Never asks for passwords
BBB sometimes reaches out to consumers and businesses; however, BBB will never ask for passwords or information to access your device.
know the real BBB
What BBB will and won't do
No documents up front
BBB will never ask for documentation prior to processing an incoming complaint or review.
No credit repair offers
BBB does not offer credit repair or repayment services.
Not sure? Call BBB back
If you are still determining if it's the BBB calling, tell the caller you will call them back and end the call. Then call the phone number on BBB.org directly.
red flags
What to look for (common red flags)
Suspicious sender address
BBB emails come from addresses ending in @bbb.org. Anything else (Gmail, Outlook, odd domains) is a red flag.
Unexpected complaints
Scammers often claim you have a complaint filed against you or that urgent action is required.
Poor grammar or formatting
Misspellings, awkward language, or inconsistent branding are classic phishing indicators.
Links that don't match
Hover over links; if they don’t point to bbb.org, they’re unsafe.
Attachments you didn't request
PDFs, ZIP files, or Word documents may contain malware.
Urgency or pressure
“Respond immediately” or “Your business is at risk” is a tactic to make you act without thinking.
got a suspicious email?
What to do if you receive an email pretending to be from BBB
If an email claims to be from the BBB but seems suspicious, do not click anything, do not reply, and forward the original email to [email protected] for investigation. This address is only for scams that falsely claim to be from BBB.
What you should do
Stop and verify. Do not click anything.
Forward the original email to [email protected].
Delete the message.
Check your BBB account directly.
Update your security software.
Watch your bank statements.
What you should not do
Do not click links.
Do not open attachments.
Do not reply.
Do not provide perosnal or business information.
Do not trust caller follow-ups.
impostor reports
How scammers have used the BBB name
These are reports BBB has received about scammers posing as BBB. They show the tactics to watch for, by how the scammer made contact.
BBB impostor emails
A scammer impersonated the Better Business Bureau, sending an email claiming a customer had filed a complaint against the recipient's business. The email urged the recipient to review an "appeal report" via a provided link and respond promptly. It included a fake consultant name, contact information, and BBB branding to appear legitimate. This phishing attempt aimed to deceive recipients into clicking the link, likely leading to malware or further scam tactics.
BBB Pacific Southwest has been alerted a scammer has impersonated the likeness of BBB in an effort to give their phishing attempts a sense of legitimacy. In the complex scam, the consumer alleged the impostor initially claimed to be from a reputable company, gained his confidence, and remotely accessed his computer. Through falsified documents and a sense of urgency, the impostor conned the consumer into wiring upwards of $700,000 in several transactions to the scammer. The consumer then began receiving emails from the impostor, now claiming to be Michael Sedio, VP & Chief Operations Officer and General Counsel at BBB, and shifted to an intimidating nature while threatening legal repercussions.
In a recent phishing attempt, a person using the name "Kristie Henreich" alleged that she worked as a BBB Case Manager and sent the email to the victim, "A concerning report has been submitted via our platform, pointing to potential fraudulent activities linked to Disability Network Capital Area. The details are ready for your immediate review. Please investigate this matter urgently. Access the details and respond within 14 calendar days with your explanation. Thank you for your immediate action on this critical issue."
In another phishing attempt, a person using the name "Frank Gonzalez" alleged that he worked within the Compliance Department of BBB Michigan and sent an email to the victim stating that BBB "received a notice of abuse, claiming that your organization is violating the Fair Labor Standards Act." The email also asked that a document be downloaded.
In another recent phishing attempt, a person using the name “Timber Burke” is claiming to be from the Better Business Bureau “Anti-Fraud” Department in New York City. People report getting emails with a letter attached telling them their name and information is being used in connection with fraudulent activity, alerting them to potential ID theft and other issues, and steering them to call this number: (202) 738-1912 The email attachment includes the BBB logo, name, and signature line mimicking that of the BBB serving Metropolitan New York.
A recent phishing email pretends to be from the "compliance department" of BBB and asks for sensitive business information, such as a business license/Articles of Incorporation (or other government-issued certificate), tax documents, operating license, insurance, and other items. If you receive an email like this, do not reply or click on links in this email, and report it to your local BBB.
In another phishing attempt, businesses have been receiving emails from scammers impersonating BBB. These emails ask the business to provide information such as a utility bill, tax documents, or an operating license to validate the business’ legitimacy in order to process an incoming “complaint” or “review”. These emails are coming from a contact under the name “Damini from Better Business Bureau” and with the email address "[email protected]."This is a false contact from a falsified email.
In one, El Paso businesses have received emails claiming their business has received a new BBB complaint and asking users to click through to "Review and sign" a document. The email includes BBB logos and a fake complaint number.
BBB impostor phone calls
BBB also received a report that a BBB Accredited Business received a call from someone spoofing BBB's phone number, telling him they "noticed his credit card balances were high and [the caller] could help bring them down." The business called his local BBB, who informed him that BBB does not offer credit repair or repayment services.
A consumer reported receiving a call from a man identified as John Bauford (Indian accent). He alleged that a woman by the name of Norma Anderson was attempting to use her credit card information. He said to call back at 737-303-4487. The number appeared on her phone as a local number of 231-824-5354.
In a different instance, consumer reported receiving a call from an alleged BBB employee asking if the consumer opened a credit card in Texas. The impostor claimed to be reading the consumer's credit report and mentioned her credit cards and social security number.
An Ohio consumer received a video call on their phone after clicking on a Facebook ad. The consumer had to turn off their phone to stop the call. The call was linked to the email [email protected], and they were asked to join via Google Meet.
A consumer in western Pennsylvania got a phone call from someone who "identified me by my home phone number and then proceeded to say my credit was good and I made payments on time, and he said that I made even higher payments than usual and then he proceeded to say I didn't have to pay my credit cards anymore because he was from the [Better Business Bureau]..."
A consumer reported receiving a call from "David Johnson" who claimed to work for BBB. The caller asked the consumer if they applied for new credit cards recently and requested permission to look at the consumer's credit report. The consumer reported receiving multiple calls from the following numbers: 866-985-0018, 800-945-2000, and 407-573-8702.
The BBB office in Jacksonville reports receiving two calls regarding a scammer claiming to be the BBB, offering credit cards and loans.
A consumer reported to BBB of New Jersey of being harassed by multiple callers claiming to be from the BBB. The consumer stated that "the numbers calling her are from 888-325-0151, 888-408-2010, and [redacted]. The callers' names were Lisa Lawrence, Alan Tracy, Marie Benz, and Ruby Jane." The consumer also reported that the scammers "are telling consumers they offer credit card debt relief through a BBB program." The consumer states, "The more they call; they are leaving more threatening voice messages stating if I don't do this, the government will cancel all of her cards." The impostors requested identity confirmation via social security number and other forms of personal identification.
BBB impostor letters
A consumer reported a person using the name “Steven Smith” claimed to be with the Better Business Bureau, using the BBB Accredited Business seal on a fake letter to con him out of $25,000 in cash, bitcoin and gift cards. The consumer was threatened with legal action if he did not pay. The scammers used the name of a current BBB employee on the letter as well.
Consumers reported receiving letters alleging to be from the BBB instructing consumers to send money to enter into cash sweepstakes. The fraudulent letter contains BBB trademarks such as the BBB name, BBB Torch Logo, and Accredited Business Seal, without authorization.
BBB Accredited Business impostors
In the past, BBBs have received reports from businesses contacted by scam artists posing as BBB Accredited Business PayPal confirming the purchase of a crypto product. The invoice includes the BBB Accredited Business logo and a fake Gmail address.
Another consumer reported, "The Geek Squad sent an email saying they were going to auto-charge me $422.22 for an annual subscription. I called the number in the email to cancel the renewal. They told me I had to fill out a form, which I did. However, when they asked me to click on a specific link on my bank account website, I became suspicious and told them I was going to report a scam. They wouldn’t give up and just kept telling me to go to my bank’s website and click the link. I hung up and deleted the email.”
These are just a few of many impostor schemes in which the BBB brand has been used, and BBB is asking consumers and businesses to report these to BBB Scam Tracker and contact your local BBB to verify any suspicious claims.
Get help from the real BBB
Report a scam
If you think you've been targeted by a BBB impostor, report it to BBB Scam Tracker.
Stay in the know
Visit BBB's Scams HQ to learn more about common scams and ways to prevent falling for one.
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