HIGH RISK
Geek Squad / Best Buy Scam
Fake emails claiming your Geek Squad subscription auto-renewed for hundreds of dollars, prompting you to call for a "refund."
Losses: Part of $924 million in tech support fraud (FTC 2024)
Targets: Anyone with email, especially older adults
Updated: 2026-01-06
Also known as: Best Buy Scam • Geek Squad Renewal Scam • Refund Scam
1How It Works
You receive an email that looks like it's from Geek Squad or Best Buy claiming your subscription has auto-renewed for $299-$499.
The email includes an "invoice" and a phone number to call if you want to cancel and get a refund.
When you call:
1. The scammer confirms your "subscription" and offers a refund
2. They ask for remote access to "process the refund"
3. They pretend to accidentally refund too much (e.g., $3,000 instead of $300)
4. They guilt you into "returning" the overpayment via gift cards or wire transfer
5. In reality, they've either moved money between your own accounts or stolen from you
How Scammers Make Contact
EmailText messagesPhone calls
2Warning Signs & Red Flags
- You receive an invoice for a service you never signed up for
- Email asks you to call a phone number (not click a link to your account)
- Sense of urgency — "Call within 24 hours"
- Generic greeting instead of your name
- Email address doesn't match official Best Buy domain
- They ask for remote access to process a "refund"
- They claim to have refunded too much and need money back
3Real-World Example
"I got an email saying my Geek Squad subscription renewed for $349. I never signed up for this, so I called the number. They said they'd refund me but accidentally sent $3,499 instead of $349. They showed me my bank account on screen with the higher balance. They begged me to send back the difference in Target gift cards or they'd lose their job. I sent $3,000 in gift cards before my son told me it was a scam."
— AARP Fraud Watch Network
4How to Protect Yourself
- Don't call phone numbers in unexpected invoices — go to the official website instead
- Check your actual Best Buy account at bestbuy.com for any real subscriptions
- Never give remote access to someone claiming to give you a refund
- Legitimate companies don't ask for refunds via gift cards or wire transfers
- Look closely at the sender's email address — scammers use lookalike domains
5What To Do If You're a Victim
- 1If you gave remote access, disconnect and run antivirus immediately
- 2Change your passwords from a different device
- 3Contact your bank about any unauthorized transactions
- 4If you sent gift cards, report to the gift card company (they may be able to freeze funds)
- 5Report to FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- 6Forward the scam email to Best Buy: abuse@bestbuy.com
Report This Scam
?Frequently Asked Questions
What is Geek Squad / Best Buy Scam?
Fake emails claiming your Geek Squad subscription auto-renewed for hundreds of dollars, prompting you to call for a "refund." You receive an email that looks like it's from Geek Squad or Best Buy claiming your subscription has auto-renewed for $299-$499.
The email includes an "invoice" and a phone number to call if you want to cancel and get a refund.
When you call:
1. The scammer confirms your "subscription" and offers ...
How common is this type of scam?
Geek Squad / Best Buy Scam is classified as a high risk threat. Reported losses: Part of $924 million in tech support fraud (FTC 2024). This primarily targets Anyone with email, especially older adults.
Can I get my money back?
Recovery depends on how you paid. Credit card payments may be reversed through chargebacks. Wire transfers and cryptocurrency are rarely recoverable. Report immediately to your bank and file complaints with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and FBI IC3 at ic3.gov.
How do I report this?
Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. For internet crimes, file with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov. For identity theft, visit identitytheft.gov. Also contact your local police and your bank.
Sources & References
Related Scams
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