Reports of business imposter fraud by consumers in those age groups increased from 14,914 in 2016 to 44,114 in 2020. Victim testimonials in Best Buy’s own technical support forums date back to 2019.īusiness imposter fraud topped the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Sentinel Network’s tally of types of fraud against consumers ages 60 to 69 and 70 to 79 for the first time in the fourth quarter of 2020, knocking government imposters from the top spot.
The Florida Attorney General’s Office received 10 complaints about Geek Squad phishing scams over 12 months ending March 2020. Scammers send out emails “phishing” for likely subscribers.
Known across the internet as the Geek Squad scam, it also comes disguised as other technical support plans, including Norton Anti Virus and other trusted brands. “They would have put me in an institution if they found out,” she said. The 77-year-old asked not to be named for this story, saying she hasn’t told her children what happened to her. That allows it to perpetuate.”Īnother South Florida victim, from Boynton Beach, lost $52,724 to a Geek Squad scam. They think, ‘How could I have allowed this to happen to me?’ They tend to hide it. “And that’s because the senior is ashamed. “Very few scams like this get reported,” said Ora Tanner, a researcher on the Aspen Tech Policy Hub’s recent project, Protecting Older Users Online. If she wanted to reverse the charge, she’d need to call the customer support number in the email within 24 hours.ĭialing that number was a decision Belz, who ultimately lost $1,800, and a unknowable number of other victims soon came to regret. The email stated that her support plan had been extended for three years and her credit card charged $392.95. Like many other older adults venturing into the online universe, she didn’t know how to fix computer problems and wanted to be able to get help when necessary.
She had opted for a Geek Squad technical support plan when she bought her MacBook in 2017. That’s what makes it so devious - and its victims so vulnerable.ĭelray Beach, Fla., resident Diane Belz, 68, had no reason to be suspicious on March 1 when she opened an email claiming to be from Best Buy’s Geek Squad. The latest online scam targeting seniors is almost too ingenious not to work.
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