See this article on Patch: https://patch.com/new-york/newrochelle/s/j9wja/police-warn-about-fake-geek-squad-email-scam-targeting-elderly

The Westchester County Police are reporting that a Con Artist scammed a Westchester victim by sending an email and posing as a “Geek Squad” worker at “Best Buy.” The victim clicked a link in the email and was taken to a Geek Squad website that seemed legitimate with a phone number for “customer service.” The victim called that number but ended up giving the scammer remote access to computer files, including banking records, and made a fraudulent edit of banking records. The scammer then claimed that funds were deposited into bank account in error, and the victim needed to go to bank to withdraw the “accidental funds” immediately, and that someone would come to victim’s home to pick it up.

Westchester County Detectives offered this advice to avoid online scams:

• Be suspicious of unexpected emails or text messages.
• Always conduct your own online search to locate a company/agency phone number or website rather than call the number or click a link provided to you.
• Don’t grant anyone access to your personal computer unless you are certain who you are dealing with.
• Never agree to pay for any service or make any reimbursement with gifts cards. That has scam written all over it.
• Do not allow any stranger to come to your home to collect cash as “reimbursement.”
• Do not let anyone keep you on the phone to bully you into going to a bank or coach you on what to say.
• When in doubt, ask a trusted friend or relative if the situation seems legitimate before taking any action.
• Do not hesitate to call police to report these incidents.

Jim Maisano