BBB Warns Against Swine Flu Scams

BBB Warns Against Swine Flu Scams

Scammers are creating their own epidemic of spam e-mails

Toronto, ON – April 30, 2009 – Relying on reports from online security experts, Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be on the lookout for fraudulent e-mails and Web sites trying to take advantage of the current swine flu outbreak.

“Scammers read newspapers, watch TV and surf the Internet and they know that by using a hook from the day’s top headlines, that they’ll be able to catch lots of fish,” said Steve Cox, BBB spokesperson. “Right now, issues associated with swine flu and a potential pandemic are of global interest and that means scammers have a very large pond to go phishing in.”

According to McAfee Avert Labs, an online security company, spammers began pumping out e-mails as soon as the first accounts of swine flu were being reported in the news, accounting for two percent of all spam messages. The messages include such subject lines as, “Madonna caught swine flu!” and “Swine flu in Hollywood!” The company reports that the e-mails do not contain malware but often link to online pharmacies.

According to F-Secure Corp., another online security company, more than 250 Web sites with the term “swine flu” have been registered within the first few days following the announcement of the outbreak and predict that the scams artists are preparing to use such Web sites in a variety of different online scams. F-Secure also reports that one Web site is already selling a “Swine Flu Survival Guide” PDF for $19.95.

“In some cases the mention of swine flu in the email subject line is just intended to catch your attention so you will visit the sender’s website, which may or may not have anything to do with the flu. In other more dangerous cases the sender may hope to trick you into opening an attachment that may be infected with a computer virus or into providing them with your personal and financial information. Still others may want to dupe you into sending them money for worthless or non-existent products. You should always exercise caution and skepticism when dealing with unsolicited email and online offers.” explained Doug Simpson, President and CEO of the Canadian Council of Better Business Bureaus.

BBB offers the following advice to avoid swine flu scams:

· Avoid opening e-mail from an unknown source and do not click on any links in the body of the e-mail or open any attachments. Instead, delete the e-mail.

· Make sure your anti-virus and anti-spyware software is up to date and all operating system security patches have been installed.

· Don’t believe online offers for vaccinations against swine flu because a vaccine does not exist.

· For reliable information on swine flu, updates on progress in fighting the outbreak and advice on what you can do to protect yourself go to the Public Health Agency of Canada website at: http://www.nml-lnm.gc.ca/index-eng.htm

For media inquiries please contact:

Doug Simpson, President and CEO
Canadian Council of Better Business Bureaus
Phone: (416) 644-4936