A new email scam has emerged that attempts to trick recipients into believing their Webroot security software or Geek Squad membership subscription requires renewal. The fraudulent email includes phone numbers that route to call centers operated by scammers posing as Webroot or Geek Squad support agents. If you receive this scam email, do not call the number provided. Read on to learn more about how this scam works and what steps to take if you were deceived.
Overview of the Webroot and Geek Squad Subscription Scam
This intricate scam starts with an email pretending to come from Webroot or Geek Squad notifying you that your subscription requires renewal. The email appears legitimate and convincing with corporate branding, a renewal date, order and invoice numbers, subscription details, and a call to action to avoid service disruption.
However, it is a complete scam orchestrated to steal your money and personal information. The scammers behind it purchased lists of names and email addresses, created mock Webroot and Geek Squad emails, and set up fraudulent call centers. When victims call the phone number provided, scammers posing as support agents pressure them to provide credit card and banking details to renew their non-existent subscription.
This seamless process tricks many recipients into believing the renewal notice is authentic. Losses per victim range from $100 to $500 as scammers gain remote access to computers and compromise finances. If you receive this scam email, recognize it for the fraud it is. Call centers operated by actual Webroot or Geek Squad do not initiate unsolicited renewal calls in this manner.
Anatomy of the Webroot and Geek Squad Subscription Scam
The Webroot and Geek Squad subscription scam is intricately designed to dupe recipients through official branding, personalization, urgency, and social engineering over the phone. Here is how the main components of this scam work:
1. The Fake Renewal Notice Email
The scam email is made to look like an official notice from Webroot or Geek Squad requesting subscription renewal. It includes:
- Company logos, colors, and fonts used by the legitimate brands
- A renewal date, order ID, invoice number, and other identifiers that appear real
- Details like your membership type, tenure, and amount due
- An urgent call to action to renew by a certain date
The sophisticated design tricks recipients into thinking the email originates from the real Webroot or Geek Squad. But a closer look reveals subtle inconsistencies and grammatical errors uncharacteristic of legitimate companies.
2. The Deceptive Call to Action
The email urges you to call a phone number before the renewal date to avoid automatic billing or service interruption. This creates urgency to contact them immediately, playing on fear of losing security services. The phone numbers provided route to fraudulent call centers rather than the real Webroot or Geek Squad support.
3. Social Engineering Over the Phone
When victims call the number, professional-sounding scammers pose as support agents. They confirm account details to appear legitimate, then request remote access to your computer and pressure you to provide credit card information for immediate renewal. Once banking details are secured, they can drain your accounts or sell your information on the dark web.
4. Covering Their Tracks
Sophisticated scammers use VOIP technology to spoof real Webroot and Geek Squad phone numbers. They register domains similar to the brands to get past spam filters. And fraudulent call centers are set up abroad, out of reach of U.S. authorities. This makes the scam hard to trace.
What to Do if You Get the Webroot/Geek Squad Scam Email
If this scam email lands in your inbox, take the following steps:
- Do not call the phone number provided under any circumstances. Real Webroot or Geek Squad will not renew your subscription this way.
- Carefully scrutinize the email sender address. Scammers often use slight misspellings or different domains.
- Watch for grammatical errors and formatting inconsistencies uncharacteristic of the real brands.
- Hover over any links to preview the URLs. Fraudulent links may route to phishing sites.
- Check your Webroot or Geek Squad account online. If you don’t have one, it’s definitely a scam.
- Forward the email to spam@uce.gov and report it to Webroot or Geek Squad if applicable.
- Delete the scam email immediately so you are not tempted to call the number.
Remember, any unsolicited call or email requesting you to renew your subscription or provide personal information is almost certainly a scam attempt. Contact Webroot or Geek Squad through official channels if you have any doubts about the validity of a notice.
What to Do if You Already Fell for This Scam
If you called the phone number and provided any personal banking or account details, take the following steps immediately:
- Contact your credit card company or bank to report fraudulent charges or debits. Have payments reversed and get new card and account numbers reissued.
- Call your local police department’s non-emergency number to file an identity theft and fraud report. Obtain a copy of the report for your records.
- Check your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com and dispute any unauthorized accounts opened in your name with the three credit bureaus. Consider freezing your credit.
- Change the passwords on all of your financial, email, social media and other online accounts. Make them long and complex.
- Scan all your devices with a legitimate antivirus program to remove any malware or spyware the scammers may have installed.
- Notify the IRS in case the scammers try filing a fraudulent tax return in your name. The IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit can be reached at 800-908-4490.
- Contact the FTC on their website or at 877-FTC-HELP to report the scam. Your information helps authorities piece together cases.
- Talk to your employer if any work-related accounts were compromised by the scammers.
Take swift action if you shared any sensitive data and monitor your accounts closely for fraudulent activity. Alerting companies, agencies and authorities can prevent further damage. Unfortunately reverse payments or recovering losses from foreign scammers is very difficult.
How to Avoid Falling for the Webroot and Geek Squad Scam
Being vigilant and questioning any suspicious emails or calls claiming to be from known companies is key to avoid being scammed. Here are some tips:
- Never call phone numbers provided in unsolicited emails. Independently look up company contact info from their official website if you want to call.
- Carefully inspect renewal emails for odd grammar, branding inconsistencies and urgent calls to action.
- Do not trust caller ID. Scammers use technology to spoof legitimate business numbers.
- Never provide any sensitive personal or financial information over the phone to incoming callers.
- Ask specific verification questions only the real provider would know. Scammers typically cannot confirm detailed account information.
- Request callbacks from verified numbers and speak to supervisors to confirm identities before sharing any data.
- Use online account dashboards to directly check membership status. Renew through official company websites.
- Keep software updated to detect spoofed emails. Enable two-factor authentication where possible.
- Sign up for account monitoring services to detect any unauthorized changes.
Staying vigilant against increasingly sophisticated scams is essential today. Share scam awareness tips with family and friends to prevent them from being victimized.
FAQ About the Webroot and Geek Squad Renewal Scam Email
Q: What is the Webroot and Geek Squad renewal scam email?
A: This is a fraudulent email sent out to trick people into believing their Webroot or Geek Squad subscription requires renewal. It contains logos, fake account details, and a phone number leading to a scam call center.
Q: How does the Webroot/Geek Squad renewal scam work?
A: The scam email urges you to call before your renewal date. When victims call, scammers posing as support agents obtain banking details to steal money or commit identity theft.
Q: What are some red flags of the Webroot/Geek Squad scam email?
A: Red flags include slight branding inconsistencies, grammatical errors, urgent calls to action, and suspicious sender addresses or links. Real companies do not renew subscriptions via unsolicited emails.
Q: What should I do if I receive the scam email?
A: Do not call the number provided. Delete the email immediately. Check your account status directly through the real company’s website.
Q: What happens if I already called the number and gave personal information?
A: Immediately contact your bank, report identity theft, monitor your credit reports, change account passwords, and alert affected companies.
Q: How can I avoid becoming a victim of the scam?
A: Never call numbers in suspicious emails. Verify renewal notices directly with the company first. Don’t provide info to unsolicited callers.
Q: How can I report the Webroot/Geek Squad scam email?
A: Forward scam emails to spam@uce.gov. Report to the FTC and IRS if your identity is compromised. Notify the real companies as well.
Q: How can I renew my Webroot or Geek Squad subscription safely?
A: Log into your account on the company’s official website to review renewal options and complete the process securely.
The Bottom Line
This Webroot and Geek Squad subscription renewal scam is a dangerous fraud orchestrated to steal personal information and money through social engineering over the phone. If you receive this scam email, recognize it for the fraud it is and take measures to avoid becoming a victim. Contact customer service through official company channels with any concerns about your account status. Being aware of the deceptive tactics used in this scam can help you stay several steps ahead of scammers and alert others on how to recognize and avoid it.
