The Truth About Geek Squad Scams

Geek Squad scams have been around for a while now, and unfortunately, they don't seem to be going away. Many people have lost money as a result of these scams and it's important that you know how to protect yourself. 

If you've been following the news lately, you may have heard about the Geek Squad scam that has been going around. In early 2022, a man in Westfield, NJ was scammed out of $407,000 by a criminal who posed as a Geek Squad employee. 

In this blog post, we will discuss the different Geek Squad scams that are out there, and we will provide tips on how to avoid them. We hope that this information will help keep you safe and protect your hard-earned money!

How Geek Squad Scams Work

While browsing the internet, you might randomly come across a pop-up warning you that your device is infected and that you need to call a number to solve the problem. On the other of the line will be a scammer posing as Geek Squad or Best Buy Tech Support. They will tell you that they need to remotely access your computer in order to fix a problem, and then ask for your credit card information.

Once they have access to your device and your financial information, they can steal your data and quickly run up huge card bills without your knowledge. Some may install spyware programs that they use to steal your bank and credit card credentials.

Other victims have reported receiving emails or text messages claiming they are being charged hundreds of dollars to renew their Geek Squad subscription. The messages claim that if you have not authorized the charge, you need to call them within 24 hours. Of course, this is just a trick to get you worried about nothing. If you do reach out, they will ask for your credit card information, which they will use to steal money from you.

Other Geek Squad Scams

There are other Geek Squad scams out there as well. For example, some criminals will offer you a supposed "free" computer diagnostic or repair service, but once they have access to your system, they can install malicious software that could put your data at risk.

There are others who will email you, impersonating Best Buy tech support, which is what happened to the man from Westfield. This is followed by what looks like a legitimate invoice, asking you to pay for parts that were supposedly ordered from Geek Squad. 

We have also seen others who will fake invoices from Best Buy and claim they have refunded you more than the actual amount. They then proceed to act panicked and request you to send the excess amount. In reality, you will be sending your own money as you did not receive anything from them.

This, and many more tricks are all plots to dupe you into believing there is something wrong with your Geek Squad subscription.

Does Geek Squad Have a Subscription?

The simple answer is yes! Geek Squad does have a subscription service, but it is important to note that this is not the same as being scammed. Geek Squad subscriptions are legitimate services that you can use to get help with your computer and related issues.

Geek Squad is run by Best Buy and has subscriptions running from$19.99 to $1,450.99, depending on the plan you choose and the services you get.

Sometimes, scammers use this as a means of duping unsuspecting customers. They will offer victims a “free” or discounted Geek Squad service and then scam them out of their money.

Others will claim that there is something wrong with your subscription and will ask for your credit card information to “verify” it.

How to Protect Yourself from Geek Squad Scams

The best way to protect yourself from Geek Squad scams is to be aware of them and know the signs of a potential scam. If someone calls you claiming to be from Geek Squad, get as much information as you can, including name and contact information. Never give out your credit card information to anyone over the phone unless you trust them completely.

If someone emails you about an invoice for a Geek Squad service, make sure that the email address is legitimate and not from a free webmail provider such as Gmail or Yahoo. Also, check to make sure that the domain name in the email address matches Geek Squad’s official website.

Finally, always be cautious when dealing with online services and scammers. Don't click on any links or open any attachments from email IDs that you don't recognize. These can contain malicious software that could put your device at risk.

Image source: Unsplash.com

How do I Get Rid of Geek Squad emails?

If you don't want to receive any more emails from Best Buy, you can unsubscribe from their lists by following the instructions in the email. Alternatively, you can also contact Geek Squad customer service and ask them to stop sending you emails.

This way, you can be sure that any Best Buy or Geek Squad emails you receive are likely to be scams.

You can also use an anti-spam tool or software program to help block any suspicious emails that may be coming your way.

What Happens if you Accidentally Open a Spam Email?

Since scammers are finding new ways to get into your inbox, it's important to be aware of the potential risks that come with opening an email from someone you don't know. If you accidentally open a spam email, do not panic. It's almost harmless to open a spam email, as long as you don't click on any of the links or download any attachments.

However, if you do click on a link or download an attachment, it is possible for malicious software or malware to be installed on your computer, which could put your personal information at risk.

If this happens, it is important to take action immediately. Disconnect your computer from the internet, run a virus scan on it and then contact Geek Squad to report the scam.

The faster you are able to recognize a Geek Squad Scam, the better and safer it will be for you. Be sure to treat anyone who asks for your credit card information with caution. 

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