Scamwise is better in the Savi app. Download free.
Scamwise
Savi
Back

10. Best Buy / Geek Squad

Brand imposter · RetailJuly 2026

Geek Squad is the tech-support arm of Best Buy, and millions of households have bought a protection plan or repair from them at some point. Geek Squad's 'agents' have been providing in-person, trusted tech advice and repairs since the early days of the Internet. The brand recognition, association with trusted tech service and a faint memory of an interaction with a real person provides scammers with a widespread brand familiarity.

How Best Buy / Geek Squad is being impersonated

Popular impersonation lures to pay attention to:

The renewal invoice

An official-looking invoice says your Geek Squad protection plan renewed for $299–$449, with a number to call for cancellation. The FTC has warned about this scam specifically.

The refund choreography

Like the classic McAfee renewal scam, the refund choreography is similar. When victims call to cancel, it often leads to remote access, a staged "overpayment," and demands to return money via gift cards or wire. Scamwise and other 2026 security-industry reporting shows the same kit cycling through Geek Squad, Norton, McAfee, and PayPal branding interchangeably — it's one imposter scam with an expanding wardrobe of brands to hijack.

Second channel checks

When you want to be sure

  1. 1

    Check your statement and your Best Buy account.

    Real Geek Squad plans appear under your account at bestbuy.com (typed directly). No charge on your card + no plan in your account = fake.

  2. 2

    Call the real Best Buy: 1-888-BEST-BUY (1-888-237-8289).

    That is the only number for verifying anything Geek Squad, never the one in the email.

  3. 3

    Treat the refund choreography as the giveaway.

    Remember, legitimate refunds from legitimate brands never require you to buy anything.

Similar impersonated brands

McAfee

The auto-renewal refund scam — a fake invoice, a refund call, and a remote-access trap.

Microsoft

Fake Defender/365 renewal invoices and browser-locking security pop-ups with a “support” number.