Is this Geek Squad email a scam?

What it looks like

Other forms it takes

How the scam plays out

1. An email or text says your Geek Squad plan renewed for hundreds of dollars and you must call within 24 hours to cancel.
2. The person who answers offers a refund. To “process” it, they ask to connect to your computer.
3. Once connected, they can install spying software and steal your online banking passwords.
4. They ask for your bank details, or have you type them into a website that looks real.
5. Then they fake a mistake: they say they “refunded” you too much and you must pay it back.
6. They ask for gift cards, a wire transfer or a payment app, and want the card numbers and PINs read out.

Signs it’s a scam

• A big renewal amount for a plan you don’t remember buying.
• A phone number to call to cancel, and a short deadline.
• A sender address from Gmail, Outlook or a strange domain.
• Odd invoice numbers and spelling mistakes.

What to do

1. Don’t call the number. Delete the email.
2. If you want to be sure, check your Best Buy account by typing bestbuy.com yourself.
3. Check your bank statement: in most cases no money was taken.

How to check if it’s real

1. Don’t use the phone number or link in the message. Type BestBuy.com yourself and use the contact options listed there.
2. Before doing anything, look for the charge on your card and bank statements.
3. Best Buy says it generally doesn’t make unsolicited calls. Treat a surprise call “from Geek Squad” with suspicion.

Already clicked, paid or shared something?

1. Paid with gift cards? Call the gift card company right away, using the number on the back of the card. Say you were scammed and ask for a refund. Keep the card and receipt.
2. Found a charge you didn’t make? Report it to your bank or card company and ask them to reverse it.
3. Gave bank details, or logged in to your bank while they were connected? Call your bank now and change your online banking password.
4. Let them onto your computer? Update your security software, run a scan and delete what it flags. Change your passwords and turn on two-step login.
5. Sent a wire through Western Union or MoneyGram? Call the company right away, say you were tricked and ask for a refund.
6. Report it to the FTC, and tell Best Buy about the fake message at abuse@BestBuy.com.

Where to report it

• Report it to the FTC
• Report it to the FBI (IC3)
• Tell Best Buy (abuse@BestBuy.com)
• Gift card company phone numbers (FTC list)

Related scams

• Is this PayPal email a scam?
• Apple Pay scams: how to tell a fake Apple message
• Zelle scams: how they work and what to do
• Make a family safe word

Sources

• FTC: How to recognize a fake Geek Squad renewal scam
• Best Buy: Protect yourself against cybercrime and fraud scams
• FTC: How to spot, avoid and report tech support scams
• FTC: Avoiding and reporting gift card scams
• FTC: What to do if you were scammed