Since late November, many consumers and business owners nationwide have received phishing emails appearing to be from a BBB.org email address. These emails inform the recipient of a non-existent BBB complaint against their business and encourage them to respond. In a newer take on the scam, emails urge the recipient to update their information with BBB by completing an online form. All emails either contain an attachment or a link to a third-party website, both of which download a virus on to the recipient’s computer. Some of the emails use the BBB Torch logo, includes a complaint number and directs people to bbb.org. It appears to come from a BBB address like riskmanager@bbb.org or manager@bbb.org.
Should you receive a suspicious email, don't click on any links. You can test the links by using your mouse to hover over them. The destination of the links will appear in a small pop-up box next to the link or at the bottom of the screen. If the email is a scam, the website shown will not be a BBB.org URL.
We encourage you to take the following steps if you receive one of these malicious emails:
- Please forward them to: phishing@council.bbb.org.
- Before forwarding please copy the properties of the senders’ IP address and paste on the forwarded email.
- Delete after forwarding.
- Alert everyone you know by way of traditional or social media.
- If you open the email and clink on the link – you may have infected your computer with a virus. When in doubt run a virus scan!
Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about a new twist in the ongoing BBB phishing scam. Consumers now are reporting receiving phone calls – in addition to emails – from scammers claiming to be from BBB.
In the scam, callers offer help removing a virus from the recipient’s computer. They claim the computer was infected when the owner downloaded a virus from an email scam using the BBB name. Consumers reported scammers calling from 858-102-3252.
BBB is cautioning consumers not to give out any personal information to callers or to install or download any software they recommend.
As always, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. We apologize for any inconvenience these scammers cause.
This is a sample of what the emails look like:
From: ::Better Business Bureau:: [mailto:manager@bbb.org]
Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 3:56 AM
To: marketing@houseplans.net
Subject: Re: BBB Case # 64168176
Hello,
The Better Business Bureau has been filed the above-referenced complaint from one of your customers regarding their dealings with you.
The detailed information about the consumer's concern is included in enclosed document.
Please review this problem and let us know about your point of view.
Please click here to respond this complaint.
We look forward to your prompt response.
Faithfully yours,
Shawna Dennis
Better Business Bureau
