Geek Squad / Norton Renewal Email: Real or a Scam?

You get an email or PDF invoice saying your Geek Squad, Norton, or McAfee subscription auto-renewed for a few hundred dollars — and to dispute it, you must call a phone number.

How the Geek Squad renewal scam works

The invoice is fake and the number connects to the scammer. They offer a “refund,” ask for remote access to your computer or your banking login, then fake an “overpayment” and pressure you to send money back — often by gift cards or wire.

Red flags to watch for

• An invoice for a service you don't remember buying
• A phone number in the email you're urged to call to cancel
• They request remote access to your computer for the “refund”
• Any mention of paying back an “overpayment” with gift cards or a wire

What it looks like

“Your Geek Squad Protection has renewed for $399.99. To cancel, call 1-8XX-XXX-XXXX within 24 hours.”

What to do

1. Don't call the number in the email — real companies show charges in your account, not surprise PDFs.
2. Check your actual card or bank statement; if there's no charge, it's a scam — delete it.
3. Never allow remote access to your computer over an unsolicited invoice.
4. Report it to the FTC at 1-877-382-4357.

Other common scams