In short
Best Buy says trusted brands, itself included, will not contact you asking for personal information or payment for a support issue unless you have already been in touch with them, and it generally does not make unsolicited calls. If you are unsure, it asks you to call 1-888-BEST BUY or use the contact options on BestBuy.com.
Most common fake: Invoice saying you were charged hundreds of dollars to renew Geek Squad.
Safest check: Do not call the number in the email or let anyone connect to your computer.
What Geek Squad says
Best Buy says trusted brands, itself included, will not contact you asking for personal information or payment for a support issue unless you have already been in touch with them, and it generally does not make unsolicited calls. If you are unsure, it asks you to call 1-888-BEST BUY or use the contact options on BestBuy.com. Source: Best Buy
Common fake Geek Squad messages
- Invoice saying you were charged hundreds of dollars to renew Geek Squad
- Urgent request to call a number within 24 hours to cancel
- Refund offer that needs remote access to your computer
- Claim that too much was refunded and you must pay it back with gift cards
- Request for bank or card details to process a refund
Geek Squad's real web addresses
Genuine Geek Squad links and emails use these domains. Look at the part just before the first single slash: bestbuy.com is real, but bestbuy-support-center.com or bestbuy.com.account-check.top are not.
- bestbuy.com
Scammers can also hide a fake link behind real-looking text. Learn how to read a web address.
How to check a Geek Squad message safely
- Do not call the number in the email or let anyone connect to your computer
- Sign in to your Best Buy account yourself to see any real memberships or orders
- Check your bank or card statement for an actual charge
- Contact Best Buy using 1-888-BEST BUY or the details on BestBuy.com
How to report a fake Geek Squad message
- Email scams that use the Best Buy or Geek Squad name to abuse@bestbuy.com. Official details on bestbuy.com
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Official details on reportfraud.ftc.gov
Also report it to the official fraud service in your country. See the worldwide list.
If you clicked, paid or shared details
Act quickly. It makes a difference.
- If you entered card or bank details, call your bank now using the number on your card, and ask them to block the card.
- If you entered a password, change it on the real Geek Squad website or app and turn on two-step verification.
- Expect follow-up calls or messages pretending to help. Never share one-time codes or move money to a "safe account".
- Report the scam, then delete the message.
More help: Tech support and remote-access scams and what to do after a scam.
Questions people ask
Does Geek Squad send messages asking for payment or personal details?
Best Buy says trusted brands, itself included, will not contact you asking for personal information or payment for a support issue unless you have already been in touch with them, and it generally does not make unsolicited calls. If you are unsure, it asks you to call 1-888-BEST BUY or use the contact options on BestBuy.com.
How can I check if a Geek Squad message is real?
Do not call the number in the email or let anyone connect to your computer. Sign in to your Best Buy account yourself to see any real memberships or orders. Check your bank or card statement for an actual charge. Contact Best Buy using 1-888-BEST BUY or the details on BestBuy.com.
How do I report a fake Geek Squad message?
Email scams that use the Best Buy or Geek Squad name to abuse@bestbuy.com. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
I clicked a link in a fake Geek Squad message. What should I do?
Don't enter anything else. If you typed card or bank details, call your bank now using the number on your card. If you entered a password, change it on the real website and turn on two-step verification. Then report the message and delete it.
Official sources and further reading
We check our pages against official advice from the organisations themselves and from government agencies.
- Protect Yourself (Best Buy)
- How to recognize a fake Geek Squad renewal scam (Federal Trade Commission)
- How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Tech Support Scams (Federal Trade Commission)