Image via Wikipedia
An email scam using the Better Business Bureau’s name and logo continues to make its way across the internet. Like most scams out there this one is convincing because it contains official logos. Most of the emails carry the famous BBB torch logo and come with the subject line “Complaint from your customers.” The emails have a link or an attachment containing malicious phishing malware that steals information, often with devastating results.
If the link is clicked malware can quickly launch which is programmed to access bank numbers and passwords. Fund transfer can quickly take place if the attachment is opened.
The BBB has updated its advice and recommends the following to anyone who receives the email:
- Do not to open any attachments
- Do not click on any links
- Forward the email to phishing@council.bbb.org and then delete it from your inbox, and then delete it again from your trash or recycling folder
- Run a full system scan using reputable virus software
Previously, the Better Business Bureau had only recommended running a full system scan if the recipient had clicked on the link or opened the attachment. However, due to the virulent nature of the virus, the new recommendation is for everyone who receives it to do a thorough scan.
Microsoft offers a simple, four-step process for setting up an SPF:www.microsoft.com/mscorp/safety/content/technologies/senderid/wizard/
If you receive an email saying your business has a complaint filed against it with BBB, there are several things you can do to authenticate it:
- Look for typos, grammatical errors, etc. in the text that could indicate it originated overseas.
- Check to see who it says it is from. Complaints go out from the local BBBs, not from the headquarters office.
- Hover your mouse over the link to see if its destination is really a bbb.org address.
- Copy and paste the link into Notepad (not Word). Notepad does not support html, so if the link is a fake bbb.org address, the real link will show up.
- If you still are not sure, go to www.bbb.org to find your local BBB, and send them a new email to ask if you have a complaint (do not Reply to the email you received, or forward it to them). They have been swamped with requests, so you may not hear back immediately.
With more and more people setting up virtual shops to sell anything from coffee cups to self published novels anyone can be threatened by an official sounding email from the Better Business Bureau and most of us would be inclined to open it because we know what it means to have a good rating with the BBB. Consider this: most customers will contact the business owner before going to the BBB. If you have a dispute going on with a client that might warrant some kind of email from the BBB, give the Better Business Bureau a call and find out.
Do Not Open The Attachment in this email.
Recent Comments