A new email scam is targeting Geek Squad customers claiming their Tech Support Membership requires renewal. The email states the recipient’s auto-renewal is pending and provides a suspicious phone number to call. However, Geek Squad does not offer any Tech Support Membership or subscription services. The email and number are fraudulent, intending to steal personal and financial information. This article will provide an in-depth overview of the scam, how it works, what to do if you are victimized, and how to protect yourself going forward.
Scam Overview
This scam begins with an email claiming the recipient has a Geek Squad Tech Support Membership requiring auto-renewal. The email appears credible with Geek Squad branding and logos. It states the membership will renew automatically but provides a phone number to call with any questions.
However, Geek Squad does not offer any tech support membership or subscription services. The email is a complete fabrication by scammers utilizing the Geek Squad brand. The phone number also does not belong to Geek Squad. It leads to a call center where scammers pose as Geek Squad agents.
If recipients call the number, the scammers pretend to help renew their non-existent membership. They apologize for the confusing email and request personal information to lookup the account. The scammers then say they have located the membership and must renew it immediately to avoid an interruption in service.
They will ask for updated payment information, claiming the card on file has expired. The scammers use urgency andthreats to disable services to trick victims into providing real credit card details. The scammers then quickly use the stolen card to make fraudulent purchases, draining the victim’s account.
This highly deceptive scam shows why scrutiny is required when receiving unsolicited communications about account renewals. Geek Squad never contacts customers about memberships or subscriptions needing renewal, especially via suspicious emails and phone numbers. Engaging with these scams can lead to stolen financial data, identity theft, and significant account fraud.
How the Geek Squad Tech Support Membership Scam Works
Receiving the Fraudulent Email
The scam begins when targets receive an email with the subject line “Exciting News: Your Order is Confirmed and On Its Way!” or similar urgent messaging. The email is made to look official with Geek Squad logos and branding.
It is addressed directly to the recipient by name, claiming “Your Geek Squad Tech Support Membership will be renewed today.” This gives the illusion the person has an existing membership.
The email states the membership is set to auto-renew but provides a phone number to call with any questions. A scammer posing as a Geek Squad account manager supposedly wants to “reach out” and remind the recipient of the pending auto-renewal.
Of course, the reality is the person never had any Geek Squad membership. The email is 100% fake and sent by scammers hoping the recipient believes they are a Geek Squad customer.
Calling the Fraudulent Number
If the recipient calls the number provided, the phone is answered by a scammer pretending to be a Geek Squad support agent. They immediately apologize for any confusion caused by the renewal email.
The scammer pulls up the victim’s “account” and pretends to see a Tech Support Membership that is pending auto-renewal. They request the membership ID or order number from the email so they can lookup the account. This makes the scam seem legitimate, even if the victim cannot provide these made-up details.
Once “logged in”, the scammer says they see the auto-renewal is scheduled for today but cannot process it because the card on file is expired. The scammer explains they need to collect updated payment info or the membership will be interrupted.
Providing Payment Information
The scammer emphasizes that any lapse in membership will disable services and support access. They push the victim to promptly provide a new credit card number so they can renew the account.
Unfortunately, some victims are tricked by the urgency into giving their real credit card information. After obtaining this data, the scammers immediately use it to make as many fraudulent purchases and cash withdrawals as possible.
Within minutes of providing payment info, the victim’s credit card company may begin reporting fraudulent charges. But by then, the scammers have already drained substantial funds from the account. They will max out the credit limit if they can.
Aftermath of Providing Credit Card Details
In addition to fraudulent charges, victims of this scam now face the risks of wider identity theft and account compromise. Their credit card number is compromised and in the hands of criminals.
The scammers may sell or trade the credit card data on the dark web to be used by other bad actors. Or they may seek more information like bank accounts, usernames, passwords, and social security numbers for full identity theft.
Providing any information to these scammers puts the victim’s finances and identity at high risk for ongoing fraud and abuse. Urgent action is required to halt the damage and prevent further harm.
What To Do If You Have Fallen Victim to This Scam
If you fear you have fallen prey to the fake Geek Squad Tech Support Membership renewal scam, following these steps immediately can help reduce damages:
Step 1: Contact Card Companies and Banks
- Call your credit card provider and report fraudulent charges. Request a new card number be issued to prevent additional charges.
- Ask the card company to reverse any recent unauthorized transactions related to this scam.
- Contact your bank about any linked accounts that may be compromised. Place holds on accounts if suspicious activity is found.
Step 2: Change Passwords and Enable Extra Security
- Change the passwords on all your online accounts if there is any chance you shared one with the scammers. Make them long and complex.
- Turn on two-factor authentication wherever possible for banking, email, social media, and other accounts.
- Call providers like your phone company to ask about adding verbal passcodes before account changes can occur.
Step 3: Run Credit Reports and Set Fraud Alerts
- Obtain copies of your credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to identify any signs of identity theft.
- Consider placing 90-day fraud alerts on your credit files to be notified of suspicious new activity.
- For extreme cases, explore applying for a long-term credit freeze to lock down your credit reports until ID theft issues are resolved.
Step 4: File Reports About the Scam
- Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-FTC-HELP. Provide information like the fraudulent phone number.
- File complaints with your state attorney general’s office and local law enforcement. Give them details about when and how you were targeted.
- Report the scam email to the FTC at spam@uce.gov and to Geek Squad so they are aware of the brand spoofing.
Step 5: Monitor Accounts Closely
- Carefully review statements on all financial accounts for signs of further misuse in the coming weeks. Scammers could sell your data on the dark web for ongoing fraud.
- Consider enrolling in transaction monitoring services through your bank that can alert you to suspicious activity on your accounts via text or email alerts.
- Avoid transactions online or over the phone unless you initiate the contact and are certain of the business’s identity.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Geek Squad Tech Support Membership Scam
What is the Geek Squad Tech Support Membership scam?
This is a scam where victims receive a fraudulent email claiming they must renew a non-existent Geek Squad Tech Support Membership. The email provides a phone number which leads to scammers impersonating Geek Squad agents to steal financial information.
Does Geek Squad offer a Tech Support Membership?
No. Geek Squad does not offer any membership or subscription services. Any communication referencing a renewal of a Geek Squad membership or tech support subscription is a scam.
How do the scammers profit from this scam?
The scammers make money by using stolen credit cards and personal information to make fraudulent purchases and steal identities. Victims who provide their credit card number to “renew” the fake membership have their cards drained quickly by the scammers.
What are some red flags of this scam email?
Red flags include an urgent demand for renewal, threats of service interruption, an unverified email address, suspicious phone number, spelling/grammar errors, impersonal greeting, and a lack of account specifics like an order number.
What should I do if I gave my information to the scammers?
Immediately contact your credit card company to report fraudulent charges, cancel your card and dispute transactions. Monitor your accounts closely for additional signs of misuse of your personal information. Place fraud alerts on your credit reports.
How can I avoid scams like this in the future?
Be wary of unsolicited renewal emails, scrutinize the sender address and contact info, avoid calls demanding immediate payment, and never provide personal/financial information in response to an unexpected email or call.
Who can I report this scam to?
File a complaint with the FTC, FBI, your state attorney general, and your credit card provider. Contact Geek Squad to make them aware of the brand impersonation.
How can I recover lost money from this scam?
If you paid by credit card, report fraudulent charges to get them reversed. If you paid another way, contact your bank and law enforcement to potentially dispute the transactions. Consider legal counsel about restitution.
Conclusion
The Geek Squad Tech Support Membership scam is a highly deceptive attempt to steal personal and financial information by posing as a subscription renewal. If you receive this fraudulent email, do not call the number or provide any information to the scammers. No such Geek Squad membership program exists. To avoid falling victim, be wary of all unsolicited calls and emails related to renewals. Scrutinize the contact information closely rather than assuming familiar brand names are legit. Proactively monitoring accounts and enabling added security measures can also prevent these scams from succeeding. Staying vigilant against the growing prevalence of phone and email subscription scams is crucial to protect your money and identity.
