Geek Squad Email Scam: How to Spot It and What to Do
In 2025, the Geek Squad scam is still around and it’s more convincing than ever. The official-looking messages, familiar branding, and just enough personal detail can even fool the careful.
To be clear: Geek Squad is Best Buy’s legitimate tech support service, but scammers exploit its good reputation to deceive their victims.
In this guide, we break down how this major scam works today and how to recognize it. We’ll also discuss what to do if you actually fall for it (it can happen to anyone).
Security Tip: Email scams are constantly evolving and so are cyberthreats like malware and spyware. Make sure you protect your privacy by staying up to date on current cyberthreats.
What Is The Geek Squad Scam Email?
A Geek Squad scam email is a type of phishing attack where cybercriminals impersonate Best Buy’s very real tech support team, Geek Squad, to trick you into handing over personal and financial information.
There are a few different types of Geek Squad scam emails going around, but they typically begin with an email that appears to come from Geek Squad or Best Buy.
The message is written in a way that gets your attention, like referencing a recent charge that doesn’t exist or claiming there’s a problem with your account.
The goal is to get you to respond quickly, before you have time to think. They may try to get you to click a link, call a fake customer service number, or reply with sensitive information. In some cases, they even try to convince you to grant them remote access, so they can then steal the information they need themselves or plant malicious software onto your device.
Regardless of how they lure you in, the outcome is often the same: you’re misled into taking action that puts your data, money, or security at risk.
Types of Geek Squad Scam Emails
Geek Squad scam emails are often disguised as fake tech support help, renewal notices, or refund messages. These tactics are designed to pressure you into handing over personal details, downloading harmful software, or sharing payment information.
Below are some of the most frequent Geek Squad scam variations you should be aware of:
Subscription Renewal Scam
This version of the Geek Squad email scam tries to convince you that your Best Buy subscription or Geek Squad membership is about to auto-renew for a very high price tag.
You may not even have a subscription. Still, scammers are hoping that you’ll think you’ve accidentally signed up for one or just forgot about it.
The email usually includes a link to cancel the charge or a phone number to call. Clicking the link takes you to a fake Best Buy website designed to steal your information. Calling the number connects you to a scammer posing as support.
Key identifiers of the subscription renewal scam include:
- Unexpected email claiming your Geek Squad plan has been renewed or auto-charged
- Subject lines like “Your Geek Squad membership has been renewed” or “Invoice attached — $349.99 charged”
- Urgent language like “Call within 24 hours to avoid charges”
Fake Invoice Scam
These emails claim you’ve been charged for a service you never signed up for and includes a detailed (but fake) invoice. They often urge you to call a number to dispute the charge.
Just like the renewal scam, the goal is to get you on the phone so the scammer can request personal info, payment details, or remote access to your device.
Key identifiers of the subscription renewal scam include:
- Email with an attached “invoice” or “receipt” for services you never purchased
- High dollar amounts ($300–$500) meant to alarm you
- Pressure to act quickly to stop or reverse a charge
Antivirus Software Scam
This version tells you you’ve been billed for antivirus software through Geek Squad. It usually comes with a fake invoice number, a high payment amount, and a support number to call.
If you call, the scammer might say they need remote access to uninstall the software or request payment info to “cancel” or “fix” the charge.
Key identifiers of the subscription renewal scam include:
- Email claiming your Geek Squad antivirus subscription is expiring or has been auto-renewed
- Large, unexpected charge amounts (often $200–$500) listed in the message
- Requests for remote computer access or payment details
Password Reset Scam
These emails claim that your Geek Squad or Best Buy account password has been reset or compromised. It includes a phone number for support, or a link to “secure your account”, which leads to a phishing site that looks legitimate but captures your login credentials.
Calling the number has the same goal: convincing you to give up access to your account or device.
Key identifiers of the subscription renewal scam include:
- Unexpected email claiming your Geek Squad or Best Buy account password was changed or needs resetting
- “Reset your password now” links that don’t point to an official bestbuy.com domain
- Urgent wording like “Your account will be locked” or “Immediate action required”
How To Spot a Geek Squad Email Scam
Geek Squad scam emails often look convincing at first glance, but there are common warning signs you can watch for.
If you get an email that doesn’t feel quite right, here’s what to look at:
- Check the sender and subject line: A real Geek Squad message will come from an official Best Buy domain. If the sender address looks strange or unofficial, that’s a red flag. The same goes for subject lines that sound overly urgent or alarming: scammers use urgency to get you to act without thinking.
- Read the message itself: Watch out for wording that tries to scare you, such as threats of canceled services or unauthorized charges. Another telltale sign is a demand for immediate payment or instructions to call a “support” number right away.
- Examine links and attachments: Hover your mouse over any link before clicking. If it doesn’t lead to the official BestBuy.com website, don’t trust it. Be especially cautious of attached PDFs or other files claiming to show “charges” or “invoices,” since these can contain malware.
You can reference the table below for a closer look at some common warning signs and scam tactics:
Common Geek Squad Email Scam Tactics
| Tactic | Description | Example |
| Strange or unofficial email address | The sender address may look official but will contain an unrelated domain, or extra words or characters. | [email protected] |
| Generic greeting | Messages often use vague or generic greetings instead of your real name. | “Dear customer” “Your subscription has been renewed” |
| Fear-based messaging | The attacker will use fear or panic to pressure you into acting quickly without thinking clearly. | “Immediate action required” |
| Urgent instructions | The email urges you to click a link or call a phone number immediately. | “Your account will be suspended” |
| Demand for payment | They will demand some kind of payment to prevent your subscription from lapsing. | “Pay now to avoid cancellation.” |
| Suspicious links or files | The email may include links to fake company pages or PDFs with malware. | “Access your account by clicking the link” |
How to Avoid a Geek Squad Email Scam
Even if nothing seems suspicious, following these tips can help you stay safe and avoid falling for a scam:
- Don’t call numbers listed in suspicious emails: Use contact info from the official Best Buy website or report the message to the FTC or APWG.
- Avoid clicking links or opening attachments: Only interact if you’re positive the email is legitimate, otherwise you could be downloading malware.
- Never share personal or financial information: Anyone who contacts you unexpectedly might be a scammer fishing for sensitive details.
- Install reputable antivirus: It helps detect and block threats before they can mess with your system.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Adding a second step to log in makes it much harder for attackers to get into your email or bank accounts.
- Keep your device and software up to date: Patches close security holes that hackers can exploit.
Remember that Best Buy and Geek Squad don’t send unexpected invoices or demand urgent calls. If something feels off, trust your instincts and investigate further.
How to Report a Geek Squad Scam Email
If you receive a suspicious email and you’ve determined that it’s a scam, you should report it to protect yourself and others. Here’s how to do it:
- Forward the email to BestBuy’s official email abuse department or call an official number listed on the Best Buy website.
- Report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- Report it to your email provider using the “Report phishing” or “Mark as spam” option in your email client.
- File a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
After you report the email, make sure to delete it permanently from your inbox and trash.
What to Do If You Fall for a Geek Squad Email Scam
Don’t worry if you accidentally opened a Geek Squad scam email. In most cases, opening the email by itself is not dangerous if you don’t click any links or download any files. But If you do fall victim to an email scam, you need to act as quickly as possible.
- Don’t reply to any more emails: If you are on the phone, hang up immediately.
- Freeze any bank accounts or payment sources: These may have been compromised.
- Contact your bank or credit card company immediately: Report any unauthorized charges. If you already sent money, notify the provider and try to reverse the transaction.
- Change all your logins and passwords for any accounts you may have exposed: That includes protecting your email account.
- Run a full virus scan and remove any suspicious programs: Consider restoring your hard drive to factory settings.
- Regularly check your bank accounts: Look for signs of unauthorized account use, including credit reports, social media accounts, and email activity.
FAQ
The Geek Squad scam email is a phishing scam where cybercriminals pose as Best Buy’s Geek Squad to steal your personal or financial information. These emails usually include fake invoices, urgent language, and a phone number to call. You can spot the scam by checking for generic greetings, suspicious sender addresses, and pressure to act quickly.
To protect yourself from phishing and scam emails, avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments. Always verify the sender’s email address and be cautious of urgent or threatening language. Follow online security best practices, limit the amount of you share online, and stay up to date on the latest scams and cyberthreats.
If you clicked a link or opened an attachment from a suspicious Geek Squad email, immediately disconnect your device from the internet to prevent further compromise. Run a full antivirus or anti-malware scan to detect and remove any malicious software. Then, change passwords for any affected accounts and contact your bank if you’ve shared financial information.
No, Geek Squad scams are not limited to email. Scammers may also use text messages, phone calls, or fake pop-up alerts to impersonate Geek Squad and trick victims. Always verify any suspicious communication through official Best Buy channels before taking action.