heavily on the odds of finding a number that has purchased a device (typically a computer) from Best Buy. They will call and say that they are from Geek Squad, and they got a notification that your device has been compromised by malware or some other technical issue. They’ll then guide you through steps to “fix” the issue, but they are often just getting you to download programs that give them remote access to everything on your computer.
How to stay safe: Tech support will never call you out of the blue to report an issue. They simply don’t have that kind of access, nor do they have the resources to supervise every device they sell at their stores. Unless you contact tech support directly through Geek Squad, immediately hang up or disregard any communications claiming your device has been compromised.
Geek Squad Invoice Scam
Best Buy sells some pretty big-ticket electronics, so when an invoice comes through your inbox claiming you owe money on a computer, TV, appliance, or even Geek Squad support/repairs, it’s fair to be concerned that you’ve accidentally been charged.
For the Geek Squad-specific version of this scam, the invoice will often be for some Geek Squad-related service, repair, or device warranty/protection. The invoice will look legit and claim that unless you follow the provided link or contact the included number, your account will automatically be charged for the services/product. Once again, it’s all a made-up ploy to steal your private information.
How to stay safe: If you get an invoice from Best Buy/Geek Squad and think it might be legit, contact them directly at the number provided on their actual website. If you do in fact have an outstanding invoice, they’ll confirm it. Realistically, however, it’s going to be a scam 99.9% of the time.
Geek Squad Gift Card Scam
If you weren’t aware, scammers love gift cards. That’s because they’re easy to get and impossible to track or cancel. Not only do they love receiving them, but they also love using the promise of gift cards as a way to scam people out of money outright. With Geek Squad gift card scams, scammers will contact you claiming that you’ve won a Best Buy gift card through some Geek Squad sweepstakes. They’ll then ask you to confirm some information to claim your prize, which is actually just them stealing your private information (once again).
How to stay safe: Unless you’ve entered a very specific giveaway, assume any prize or offer that appears out of the blue to be too good to be true. Scammers have used Publishers Clearing House giveaway scams for years, and that blueprint has spread far and wide. Everyone loves to be a winner, but when it comes to surprise giveaways, it’s almost always the scammers that come out on top.
Geek Squad Scam FAQs
Is Geek Squad a scam?
No, the real Geek Squad isn’t a scam. In fact, it’s a real service that can offer legitimate help for all sorts of technology-related problems. However, scammers like to pose as Geek Squad, so only trust communications you’ve initiated directly through Best Buy or an official Geek Squad agent.
How much is a Geek Squad subscription?
If you’re a My Best Buy Total member, which includes 24/7 Geek Squad support, the current subscription costs $179.99 per year. If you get an email that includes a different number, it’s likely a scam. Even emails with the correct amount can be a scam, so it’s best to contact Best Buy directly if you’re a member and curious about your current subscription status.
How do I cancel a Geek Squad subscription?
If you’re not sure about the legitimacy of a subscription renewal alert, you’ll want to either go to a physical Best Buy store, call their official number at 1-888-BEST BUY (1-888-237-8289), or log in to your BestBuy.com account.
How can I tell if an email or phone call is from the real Geek Squad?
Unless you’ve initiated the correspondence, it’s safe to assume any call, text, or email claiming to be Geek Squad is a scam. If you’re concerned, contact them directly through their official contact information (found in the FAQ directly above).
How can I protect myself from Geek Squad scams?
Whether it’s a Geek Squad scam or just scams in general, here are a few ways to avoid falling victim:
- Never click on links from unsolicited emails or texts (be careful clicking on any link in general).
- Don’t install any software sent to you by people claiming to be Geek Squad agents, especially if it provides remote access.
- Always contact Geek Squad directly through the official Best Buy website.
- Don’t provide passwords, 2FA codes, or other private information to any support agent.
Take Advantage of Tech Tools
The real Geek Squad has been around for so long because it provides a truly helpful tool for those in need of some tech support. Spokeo is the same way, helping people bolster their safety online by letting you check out anyone who’s trying to reach you. You can use it to check unknown numbers, emails, and even names, allowing you to determine whether whoever is contacting you is the real deal or just another imposter in disguise.
Cyrus Grant is a writer from Southern California with a background in law and dispute resolution. When he isn’t writing, he can be found deep-diving into the latest technology trends or simply spending time at the beach.