Geek Squad Scams: How to Protect Yourself

Michelle Wilson - March 15, 2023

The first thing people think of when they hear the word “scam” is computer-related schemes that try to steal personal information. There was once a time when phone scams were the prevalent type, but in a more digital age, scammers have migrated to the Internet to carry out their fraudulent activities. What’s more, they are taking advantage of people’s trust in brand names they are either familiar with or have an account for. Additionally, these scams have branched out from “Give us your credit card information to receive a refund” to include “We will help you resolve your computer problems if you give us access to your computer.”

Scammers will either exploit the needs of those seeking technical help or pretend to be working for recognizable companies to extract vital information, be it personal, financial, or computer access. With Geek Squad scams, criminals usually impersonate Best Buy’s tech support team and offer “help.” However, their main objective is to steal important information from their targets, as well as acquire remote device access and/or get them to pay for phony services. When it comes to Geek Squad scams, there are seven to watch out for.

Auto-Renewal

This is one of the more recent Geek Squad scams. It involves sending someone an email or text message that claims the person has been signed up for a subscription service. The scammers will convince their target that they owe a ton of money but can call the provided number to cancel, where they will be asked to disclose their financial information.

There are some signs one can look out for to protect themselves from an auto-renewal scam. First and foremost, the auto-renewal message is often unexpected or unsolicited, plus the person may not even be enlisted to the subscription service. Furthermore, the email address lacks the official Geek Squad logo, and it – along with the message itself – has grammatical errors. Finally, the provided phone number is not the number for Best Buy.

Password Reset

This scam pertains to fraudsters sending fake Best Buy emails that claim their target’s password reset is not working. The design of the email makes it look legitimate, and there will be a link provided to seemingly update the person’s account, regardless of if they have one or not. Clicking on this link will direct them to a site that resembles the login page on BestBuy.com. In actuality, it is a phishing site that takes the visitors’ personal information. Entering valid BestBuy.com account names and passwords will give scammers the information they need to steal financial details, make fraudulent purchases, or buy untraceable gift cards.

The obvious hint that this is a scam would be if the person receiving the reset link doesn’t even have a Best Buy account. Another is that if they do click the link, the site they see is not secure and is not associated with the BestBuy.com domain.

Phishing Email

Scammers will contact their target posing as a Geek Squad technician and notifying them of a malware infection on their computer. If the person responds to the email or calls the number that the message provides, the fraudster will pressure them into downloading antivirus software and will claim to solve the virus issue so long as they are granted remote access to the person’s computer.

For a scam like this, it is imperative they do not get access to the person’s computer. If they do, there is a high possibility that they will download malware to spy on the computer. In addition, they will have access to anything stored on the computer, including photos and videos, social security numbers, personal online data, and banking information.

Tech Support

Generally speaking, this type of Geek Squad scam is done through phone calls. If someone answers these calls, the scammers will try to persuade them to send money. They will either claim that the person owes money for services or that their device is already infected and the person needs them to resolve the issue. However, in an ironic twist, all they will receive to remove any potential viruses is malware.

There are some warning signs to keep in mind. First of all, the call is unsolicited because it is rare that these companies will contact consumers directly by phone. Second, the provided website has grammatical errors and is dubious in a visual sense. Lastly, the “technician” displays pushy behavior and will not let the person leave or hang up the phone.

Protection Plan

While this particular Geek Squad scam is not the most dangerous one of the bunch, the outcome of falling victim to it can still be upsetting. This scheme entails scammers pretending to be technicians and contacting their targets by phone or email. They will try to sell the unsuspecting recipient protection services, but what they give them will either do nothing or infect their device with viruses.

Some red flags pertaining to the protection plan scam include the fact that the call or email is unsolicited, and there are no online reviews about the tool or software the scammers are trying to sell. Moreover, the person on the other end is demanding remote access to the recipient’s computer.

Deceptive Browser Pop-Ups

Scammers will sometimes use pop-ups on sketchy websites to notify the user that their device has viruses. They will get a pop-up covering the screen saying that their device is infected and requires immediate action to fix it. Clicking on the pop-up will automatically download a supposed antivirus software or a “device cleaner” to the user’s device, but it’s actually malware or adware.

There are warning signs to watch for regarding this type of scam. For one thing, any pop-up that claims to detect a virus is a scam because is impossible for a plugin to scan a device for viruses. Additionally, any claim that involves cleaning a device is undeniably a scam. Also, if the pop-up came from an adult site, do not click on it.

Overpayment Compensation

Also known as the “accidental refund scam,” this occurs when scammers send extra money to someone via stolen accounts or credit cards and request that the difference be refunded. When the original account owner reports the fraud, the target will not have the full amount, nor will they have the amount sent to the scammer. The abovementioned auto-renewal scam can often develop into this.

There are ways to tell if what is being presented is a scam. If the form they provide to fill out is not working, their promise of a refund is not genuine. Other red flags include being asked to give the person on the phone remote access to the computer and being sent a refund for more than what’s on the bill.

Conclusion

The best piece of advice when it comes to avoiding Geek Squad scams is to approach suspicious messages with caution. Don’t click any suspicious links, don’t give out personal information, and double-check the phone numbers.