How to Spot and Avoid the Geek Squad Renewal Email Scam

You’re going about your day when an email pings into your inbox: “Your Geek Squad subscription is Platform tradingabout to renew. Charge: $499.99. If this is a mistake, call now.”

Cue mini heart attack.

But before you frantically dial the number or click that suspicious-looking link, take a moment. Because chances are, this email didn’t come from Geek Squad at all — it came from a scammer hoping you’ll panic and hand over your personal info.

The Geek Squad Scam, Unplugged

Here’s the game: cyber crooks dress up as Geek Squad (you know, Best Buy’s tech support team) and send you an official-sounding email saying your annual subscription is auto-renewing. The fake invoice looks real. The language sounds urgent. Sometimes there’s even a number to “cancel” the renewal. Spoiler alert: that number connects you to the scammer.

Once you’re on the hook, they might ask for remote access to your device, demand payment, or try to steal your identity faster than you can say “tech support.”

How to Outsmart a Fake Email

1. The Email Address is a Dead Giveaway

Legit Geek Squad emails end in @bestbuy.com. If it’s coming from @geeksquad-renewal247.biz or some jumbled mess of letters and numbers? That’s your first clue it’s bogus.

2. Grammar That Makes You Cringe

No offense to scammers, but they’re rarely grammar pros. If the email reads like it was written by a robot with a thesaurus, steer clear.

3. The Pressure Cooker

Real companies don’t send emails that scream “ACT NOW OR ELSE.” Urgency is a classic scam tactic. Don’t take the bait.

Source: LinkedIn

4. Links That Lead You Astray

Hover over links without clicking. If the URL isn’t taking you to bestbuy.com, don’t go there. And definitely don’t download any attachments unless you enjoy malware as a surprise guest on your computer.

5. Mysterious Charges

If you’re not sure whether the charge is real, don’t trust the email. Log into your actual Best Buy account — the one you created, not the one in the email — and check things out for yourself.

So You Got One — Now What?

Don’t click anything. Don’t call the number. Don’t reply. Just delete.

• Report the email to Best Buy (abuse@bestbuy.com) and the FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov). Think of it as warning the next person.
• Changed your mind and clicked something? It happens. Check your bank and email accounts for weird activity, update your passwords, and turn on two-factor authentication like your digital life depends on it — because it kinda does.

Bottom Line: Check The Facts, And Trust Your Gut

If an email feels fishy, treat it like a phishing line. Don’t let urgency tricks or official-looking logos fool you — scammers are counting on panic to do the work for them. Take a breath, check the facts, and trust your gut. When in doubt, don’t click — log in directly to your account, contact the real customer support, or just delete the email entirely. Stay calm, stay smart, and never let a fake invoice ruin your day, your data, or your bank account. You've got better things to do than outwit cybercriminals before breakfast.