Geek Squad Scams: What Are They and How To Stop Them

Geek Squad scams are getting increasingly popular among hackers. They’re using a well-known brand to build trust with potential victims and launch credible phishing scams. These attacks can result in anything from financial loss to identity theft.

Practicing good cyber hygiene and using the best identity protection programs can help you stop these schemes. Keep reading to learn about Geek Squad scams, how to avoid them, and what to do if you’ve fallen victim to one.

What are Geek Squad scams?

Geek Squad scams are phishing attacks launched by criminals posing as Best Buy agents. A phishing scam is a cyberattack designed to trick you into doing something and steal your private info.

They usually start with text messages or emails asking you to click a link or fill out a form. They rely on the trust associated with the Geek Squad brand to convince you to share sensitive information.

Geek Squad scams are more difficult to recognize than “regular” phishing; criminals will take their time to craft official-sounding messages designed to mimic legitimate Geek Squad correspondence. Fortunately, despite branding consistency, you can still catch some red flags if you’re looking closely enough.

How do Geek Squad scams work?

No matter how sophisticated, all Geek Squad scams have the same basic “anatomy.” Here are their three main components:

1. The initial contact: Scammers will send a message to hook you and spark interest. They’ll usually send an email but can use any form of communication.
2. Establishing trust: In this case, the scammer will impersonate a Geek Squad agent. Regardless of the actual hook and story, they’ll always prompt you to do something (fill out a form, click a link, share some info, etc.).
3. Stealing your info: If you comply, the criminal will steal and use your information for personal gain. Valid targets include your credit card numbers, login credentials, bank account information, Social Security number, and more.

How to recognize Geek Squad scams

Phishing tactics are limited only by the scammer’s imagination. Fortunately, we can learn to recognize the common red flags and techniques they employ.

Here are some of the most glaring indicators of a phishing attempt:

Sense of urgency

Pressuring you to act removes your critical thinking from the equation. Driven by fear or panic, you might do something without thinking things through. Scammers want you to panic and take the bait as quickly as possible.

Unusual email addresses

Scammers can’t replicate the official Geek Squad email addresses. They’ll try their best, but there will always be something off about them. Some examples include:

• geeksquad.support@gmail.com (uses a Gmail domain)
• geeksquad_service@geeksquad.co (uses the .co domain)
• support@geeksqaud.com (misspells geeksquad as geeksqaud)
• geeksquad_customer_service@yahoo.com (uses a Yahoo domain)
• customersupport@geek-squad.net (uses the .net domain)

The message is not personalized

Scammers often send Geek Squad scam emails in bulk. So, the chances of addressing you by name are very low. The Geek Squad phishing email will likely start with something impersonal like Dear Sir/Madam or Dear User.

Suspicious links

Geek Squad phishing emails will always include malicious links. These can either take you to a copycat website to record your info or infuse your device with malware immediately.

You can hover your cursor over a link and see where it leads. If its path doesn’t lead to bestbuy.com, it’s a scam, and you shouldn’t click on it. Mobile users don’t have this feature, so we recommend checking suspicious links exclusively on desktop devices.

Personal info requests

Instead of sending you links, scammers can outright ask you to share personal data under false pretenses. They’ll usually aim for your Social Security number, login credentials, device info, data that will allow them to access your bank accounts, and more. They can even ask you to grant them remote access to your device.

What are the most common Geek Squad scams?

Each Geek Squad scam message adopts a specific scenario. These can vary, but if you spot them in combination with the aforementioned red flags, they can help you spot an attack.

Here are the most common Geek Squad pitches:

• Your account has been infected: The false agent will send you a link where you can “fix the problem” or request access to your system to fix it themselves.
• Geek Squad auto-renewal scam: The criminal will send an invoice or an auto-renewal notice for the Geek Squad service you’re not subscribed to. They may prompt you to call a number, leading you to a fake Best Buy representative who tries to steal your information.
• Geek Squad tech support scams: Scammers frequently call claiming to work for Geek Squad tech support. Their pitch usually boils down to “your device is infected, and we can fix it” or “you owe money for tech support.”
• Password reset scams: Phishers will send you fake “your password reset didn’t work” emails. You can spot this phishing email scam by hovering over the link to see that it doesn’t lead to the official Best Buy domain.
• Fake antivirus plans: Fake Geek Squad technicians will try to sell you antivirus software. These tools will either do nothing or fill your device with malware. Scammers can then use it to take over your computer.

What are the consequences of Geek Squad scams?

Since Geek Squad scams are a form of phishing, they share potential repercussions. If you fall victim to these scams, you can expect the following consequences (sometimes more than one):

• Financial loss: If scammers get your bank information, they can drain your funds and run up your credit cards.
• Medical identity theft: Hackers can steal your medical info and use it to submit false claims to Medicare or other health providers.
• Account takeover: If you give out your private information, scammers can use it to log into your accounts. They’ll change the passwords the first chance they get and lock you out.
• Mortgage and deed fraud: Criminals can use your info to steal your home’s title. In other words, phishers can steal your home without you even knowing it.
• Tax identity theft: Scammers can use your Social Security number to demolish your standing with the IRS.
• Committing crimes using your identity: This is a severe event whereby scammers commit crimes in your name, leaving you with a criminal record.
• Your data on the dark web forever: Phishers can also sell your data on the dark web, and you may never know it. That means your information could be in unregulated marketplaces and chat rooms forever.

How to deal with Geek Squad scammers

Phishing messages aren’t harmful by themselves. You can ignore them and go on about your day. Yet, if you choose to interact with the attacker, things can become dangerous; you could quickly find yourself a victim of a Geek Squad scam.

If you think you got a phishing email, take the following steps:

• Do not respond: Scammers can’t trick you if you don’t interact with them. Ignore the message and never communicate with the sender.
• Do not click on links: This goes along with not responding. If you receive a suspicious link, do not click on it. You could download malware on your device.
• Don’t try to outsmart the scammer: Tricking people is a scammer’s full-time job, so the chances of outsmarting them are low.
• Delete the fraudulent message: You don’t want the scam message hanging around in your inbox.
• Block the attacker: If you receive an email, phone call, or text, block the sender. This may discourage the scammer from sending you more messages in the future.
• Report the scam messages: You can report these scam communications to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or to your email provider.

What to do if you suspect a Geek Squad scam

If you suspect a Geek Squad scam, the last thing you want to do is panic. There are options to remedy the situation, but acting fast is crucial.

Here are some recommendations:

• Turn off your internet connection: An internet connection binds you to the scammer and allows your private data to continue flowing. Turning it off restricts the hacker’s ability to stay connected to you.
• Run a malware scan: Install antivirus software and remove dangerous files and viruses from your computer.
• Uninstall unknown apps: Check for any applications you didn’t install or do not recognize. If any of them look suspicious, remove them from your device.
• Change your passwords immediately: Change all passwords to sensitive accounts, including online banking, email, and others.
• Enable 2FA: Two-factor authentication helps you avoid a phishing scam by adding another step when logging into an account. A scammer won’t have access to the second method.
• Alert your credit card provider(s): Your bank and credit card providers need to know so they can cancel your cards and provide you with new ones.
• Inspect your credit card statements: You want to review your statements carefully and check that nothing has gone through without your knowledge.
• Report the incident to the authorities: You should report a Geek Squad scam to the FTC.

We also recommend protecting your identity with a good third-party tool. These services may monitor your credit and private data, assist with recovery efforts, and give you a plan to report the issue.

What are the best identity theft protection services?

If you’re looking for the best product to keep your data secure, we can recommend some top-level services:

• Aura provides excellent identity theft protection and includes a secure VPN and password manager.

  Get Aura | Read Aura Review

• Norton LifeLock provides affordable identity theft protection with up to $3 million in identity theft insurance. It also has highly rated mobile apps.

  Get Norton LifeLock | Read Norton LifeLock Review

• Identity Guard is easy to use, comes with a password manager, and includes a monthly credit score.

  Get Identity Guard | Read Identity Guard Review

Geek Squad scam FAQ

Bottom line

Geek Squad scams can be frustrating and extremely dangerous. They can ruin you financially, affect your mental and physical well-being, and even leave you homeless. Learning to recognize them is the first step toward stopping criminals and staying safe. We also recommend complementing cybersecurity hygiene with the best identity protection programs. Staying vigilant and applying this knowledge and tools will keep Geek Squad scammers away from your devices and personal information.