Jim Rossman: Yes, you can trust Geek Squad

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This week, a reader writes, “I have a Best Buy/Geek Squad account and in the years past I have allowed their techs to take over my PC remotely to clean it up so that it runs faster. Do you think I am taking any kind of risk, e.g., stolen account data, when I do this?”

This is a good question, and any time someone outside your home or family accesses your computer, you are right to question what’s going on.

Readers frequently ask me for a recommendation for in-person tech help, but I don’t make those types of recommendations. I don’t personally know any independent desktop support people, and I just don’t feel comfortable sending readers to someone I don’t know to potentially come into their homes.

I know a lot of people who rely on their children or even grandchildren to help with their tech issues. Asking friends or family for a recommendation is also a way to go.

I have sent plenty of people to Geek Squad, which is a computer support option available through Best Buy stores nationwide. They offer in-store service as well as remote support options, including remotely controlling your system to fix things. They offer ongoing support plans or individual service incident options.

I have not personally used Geek Squad, but I have recommended them to people who need tech help. I know plenty of people who have used them, and they generally have nice things to say about them.

My first choice would probably be to take my PC to the closest Best Buy for repair, but I understand proximity to a store or your individual transportation situation may necessitate using remote control for a troubleshooting session.

What you really want to be sure of is that you make the contact with Geek Squad and not the other way around.

Geek Squad will never reach out to you. I’ve seen situations where a reader will get a text or phone call telling them a problem has been traced back to their specific computer and they’d offer to help them fix the issue remotely. Some of these scammers will tell you they are from Geek Squad.

The bottom line is if you do have a real computer problem, it’s OK to call Geek Squad. I realize this sounds like an ad, but it is not.