High riskEmail

Geek Squad Renewal Email Scam

This scam emails a fake Geek Squad or tech-support 'renewal invoice' for a subscription you do not have, urging you to call a number where a fake agent talks you into refunds, remote access, or payments.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Fake invoice / call-back phishing
Main red flag
An invoice for a renewal you never bought, with a phone number to 'cancel' or 'dispute' it.
What to do first
Do not call the number. Check your real accounts and bank statements directly.

Understanding this scam

This scam emails a fake Geek Squad or tech-support 'renewal invoice' for a subscription you do not have, urging you to call a number where a fake agent talks you into refunds, remote access, or payments.

Email scams, or phishing, remain one of the most common ways criminals steal logins, payment details, and money. A convincing message imitates a brand or contact and steers you toward a fake login page, a malicious attachment, or a fraudulent payment.

If you take one thing from this guide, make it this: An invoice for a renewal you never bought, with a phone number to 'cancel' or 'dispute' it. Do not call the number. Check your real accounts and bank statements directly.

If your message looks slightly different, check the Fake Tech Support Scam or the Fake Invoice Email Scam, both are close cousins of this pattern. Every related guide lives in the Email Scams guides, and the scam checker can scan the text you received.

A typical example

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Geek Squad Protection auto-renewal confirmed: $399.99 charged to your account. To cancel or dispute this charge, call 1-8XX-XXX-XXXX within 24 hours.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

The tell here: An invoice for a renewal you never bought, with a phone number to 'cancel' or 'dispute' it.

What the data shows

Most reported
phishing was the most common type of cybercrime complaint reported to the FBI in 2023
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
$12.5B
total reported internet-crime losses in the US in 2023
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center

Warning signs

  • An invoice or receipt for a product or subscription you never purchased
  • A phone number to call to 'cancel' or get a refund
  • A large charge designed to alarm you into calling
  • Generic details with no real account number that matches you
  • Pressure to act within hours to dispute the charge

Your safest response

  • Ignore the phone number and check your bank or card statements directly
  • Log in to any real accounts through their official websites to confirm no charge exists
  • Report the email as phishing to your email provider
  • Delete the email

If you have already engaged

  • If you called and were asked to install software, remove remote-access apps and run a security scan
  • If you gave bank or card details, contact your bank immediately
  • If you allowed remote access, change passwords from a different, trusted device
  • Watch for follow-up 'refund' calls, which are part of the same scam

What to avoid

  • Do not call the number in the email
  • Do not install any software a 'support agent' asks for
  • Do not accept a 'refund' that requires giving them access to your banking

You might also see

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Fake Tech Support Scam

This scam uses a pop-up, email, or phone call warning that your computer is infected or your account is compromised, urging you to call a number or allow remote access, after which the fake 'technician' charges fees, installs software, or takes your data.

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Medium risk Email

Fake Invoice Email Scam

This scam emails an invoice or receipt for something you did not buy, hoping you call a fake 'support' number or click a link to dispute it.

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Medium risk Email

Fake Amazon Order Email

This scam emails a fake order confirmation for an expensive item, hoping you click a link or call a number to dispute a charge you never made.

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Questions people ask

Why does the email want me to call instead of click?
Steering you to a phone call lets a scammer talk you into installing remote-access software or 'refunding' you in a way that actually drains your account. It is a deliberate part of the scam.
I never bought Geek Squad protection, so why the invoice?
That is the trick. The fake charge is meant to alarm you into calling. Real companies do not bill you for products you never purchased.
I called and they offered a refund. Is that safe?
No. 'Refund' calls often involve remote access to your device and bank, where scammers move or steal your money. Hang up and contact your bank directly.
How do I check if any charge is real?
Look at your actual bank and card statements and log in to your genuine accounts through official websites, never through the email.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.