Got A “Geek Squad Renewal Processed” Email? It’s A Scam!

A deceptive email scam has been making the rounds that pretends to be from Geek Squad notifying recipients of an automatic subscription renewal. This “Geek Squad Renewal Processed” phishing scam is completely fake, but tricks many into paying fraudulent charges.

This article will break down exactly how the scam works, what to do if you receive one of these emails, and steps to take if you already fell victim. Continue reading to learn how to protect yourself from this sneaky phishing attack.

Overview of the “Geek Squad Renewal Processed” Scam

The “Geek Squad Renewal Processed” email is a prevalent scam designed to trick recipients into paying for non-existent technical support services. The email claims that Geek Squad, Best Buy’s computer repair service, has renewed a subscription for their “Total Protection” service for a fee of $499.99.

However, the renewal is completely fraudulent, as the recipient never signed up for any Geek Squad subscription in the first place. The email includes fake order details and asks the victim to call a number to cancel the bogus subscription. If the recipient calls, they will be connected to a scammer posing as a Geek Squad representative who will try to obtain remote access to their computer or extract payment.

This scam email takes advantage of Geek Squad’s reputation as a legitimate technical support service. The professional branding and corporate language give the email an air of authenticity. But make no mistake, it was not sent by Geek Squad or Best Buy.

How the “Geek Squad Renewal Processed” Scam Works

The “Geek Squad Renewal Processed” scam begins with an unsolicited email sent to the victim’s inbox. The subject line will be similar to “Geek Squad Renewal Processed” or “Your Geek Squad Subscription.”

The email body thanks the recipient for choosing Geek Squad Total Protection and states that their subscription has been automatically renewed per their consent. It includes fake details like an invoice number, renewal date, item price, and a customer support number.

The email urges the recipient to call the number provided within 24 hours if they want to cancel the renewal, seek activation support, or require any other assistance. This phone number leads to a call center staffed by scammers posing as Geek Squad agents.

Once the victim calls the number, the scammer will use high-pressure tactics to gain remote access to their computer under the guise of providing support services. From there, the scammer can install malware, steal personal data, delete files, or hold the computer ransom until the victim pays a fee.

If remote access is not achieved, the scammer may attempt to collect a payment over the phone for cancelling the non-existent subscription renewal. Credit card information entered on a website provided by the scammer may result in identity theft as well.

Some red flags that indicate the “Geek Squad Renewal” email is a scam:

• You never signed up for Geek Squad or authorized any renewal
• Misspellings, grammatical errors, or other typos
• Generic greetings like “Dear Customer” instead of your name
• Requesting immediate payment and activation within 24 hours
• Use of threatening language or false claims
• Requests for remote access to your computer
• Suspicious attachments or links to unfamiliar websites

What to Do if You Receive This Scam Email

If this fraudulent email ends up in your inbox, take the following steps:

• Do not call the phone number in the email under any circumstances. The number will connect you with scammers, not legitimate Geek Squad representatives.
• Do not click on any links or download attachments from the email. They may contain malware.
• Forward the scam email to Geek Squad at phishing@geeksquad.com. This allows them to track the scam and warn others.
• Report the scam email as phishing or spam in your email client. This helps improve spam filters.
• Delete the email to remove it from your inbox. Be sure to empty your trash folder as well.
• Run a scan with your antivirus software to check for and remove malware if you clicked anything in the email.
• Change passwords and enable two-factor authentication if you believe your accounts may have been compromised.
• Watch for suspicious charges or activity on your financial accounts used for online payments. Contact your bank if you see any.
• Educate yourself on common online scams. Knowledge is your best defense against repeated tricks.

What to Do if You Already Paid the Scammers

Unfortunately, some victims of the “Geek Squad Renewal” scam get duped into paying the fake renewal fee over the phone or online. If you were deceived and lost money to this scam, take these steps right away:

• Contact your bank to report the fraudulent charges and have them reversed if possible. Cancel any compromised credit cards.
• Call the legitimate Geek Squad at 1-800-Geek-Squad to alert them of the situation if you revealed any personal information.
• Change any account passwords you may have exposed to the scammers. Enable two-factor authentication if available.
• Scan your computer for malware, worms, spyware, remote access tools, or other threats that may have been installed if the scammer gained access.
• File a report about the scam with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your local police department. Provide any details that may aid investigations.
• Be wary of any future contact from the scammers. They may threaten or offer services to redeem yourself but cut off all communication.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Scam

Why do people fall for the “Geek Squad Renewal” scam?

This scam is effective because it uses the trusted brand name of the legitimate technical support service Geek Squad. Many people have actually used Geek Squad before, so an email about renewing a subscription seems plausible. The professional design also lends credibility. Scammers exploit the assumption that big corporations send automated renewal notices.

How do the scammers obtain email addresses?

Email addresses are often compiled from data breaches and sold on the dark web. Cold calling or engaging on social media can also extract email addresses. Some scammers use email scraping tools or generators to create randomized addresses for mass spamming.

What are the scammers trying to gain from this scam?

The end goal is monetary theft, either through directly collecting fake renewal fees or stealing personal and financial data. Allowing remote access enables scammers to install keylogging malware to capture sensitive information as well. Calls to the victims are recorded to learn personal details and improve social engineering tactics.

Does Geek Squad actually offer an auto-renewing subscription service?

No, Geek Squad does not have any subscription services that automatically renew without the customer’s consent. Their services are provided on-demand when a customer requests and pays for them. Any email claiming Geek Squad renewed a non-existent subscription is a scam.

What other Geek Squad scams exist?

Variations of the “Geek Squad Renewal” scam may claim you are eligible for a refund or owe money on an expired subscription. Scammers also impersonate Geek Squad via cold calls pretending your computer sent error messages. Emails containing fake security warnings that provide a Geek Squad phone number are also common.

What can I do to avoid falling for tech support scams?

Be suspicious of any unsolicited contact requesting payment or remote computer access, even if they claim to be a well-known company. Verify renewal and billing notices directly with the business. Check for grammatical errors, generic greetings, and other signs of a scam. Keep your software up-to-date and use antivirus to avoid real infections.

In Conclusion

The “Geek Squad Renewal Processed” email scam demonstrates how cybercriminals impersonate real companies to trick users into paying for fake services. If you receive an email like this, report it as spam immediately rather than calling the number or clicking any links. Never provide remote access or sensitive information to unsolicited contacts. Stay vigilant for variants of this scam mentioning other tech brands. With knowledge of their tactics, you can avoid becoming the victim of frauds like this.