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Watch Out for This Geek Squad Email Scam
(And What To Do If You Took the Bait)
You just got an email saying your Geek Squad subscription was renewed. It claims you’ve been charged $389.99. There’s a support number to call if you think it’s a mistake. Something feels off. But what if it’s legit?
Pause. Breathe. Don’t call. You’re looking at one of the most common phishing scams out there.
Scammers have been impersonating Geek Squad for years now—preying on fear, confusion, and just enough urgency to make people act without thinking. Here’s how to spot these fake emails, what to do if you’ve already clicked, and how to make sure you’re not the next victim.
The Red Flags: What a Fake Geek Squad Email Looks Like
You don’t need tech training to sniff out a scam—just a healthy dose of skepticism and a few signs to watch for.
Surprise “Renewals” You Never Agreed To
If you suddenly get charged for a service you don’t remember signing up for, don’t panic. That’s step one in the con: create urgency so you feel compelled to respond fast.
Demands for Immediate Payment
Scam emails love fake deadlines. “You’ll be charged within 12 hours unless you call now” is a classic scare tactic to push you into contacting them.
Weird Email Addresses
At first glance, it might look like it’s from Geek Squad. But look closer. You’ll often see misspellings, random characters, or domains that mimic the real ones but are slightly off—like “geeksquad-support.com” instead of “bestbuy.com”.
Sloppy Writing and Strange Formatting
If the email is littered with grammatical mistakes or awkward phrasing, that’s your cue. Real corporate emails go through proofreading. Scams? Not so much.
Fake Customer Support Numbers
These emails often list a number to “resolve” the issue. Don’t call it. That’s the hook. Once they’ve got you on the phone, the real scam begins.
Links You Shouldn’t Touch
Hover over any links without clicking. If they go somewhere sketchy or don’t clearly lead to a known website, back away.
Scam Variants That Keep Making the Rounds
These aren’t one-size-fits-all. Scammers tailor their playbooks, so here’s what’s out there now:
The “You’ve Been Charged” Bait
This one’s a classic. An email claims your Geek Squad renewal went through—usually $300 to $500—and gives you a number to call if you didn’t authorize it. Once you’re on the line, they ask for card details to “reverse the charge.” (Spoiler: the only thing getting reversed is your bank balance.)
The “Refund Department” Ruse
They pretend you’re owed money because you overpaid or canceled a service. The catch? They’ll need your bank account to process the refund. You can guess what happens next.
The Tech Support Trap
This version warns of an issue with your device. You’re urged to call “Geek Squad” so they can fix it. But really, they’ll walk you through installing remote access software. Now they control your computer—and your data.
How to Outsmart the Scam
You don’t need to be paranoid, just alert. A few key habits can save you a ton of grief.
Always Go Direct
If you get an email about a charge or issue, skip the link. Log in to your Best Buy account directly and check your history. If something’s off, you’ll see it there.
Don’t Click What You Don’t Trust
Even opening a shady attachment can install malware. If you didn’t expect it and it’s not from someone you know, delete it.
Scrutinize the Sender
A single character off in the sender’s address is enough to blow the scam wide open. Train your eye to spot subtle differences.
Never Call the Provided Number
If they want you to call them—that’s usually a setup. Always verify official support numbers through a trusted source like the company’s actual website.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
That extra step when logging in can make all the difference. Even if scammers snag your password, they still won’t get through.
Set Up Email Filters
Use spam filters or security settings to automatically flag or block suspicious senders.
Oops—You Interacted with a Scam Email. Now What?
Don’t beat yourself up. It happens to the best of us. Here’s how to contain the damage:
Change Passwords Immediately
Especially if you typed them in anywhere related to the scam. Start with your email, bank accounts, and any shopping platforms.
Monitor Your Accounts Like a Hawk
Check your bank and credit card transactions over the next few days. Anything fishy? Report it on the spot.
Scan Your Devices
Download a reputable antivirus tool and run a full scan. If something got in, kick it out before it does more damage.
Report the Scam
Forward the sketchy email to:
📩 reportphishing@apwg.org
📩 You can also file a complaint at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Every report helps build a case and shuts down future scams.
FAQs: Geek Squad Scam Edition
How can I tell if a Geek Squad email is real?
Legit Geek Squad emails will:
Come from a verified Best Buy domain like @bestbuy.com
Never demand payment or urgent action out of nowhere
Let you verify charges by logging into your actual account
If the message pressures you into clicking or calling immediately, that’s a red flag.
What should I do if I already called the number?
Hang up. Then:
Monitor your bank account for any weird activity
Run a security scan on your device
Report what happened to your bank and the FTC
If you let them access your computer, disconnect from the internet and get professional IT help ASAP.
How do I prevent these scams in the future?
Use strong, unique passwords—and update them regularly
Enable two-factor authentication on everything you can
Be cautious about posting your email address online
Stay skeptical of any message that creates a sense of panic
We hope you enjoy reading this informational blog post.
If you want DeleteMyinfo to help you remove your information from Google, contact us.
Can Services Like DeleteMyInfo Actually Help?
Here’s the deal: scammers don’t always guess your details—they often find them online. Services like DeleteMyInfo exist to scrub your personal info from data brokers, old directories, and other places you never meant to share it.
They won’t make you bulletproof, but they do shrink the surface area scammers can target. Less of your info out there = fewer scam attempts in your inbox.
It’s one of those things that’s easy to forget about—until your identity’s been used to open a fake credit card. Think of it like digital hygiene. Regular cleaning, fewer problems.
Stay sharp out there. Scams thrive on urgency, fear, and confusion. When in doubt, slow down. Ask questions. Trust your gut. Your data (and sanity) are worth protecting.
