As the population of Internet users increases and more money is spent on cyberspace, it is extremely important to be most careful from modern Internet threats. Now, let me take you behind the scenes and explore the Geek Squad phishing scam – a relatively recent trend in cybercrime circles. Well, dear friends, let’s don our virtual life preservers and chart our course through these murky waters!
Image source: BITDEFENDER
What is the Geek Squad Scam?
Picture this: It’s morning: you’re having your coffee, checking your inbox… And suddenly – boom! – suddenly, there is an urgent notification that appears on the screen that comes from Geek Squad. But wait you, a technological whiz, because this might just be a wolf in geek clothing.
Geek Squad scam is a phishing process, in which cybercriminals disguise as real Geek Squad – tech support service owned by the Best Buy company – and lure victims into disclosing their details or downloading viruses. And that, my dear friends, is like a computer virus that disguises itself as a legitimate application or icon – only this title is filled with identity frauds and dangerous software – not the kind of start to the week we all long for…
The Six Faces of Geek Squad Scams
Like a chameleon at a disco, these scams are of various types. Let’s break down the six most common types:
The Renewal Scam: A classic of fear-inducing tactics is the following headline: ‘Oh no, your subscription is about to auto-renew! Click here to cancel immediately!’ Fine print: There was no subscription, and that link was sketchier than a coconut palm on the beaches of some tropical paradise.
Image source: BITDEFENDER
The Fake Antivirus Software Scam: “Your computer is infected with harmful viruses. Get our free antivirus today!” The product being advertised is in fact malicious software or virus. Talk about irony!
The Tech Support Scam: It is ringing, Ring it! “Hello, this is Geek Squad. Your device is infected. Let us remote in and fix it!” Narrator: It was not Geek Squad, and your device was right as rain before they transmitted their filthy virtual germs onto it.
The Password Reset Scam: Examples include ‘You have made purchases! Reset your password now!’ or ‘Suspicious activity detected! Reset your password now!’ The only suspicious activity is being the email message.
Image source: BITDEFENDER
The Invoice Scam: A typical example of such an email would read as follows: “Hi there, here’s an invoice for services rendered. Services rendered include unknowingly providing scam artists with express access to your bank account.
Image source: BITDEFENDER
The “Protection” Plan Scam: It contains phrases like “Choose our great service!” or “Buy our super-duper protection plan!” The latter does not actually protect you as much as you would be protected in a sauna with a chocolate teapot.
Image source: BITDEFENDER
How to Spot a Fake Geek Squad Email
Now that we know the enemy, let’s learn how to spot these digital wolves in sheep’s clothing:
Check the sender’s email address: If it arrived from “totallylegitgeeksquad@gmail.com”, it is about as real as a three-dollar bill.
Look for spelling and grammar errors: More often than not, scammers are not native English speakers, and they give it a much rougher treatment than even the most standard autocorrect fail.
Be wary of requests for personal information: Do not share your social security number, bank details or your name of your first goldfish with the real geek squad through e-mail.
Watch out for generic greetings: The message “Dear Valued Customer” is as personal as it gets in this era of the robocalls.
Hover over links before clicking: If the link seems more questionable than any back-alley narcotic transaction, then it most likely is.
Be suspicious of urgent language: Hopefully the content of the email is not more like a soap opera than anything else, although this can serve as a telltale sign that you are dealing with a scam.
Check for public email domains: Actual businesses do not operate @gmail.com or @hotmail.com for official communications.
Be cautious of attachments: If an email that arrived unsolicited promises to be something wonderful to download, simply delete it like a strange parcel at your doorstep.
What to Do If You’ve Fallen for a Geek Squad Scam
What if you have always fallen prey to a Geek Squad scam? Oh well, that happens to the best of us. Here’s your action plan:
Change your passwords: Tell them that they have got to be stronger than even your grandma’s fruitcake.
Scan for malware: Check your computer for virus through an updated antivirus program. It’s like taking shower digitally after rolling in cyber mud.
Report the incident: Tell the real Geek Squad about it. They’ll appreciate the heads-up.
Alert your contacts: Let your loved ones know about the condom snuff-film scammers. Well, it is like some kind of neighborhood watch, but focused on your inbox rather than on your street.
Monitor for identity theft: Ensure you observe any form of suspicious activity in that area. If you attempt to obtain a loan in your name to purchase yacht, then most likely it is not you unless you lead a double life and you are actually a millionaire sailor.
How to Protect Yourself from Geek Squad Scams
Prevention is better than cure. Here’s how to stay safe from scammers:
Install reliable antivirus software: Imagine it like a bouncer for your digital nightclub.
Don’t click on suspicious links or attachments: Never accept connections that you don’t recognize, treat them like a stranger offering candy and the answer is no.
Contact Geek Squad directly if in doubt: Still in regard to this, one should reach the root cause in case of any confusion.
Keep your system updated: Oh, those friendly update notifications that pop up on your screen? They’re actually digital armor.
Use common sense: If something looks to good (or bad) it is most likely a scam or fake.
Reporting Geek Squad Scams
Spotted a scam? Well, do not dismiss it – report it! Here’s how:
Report to your email provider: Click on that blessed “Report Spam” button like it stole something from your wallets.
Notify the real Geek Squad: They’ll also ask questions about their evil clones.
Forward to anti-phishing organizations: Forward it to reportphishing@apwg.org. They’re the real-world versions of the fiction favorite, Ghostbusters, only they fight against scams through phishing.
Alert your workplace IT department: If your call is related to work, you can inform the tech geeks.
Conclusion: Stay Smart, Stay Safe
In this sprawling frontier that is the new world wide web, Geek Squad cons are just one of the many bandits who aim to steal your information and money. However, having learnt their tricks and having a pinch of suspicion towards their activities, you can keep these cyber cowboys at bay.
However, let me remind you that the real Geek Squad has no intention of harassing its users for their identity or personal identification numbers and has no motive to deceive them with false virus messages. Thus, when you find yourself receiving an urgent email from the dawning ‘Geek Squad’ and you are asked to reset a password on an account you never opened in the first place, you should just tip your hat and say ‘Shucks, partner, this ain’t my first time at the rodeo.’ Good luck out there, people, and may your inbox remain phishing scam free!
FAQs
Q1: Can Geek Squad scammers access my computer?
A: They can if you give them remote access or download malware they send. Never allow unexpected remote access requests or download software from unverified sources.
Q2: What if I’ve already clicked a link in a suspicious email?
A: Immediately run a full antivirus scan on your device, change your passwords, and monitor your accounts for any suspicious activity.
Q3: Will Geek Squad ever call me unexpectedly about my computer?
A: No, Geek Squad doesn’t make unsolicited calls about your device’s security. If you receive such a call, it’s likely a scam.
Read more tech news at Techtester.
Amit Gupta is a tech lover and an enthusiastic blogger who completed his B.Tech in Computer Science. An enthusiast of emerging technology and discoveries, he shares valuable views and tips on his blog from his personal experiences. Through his articles, he tries to simplify tech concepts and put readers in the position to take responsible decisions in the rapidly changing digital infrastructure world. Follow me on Facebook and linkedin.