Have you seen it? An email scam using BBB’s name and logo is spreading a malicious virus that infects computers and networks to steal banking and other critical information.
BBB has updated its advice and recommends the following to anyone who receives the email:
- Do not open any attachments
- Do not click on any links
- Delete the email from your inbox, and then delete it again from your trash or recycling folder
- Run a full system scan using reputable virus software
Earlier BBB said to run the scan only if you’d opened the attachment or clinked on the link, but because the virus causes so much damage, we are now recommending that everyone who gets it run the scan. If you are networked, run a scan on all computers.
Domain owners should also set up a sender policy framework (SPF) and set their spam filter to use it. Microsoft offers a simple, four-step process for setting up an SPF: www.microsoft.com/mscorp/safety/content/technologies/senderid/wizard/
For information on how to know if the email is real or a fake, go to: www.bbb.org
Here’s the latest today.
Hello,
Here with the Better Business Bureau would like to inform you that we have been sent a complaint (ID 24156475) from a customer of yours in regard to their dealership with you.
Please open the COMPLAINT REPORT below to view the details on this problem and inform us about your point of view as soon as possible.
We are looking forward to your prompt reply.
Sincerely,
Gerard Johnson
Dispute Counselor
Better Business Bureau
Council of Better Business Bureaus
4200 Wilson Blvd, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1838
Phone: 1 (703) 276.0100
Fax: 1 (703) 525.8277
Attention: Owner/Manager
Here with the Better Business Bureau would like to notify you that we have been sent a complaint (ID 05327575) from a customer of yours in regard to their dealership with you.
Please open the COMPLAINT REPORT below to find the details on this matter and let us know of your position as soon as possible.
We hope to hear from you very soon.
Sincerely,
Gerard Johnson
Dispute Counselor
Better Business Bureau
Council of Better Business Bureaus
4200 Wilson Blvd, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1838
Phone: 1 (703) 276.0100
Fax: 1 (703) 525.8277
Good afternoon,
Here with the Better Business Bureau informs you that we have received a complaint (ID 77425832) from a customer of yours related to their dealership with you.
Please open the COMPLAINT REPORT below to find more information on this question and let us know of your point of view as soon as possible.
We hope to hear from you very soon.
Kind regards,
Fernando Grodhaus
Dispute Counselor
Better Business Bureau
Council of Better Business Bureaus
4200 Wilson Blvd, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1838
Phone: 1 (703) 276.0100
Fax: 1 (703) 525.8277
Good afternoon,
Here with the Better Business Bureau informs you that we have received a complaint (ID 77425832) from a customer of yours related to their dealership with you.
Please open the COMPLAINT REPORT below to find more information on this question and let us know of your point of view as soon as possible.
We hope to hear from you very soon.
Kind regards,
Fernando Grodhaus
Dispute Counselor
Better Business Bureau
Council of Better Business Bureaus
4200 Wilson Blvd, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1838
Phone: 1 (703) 276.0100
Fax: 1 (703) 525.8277
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got the same letter as above but with a different signature. Twice
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Received the same basic email, different signature – and addressed to a ton of people – which is a giveaway in itself.
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PS: Clinked on the link?
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I got the “Fernando Grodhaus” one here in New Mexico — luckily I saw the incorrect spelling and grammar in the opening sentence and deleted it. Thanks for the info, BBB.
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hi, it seems i got SEVERAL of this types of case# things in my SPAM FOLDER. however, due to the fact that the fool thought that i was still working for my prior employer of 2 years ago, it sounded pretty bogus. indeed, i haven’t used that email in a couple years. gmx is truely a great site! anyways, malware bytes blocks the bogus links sites-emails rather well. by the way those types of sites are building up quickly in my yahoo account!
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Here is the scam as it appears in my e-mail”RE: Case # 67381711 2011/12/21 Hello, The Better Business Bureau has got the above-referenced complaint from one of your clients regarding their dealings with you. The detailed information about the consumer’s concern is presented in enclosed file. Please give attention to this case and let us know about your standpoint. Please open the ATTACHED REPORT to reply this complaint. We look forward to your prompt attention to this matter. Faithfully yours, Anita Emil Dispute Counselor
Even the Contact Link on the BBB site warns it is a phishing scam!
They had better do something fast!
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Good afternoon,
Here with the Better Business Bureau would like to inform you that we have been filed a complaint (ID 80730125) from a customer of yours related to their dealership with you.
Please open the COMPLAINT REPORT below to obtain the details on this question and inform us about your position as soon as possible.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Fernando Grodhaus
Dispute Counselor
Better Business Bureau
——————————————————————————–
Council of Better Business Bureaus
4200 Wilson Blvd, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1838
Phone: 1 (703) 276.0100
Fax: 1 (703) 525.8277
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Through my mail preview, I could read that my letter began with:
Re: Case # 446640630255 The Better Business Bureau is contacting you, because one of your clients has recently filed us a letter of claim regarding their business relations with you….”
Because the subject line was simply “Info”, I knew not to open it. I hope others also delete these right away. The BBB uses regular mail for correspondence and only provides forms on-line.
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Consumers nationwide are reporting a new round of phishing email scams using the BBB name and email address, this time targeted at accountants.
This latest scam uses a BBB.org email address in conjunction with the American Institute of CPAs logo and name. The message informs recipients that their CPA license is being terminated due to tax fraud allegations and encourages them to click on a link and reply to the charges. The link leads to a third party website that downloads a virus on to the recipient’s computer.
This email scam primarily targets accountants, but BBB has gotten reports of other professionals receiving the emails. The image below is a sample email.
Steps to take:
Do not reply or click on the link in the email
Forward fake BBB emails to phishing@council.bbb.org
Delete the email
Greg – CBBB
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I got the letter today. I thought twice about opening it because #1, I don’t own a business, #2, I am retired, #3, I don’t live in VA and #4, it was sent to multiple addresses. I came here to this site to enter the complaint number to see what was going on and found your valuable info on this scam. Thank you for publishing your warning on your site. I deleted the email immediately and did not open it.
Thanks again, Gigi
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The funny thing is, I tried to forward one of these e-mails to the phishing address, and it’s rejected due to the mailbox being full. Good times.
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