How to Spot Scams Like the Geek Squad Email Scam

Geek Squad sometimes are used by cybercriminals in getting and stealing information. Scammers would send emails which would look like its a legitimate email coming from Geek Squad. The email’s message would trick recipients in calling a provided number which would of course be the scammer. Hence, we highly recommend for you to ignore this type of emails and be cautious when receiving one.

More About The Geek Squad Email Scam

The Geek Squad email comes with a message which states that your Geek Total Protection subscription would be automatically renewed and that you would be charged with a $499.99 fee. In the email, you would receive fake invoice with renewal date and even with a service name.

The scam often times work when the recipients would believe that they would be charged with something they haven’t even purchased. The victims would be lured to call the scammer and once the scammers are contacted, the scammers would ask for personal information including your credit card details and social security number. Some would even trick users to download malware which of course would also provide them an avenue in invading your privacy and for them to be able to access your information.

Email Scams In General

Scammers often times send emails which lure victims into providing personal information and accounts which would lead to financial losses. These malicious emails often disguises as messages from legitimate companies. The messages would seem to come with urgency and would often look official and important. Furthermore, these types of emails could also come with malware which could infect your computer.

Here are some examples of email scams:

Norton Subscription Will Renew Today
CANADIAN LOTTERY
Mail Delivery Successful Email Scam

How Do Spam Campaigns Infect Computers?

Spam campaigns sometime contain malicious attachments and links wherein when opened or clicked would bring infection to your device or computer. Hence, we highly recommend for you to be cautious when opening attachment and clicking links.

How To Avoid Installation of Malware

Do not open attachments and links from emails you do not know
Download software and files only from official websites
Do not use P2P networks, third-party downloaders, unofficial pages, etc.
Keep your operating system and installed programs up to date
Use a reliable anti-virus such as the Combo Cleaner Antivirus for MacOS

Examples of Geek Squad Emails

“Dear Customer,

Thank you for choosing Geek Total Protection. We have renewed your Subscription as per your electronic consent. Hope you are with us. This email is to inform you that an amount of $499.99 has been charged for the services. For any assistance, please call: +1-808-666-6112.

Order details:

Invoice Number: GS-1233-5339570

Registered Email:

Service: Geek Total Protection

Renewal Date: May 20, 2023

Next Renewal Date: May 20, 2024

Total Price: $499.99

Note: for any service activation queries or support or if you want to cancel subscription please call us within 24 hours for easy assistance.

Warm regards,

Geek squad Team”

Here is another example

“Subject: Plan renewed id”124792

Dear # –

Customer Order Number: DHRW49

This mail is to let you know that your yearly membership for the prior year expired on (18 August 2022). We are renewing your membership plan for the device and internet security shield for this year because you chose automatic payments. The payment of $379.78 is being processes from the updated nominated payment method and it will appear on your banking statement in few hours. This is a recurring charge which will be automatically debited on 18 August 2023. unless we get a verbal consent to deactivate the current services. In case you change your mind and cancel/void the charges or stop the auto debit payments, please contact us within 24 hours on the below mentioned number. For any queries or assistance, reach out to us # +1(888)4527924. Thanking you, Tony Keibler”

Types of Malicious Emails

Phishing Emails

These types of emails are often used by scammers in tricking their victims in providing them their sensitive personal information such as login information, email accounts and banking information. The attack is well-known as phishing. Phishing would come in an email format which would seem to be coming from a legitimate company and the subject would seem to have a sense of urgency and importance. The email would include a link where would redirect you to a fake website which looks similarly to the original website. The victims would be asked to provide their passwords, credit card details, etc.

Emails with Malicious Attachments

Another type of email would be in a form of an email spam which comes with malicious attachment. Once the victim opens the malicious attachment, it would infect the device of the victim with trojans which could definitely steal passwords, banking information and other personal and sensitive data.

Sextortion Emails

This type of email usually is phishing type. You would receive an email claiming that the scammer has possession of a video recording of one’s masturbation. For you to get rid of the video, you would have to send a ransom using Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency. Usually these types of email are fake and false. Hence, we highly recommend for you to just ignore and delete them.

How to Spot Malicious Emails?

Check the sender’s “from” email address – if it sounds malicious, delete and ignore the email.
Check for generic greetings – legitimate companies would use your name and not just generic greeting.
Check the links in the email – if you are not sure about the link and it seem suspicious, do not click on it.
Do not blindly trust email attachments – do not open attachment that you are unsure of. To minimize your risk, we recommend for you to use Combo Cleaner Antivirus for MacOS.

What to Do If You Fell for An Email Scam?

Change your password right away
Contact your bank as soon as possible if you have provided your credit card information
Contact the Federal Trade commission if you suspect of identity theft
Use a reliable antivirus such as the Combo Cleaner Antivirus for MacOS.