Geek Squad Membership Renewal Scam: How It Works!

A fraudulent email scam has emerged involving messages that impersonate Geek Squad and claim your membership is up for renewal. The email prompts victims to call a fake support number regarding billing updates. However, it is a scam intended to steal personal and financial information from anyone who calls. This article covers how to detect these fake Geek Squad membership renewal emails.

Geek Squad Membership Scam

Understanding the Geek Squad Membership Renewal Scam Email

This phishing scam starts with an unsolicited email sent to masses of potential victims. The message is made to appear as if it comes from Geek Squad, the technology support division of electronics retailer Best Buy.

The email has a subject line stating something like “Geek Squad Membership Renewal” or “Your Geek Squad Plan Requires Updates.”

The content claims that your Geek Squad membership is scheduled to renew shortly. It provides a fake invoice number and member ID to sound official. The message states that you will be charged a renewal fee, usually $200-$500 depending on the plan, unless you call to update your billing details.

A customer service number is listed urging you to call immediately regarding the pending membership renewal charge. However, Geek Squad does not contact customers in this manner about memberships renewing. The entire thing is fraudulent.

Here is an example of the deceptive fake Geek Squad membership renewal emails being sent to carry out this scam:

From: Billing@geeksquad.com
Subject: Your Geek Squad Membership Requires Update

Valued Geek Squad Member:

This notice is to inform you that your Geek Squad Tech Ultimate Protection membership is scheduled to renew on July 19, 2023.

The anticipated membership renewal charge of $439.99 will be automatically applied to the payment method currently on file, unless you contact us to update your billing details prior to the renewal date.

Member Details:

Member Name: Jane Smith
Membership ID: GSU0392KAS
Current Plan: Tech Ultimate Protection
Renewal Date:
Renewal Charge: $439.99

Please contact your dedicated Geek Squad Membership Coordinator at 888-555-1234 immediately if you need to update your payment information to avoid service interruption.

We greatly appreciate your membership. Please let us know if you have any other questions regarding your renewal.

Thank you,
Geek Squad Billing

If you call the number, scammers posing as Geek Squad agents answer. They proceed to request remote access to your computer and ask you to log into financial accounts to steal money or data.

Red Flags of the Geek Squad Membership Renewal Scam Email

Here are some indicators an email about a Geek Squad membership renewal is a phishing scam:

  • You did not initiate any Geek Squad membership renewal to trigger a billing notice. The email is unsolicited.
  • The send address uses an email domain that is slightly different than the official @geeksquad.com.
  • There are grammatical errors, inconsistent formatting, and other indicators of a scammer operating mass emails.
  • The urgent call to action creates pressure instead of advising you to log into your Best Buy account.
  • The provided customer service number rings to an unofficial overseas call center instead of Geek Squad support.
  • Details about membership costs or plans don’t match actual Geek Squad offerings.
  • The email asks you to confirm sensitive information over the phone that Geek Squad already has per policy.

What to Do if You Called the Scammers

If you unfortunately already called the number in one of the scam membership emails, quickly take these steps:

  • Notify your bank of suspected fraud if you provided any account access or information over the phone. Place holds as needed.
  • Change online account passwords that may have been compromised and enable two-factor authentication.
  • Run antivirus scans if you granted remote access to check for malware or spyware infections that could be used to monitor your activity or steal data.
  • Monitor your credit reports and cards closely for signs of identity theft from the exposed information.
  • File a complaint with the FTC regarding the Geek Squad impersonation scam call.

Reporting Geek Squad Scam Emails

Here are some ways to report fake Geek Squad membership renewal emails:

  • Forward the scam email to Geek Squad so they can escalate a phishing complaint and analyze the send details.
  • Notify the FTC with the email contents, sender address, and any other details which can aid investigations.
  • Submit the scam email to the IRS / Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
  • Leave online reviews warning others wherever the scam is being advertised to help prevent more victims.

How to Avoid Falling Victim to the Geek Squad Membership Renewal scam

Follow these tips to avoid the fake Geek Squad membership renewal email scam:

  • Disregard unexpected emails about renewals for services you don’t actively use. Verify directly with providers.
  • Check that email addresses match official domains precisely. Look for any subtle differences.
  • Do not call random numbers regarding account issues. Independently look up real customer service lines.
  • Never provide personal information over the phone to unsolicited callers claiming account issues.
  • Set up multifactor authentication on accounts whenever available to prevent unauthorized logins even if passwords are phished.

With proper skepticism of any urgent renewal notice emails, consumers can avoid being tricked into surrendering their personal data and money to scammers impersonating technical support services like Geek Squad.

Is Your Device Infected? Check for Malware

If your device is running slowly or acting suspicious, it may be infected with malware. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is a great option for scanning your device and detecting potential malware or viruses. The free version can efficiently check for and remove many common infections.  

Malwarebytes can run on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re trying to run a Malwarebytes scan, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps.

Malwarebytes For WindowsMalwarebytes For MacMalwarebytes For Android

Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Windows to remove malware

Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.

  1. Download Malwarebytes for Windows

    You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.

    MALWAREBYTES FOR WINDOWS DOWNLOAD LINK
    (The above link will open a new page from where you can download Malwarebytes)
  2.  

    Install Malwarebytes

    After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.

    MBAM1
  3. Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes

    When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.

    • You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.

      MBAM3 1
    • Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.

      MBAM4
    • When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.

      MBAM6 1
    • On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.

      MBAM5 1
  4. Enable “Rootkit scanning”.

    Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.

    MBAM8

    In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.

    MBAM9

    Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.

  5. Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.

    To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.

    MBAM10
  6. Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.

    Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.

    MBAM11
  7. Quarantine detected malware

    Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.

    MBAM12

    Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.

    MBAM13

  8. Restart your computer.

    When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.

    MBAM14

Your computer should now be free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.

If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future.
If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:

Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware

Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.

  1. Download Malwarebytes for Mac.

    You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.

    MALWAREBYTES FOR MAC DOWNLOAD LINK
    (The above link will open a new page from where you can download Malwarebytes for Mac)
  2. Double-click on the Malwarebytes setup file.

    When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.

    Double-click on setup file to install Malwarebytes

  3. Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.

    When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.

    Click Continue to install Malwarebytes for Mac

    Click again on Continue to install Malwarebytes for Mac for Mac

    Click Install to install Malwarebytes on Mac

    When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.

  4. Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.

    The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
    Select Personal Computer or Work Computer mac

  5. Click on “Scan”.

    To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
    Click on Scan button to start a system scan Mac

  6. Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.

    Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
    Wait for Malwarebytes for Mac to scan for malware

  7. Click on “Quarantine”.

    When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
    Review the malicious programs and click on Quarantine to remove malware

  8. Restart computer.

    Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
    Malwarebytes For Mac requesting to restart computer

Your Mac should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.

If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future.
If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.

Scan your phone with Malwarebytes for Android to remove malware

Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.

  1. Download Malwarebytes for Android.

    You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.

    MALWAREBYTES FOR ANDROID DOWNLOAD LINK
    (The above link will open a new page from where you can download Malwarebytes for Android)
  2. Install Malwarebytes for Android on your phone.

    In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.

    Tap Install to install Malwarebytes for Android

    When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
    Malwarebytes for Android - Open App

  3. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process

    When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options.
    This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue.
    Malwarebytes Setup Screen 1
    Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step.
    Malwarebytes Setup Screen 2
    Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue.
    Malwarebytes Setup Screen 3
    Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
    Malwarebytes Setup Screen 4

  4. Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android

    You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.

    Malwarebytes fix issue

    Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.

    Update database and run Malwarebytes scan on phone

  5. Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.

    Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
    Malwarebytes scanning Android for Vmalware

  6. Click on “Remove Selected”.

    When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
    Remove malware from your phone

  7. Restart your phone.

    Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.


Your phone should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.

If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future.
If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:

Conclusion

In summary, the fake Geek Squad membership renewal emails aim to deceive recipients into calling scammers who can access devices and accounts through social engineering over the phone. Legitimate companies do not operate this way. Any unexpected calls to action in emails should be verified by directly contacting providers before calling mystery numbers. With vigilance, you can protect your data and avoid falling for phishing scams capitalizing on urgent account expirations.

How to Stay Safe Online

Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:

  1. Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.

    Shield Guide

    It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.

  2. Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.

    updates-guide

    Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.

  3. Be careful when installing programs and apps.

    install guide

    Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."

  4. Install an ad blocker.

    Ad Blocker

    Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.

  5. Be careful what you download.

    Trojan Horse

    A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.

  6. Be alert for people trying to trick you.

    warning sign

    Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.

  7. Back up your data.

    backup sign

    Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.

  8. Choose strong passwords.

    lock sign

    Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.

  9. Be careful where you click.

    cursor sign

    Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.

  10. Don't use pirated software.

    Shady Guide

    Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.

To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.