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Fake Geek Squad scam email tricks users with phony invoices and charges

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You open your inbox and see a message titled: “Payment instruction given” With an official-looking invoice from Geek Squad. At first glance it looks legitimate. It includes your email address and even a phone number for help. That’s exactly what happened this week when I received one of these messages.

This new Geek Squad scam email is designed to get you to panic, call the fake number, and share sensitive information without realizing it’s a trap. Your curiosity could turn into a costly mistake before you know it; So let’s look at the red flags you should look out for and how you can protect yourself.

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Fake Geek Squad invoice emails are flooding inboxes and trying to trick recipients into giving up private financial information. (pixelfit/Getty Images)

Red flags that rule out fraud

When I took a closer look, a few warning signs stood out:

Email said “Dear User” instead of using my name
Also says BUYER: KAREN HILL, Which is definitely not me.
The sender’s address is a Gmail account, Not Geek Squad.
listed a phone number It tells me to call customer support to cancel the renewal or my account will be charged.
bill said $580.57 I would be charged for a two-year Geek Squad subscription even though I never signed up.

These details are intended to create urgency and push you to react before you think.

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This fake Geek Squad invoice looks professional, but little red flags like a generic greeting reveal the scam. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How does the scam work?

Scams are based on fear and confusion. When you call the number, the person on the line sounds polite and professional. They may say they need to verify your payment or reverse a payment. In reality, they are trying to get your credit card number or persuade you to install software that will give them access to your computer.

In some cases, they claim that they refunded too much money by accident and ask you to send back some of the money. Victims lose hundreds or even thousands of dollars this way.

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Scammers want you to panic and call their number. Remember, real companies never ask for sensitive details over the phone or email. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why do these scam emails look so real?

Scammers have improved their tactics. In this Geek Squad scam email I received, they copied the official logo, used clean layouts, and added my real email address to make it look legitimate. This information is often saved from data leaks or security breaches found online.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now making these scams even harder to spot. It helps scammers write natural messages, design fake invoices, and create realistic-looking support scripts. With these tools, they can make almost anyone believe that the email is real.

Always pause before reacting. Read carefully, check the sender, and question anything that looks suspicious. If you want to stay one step ahead, here are some things that can help keep you safe.

How to protect yourself from scam emails

Scam emails like the fake Geek Squad invoice are becoming more common and more convincing. They use fear and urgency to get you to click or search without thinking. Protecting yourself means slowing down, verifying every detail, and strengthening your digital defenses. Here’s how you can stay safe.

1) Do not search or click on anything in the email and use strong antivirus software.

The phone number or link in the message connects you directly to the scammers; so don’t click or search. Once you engage, they may pressure you to share personal information or even install malware on your device. The moment I saw the “payment order completed” email I realized something was wrong because I don’t even have a Geek Squad account. That alone was a huge red flag. If you receive a message about a service you never signed up for, delete it immediately. Instead of calling the number in the message, check if there is an actual issue with your account by going to the official Best Buy or Geek Squad website. Also sign up for strong antivirus software. Antivirus software acts as your digital protection. It scans downloads, detects malicious links, and warns you about dangerous sites before they load. Choose a reliable program that updates automatically and includes email protection features. This extra layer of defense can prevent malware from taking over if you accidentally click on something suspicious.

Get my picks for the 2025 best antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices at: cyberguy.com.

2) Check the sender’s email address carefully

Scammers often use email addresses that appear real but contain minor differences such as extra numbers, misspelled words or unusual domain names. A real Geek Squad or Best Buy email will come from @bestbuy.com. Always hover over the sender’s name to see the real address before replying.

3) Never share your personal information or payment information with unexpected callers

If someone contacts you claiming to be from Geek Squad or Best Buy, remain calm and skeptical. Real companies don’t ask for bank information, gift card payments, or remote access to your computer over the phone. Hang up and contact the company directly via their verified website or customer service number.

4) Use a data removal service

Many scams start with stolen or leaked personal data. A data removal service can help delete your information from data broker sites that sell contact lists to marketers and scammers. Reducing your digital footprint makes it harder for criminals to target you with fake invoices or phishing emails.

While no service can guarantee complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is truly a smart choice. They’re not cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically deleting your personal information from hundreds of websites. This is what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to delete your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of fraudsters cross-referencing data obtained from breaches with information they can find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

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5) Monitor your bank and credit card statements

Despite the precautions, it would be wise to monitor your accounts. Check your bank and credit card activity weekly to see if there are any charges you don’t recognize. If you see anything suspicious, contact your financial institution immediately to report it and dispute the charge.

6) Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication It adds another barrier between you and scammers. Even if someone steals your password, they won’t be able to log in without the secondary code sent to your phone or authentication app. Turn on 2FA for your email, online shopping, and banking accounts.

7) Use strong, unique passwords

Weak or repeated passwords make you an easy target. Create long, unique passwords for each account. A password manager can store them securely and create complex combinations that are difficult to guess or crack.

Next, see if your email has been subject to past breaches. Our #1 password manager pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks to see if your email address or passwords appear in known leaks. If you find a match, immediately replace reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.

Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at: cyberguy.com.

8) Update your software regularly

Outdated software is one of the easiest ways for hackers to infiltrate. Keep your operating system, browser and security programs up to date. Turn on automatic updates so you don’t have to think about it. These patches often close vulnerabilities known to be exploited by fraudsters.

9) Check official accounts before panicking

Before responding to any billing or payment alerts, go directly to the official account or service specified, such as Geek Squad, PayPal, Amazon, or your bank. Log in directly via their website or app to verify details. If nothing appears there, the email is a scam. This quick step can save you from an expensive mistake.

10) Report email as phishing

Reporting suspicious emails helps prevent scammers from targeting others. Most email services, including Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo, allow you to mark messages as phishing. You can also forward the email to reportphishing@apwg.org to the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) or Abuse@bestbuy.com to alert the appropriate teams.

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Kurt’s important takeaways

Receiving one of these fake bills can be stressful, but remember that many people receive the same message every day. The goal is to recognize the signs, refuse to respond, and report them to protect others.

Have you ever received a convincing scam email like this? How did you handle this? Let us know by writing to us. cyberguy.com.

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning technology journalist with a deep love for technology, hardware and devices that make life better, with his morning appearances on “FOX & Friends” and his contributions to Fox News and FOX Business. Have a technical question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter and share your voice, story idea or comment CyberGuy.com.