Have you gotten a dubious email purporting to be from Geek Squad, alerting you about a costly subscription renewal?

It’s a con.

These emails are not sent by Geek Squad, the genuine tech support provider owned by Best Buy. Fraudsters utilize the Geek Squad name to mislead recipients into believing they’re on the verge of being charged large sums of money. But here’s the reality: they can’t actually charge you—unless you succumb to the bait and provide them with your personal or financial details.

So let’s clarify right from the beginning: Do not reply to these emails. Don’t click any links. Don’t call any numbers. Just disregard them.

What Is the Geek Squad Scam?

This scheme is part of a wider pattern of fraudulent subscription and billing scams. Similar to the E-Z Pass toll fraud, which falsely states you owe a toll fee, the Geek Squad scam delivers a fake invoice for a service you never agreed to.

The fraud usually consists of an email that resembles a bill for a Geek Squad subscription renewal. It may reference vague services like “network protection” or “computer shield,” and the cost is typically exorbitantly high—often between $300 and $500. This is deliberate. The aim is to intimidate you into reaching out to the scammer to contest the charge.

That’s when the real threat begins.

Once you call the number or click the link provided, the scammer may impersonate a Geek Squad agent. They’ll attempt to gain sensitive information like your credit card details, Social Security number, or even persuade you to install remote access software, giving them control of your computer.

This scam has been in circulation for years, and reports have seen a rise lately, particularly in regions like New York and Wisconsin. The ongoing nature of this scam indicates it has been successful for cybercriminals, which is all the more reason to remain alert.

How to Safeguard Yourself

The positive news? This con is simple to avoid—if you’re aware of what to watch for.

– Do not respond to dubious emails pretending to be from Geek Squad.
– Do not click on any links or dial any phone numbers included in the message.
– If you’re a Geek Squad customer wanting to check your subscription status, head straight to the official Geek Squad page on Best Buy’s website: BestBuy.com.

If you ever receive an unexpected bill or message that creates a sense of urgency, take a moment to pause. Scammers depend on panic to prompt you to react without thinking. Legitimate companies won’t pressure you into swift actions or request sensitive information via email.

In summary: If you receive an alarming email from Geek Squad, it’s nearly always a hoax. Delete it and proceed.