Media Contact
Felicia Overton, Director of Marketing & Community Relations
Office: 602-212-2237, foverton@arizonabbb.org
Scam uses the "BBB" Name to Attract Victims
UPDATE –Phoenix, AZ,
March 1, 2007 - The Better Business Bureau System warns all businesses
across the United States and Canada of a spoofing scam using the BBB
name and a false BBB e-mail address to entice recipients to access
potentially damaging hyperlinks.
In February, a firm had its
computer system hacked and that firm's system generated thousands of
counterfeit messages to businesses and consumers, purporting to be a
complaint filed with the BBB. Recently, another firm was hacked and
similar emails have been received by businesses across the country.
The attack has NOT
affected the computer system of any BBB nor have any of their data been
compromised. As with most other phishing attacks, the perpetrators have
attempted to pose as a respected business to gain the confidence of
phishing victims. The BBB is working with authorities to thwart these
malicious attacks.
The most recent e-mail has a false return address of consumer-complaints@bbb.org
and a phishing hyperlink citing a BBB complaint case number, for
example, "DOCUMENTS FOR CASE #BBA749BED0". These links actually direct
access to a subdirectory of the hacked firm's website where users are
asked to download documents related to the complaint. The download is
actually an executable file that is believed to be some form of a
computer virus.
All recipients are advised that any e-mail from the consumer-complaints@bbb.org
address is not coming from any BBB and should be considered
counterfeit. The BBB strongly encourages recipients of any such message
to delete the message immediately without clicking on the "DOCUMENTS
FOR CASE" links.
The phishing e-mail return address of consumer-complaints@bbb.org
does not exist and is being "spoofed." Spoofing occurs when an e-mail
address is altered to appear as if the message originated from a
legitimate source. This is a common practice for both spam e-mail and
phishing operations.
Phishing is a term coined by computer
hackers, who use e-mail to fish the Internet hoping to "hook"
recipients into giving their logins, passwords and/or other sensitive
information. In all these scams, the phisher first impersonates a
legitimate company. In a typical scam, the phisher instructs recipients
to click on a convenient link to receive or provide information that
can then be used by phishers to access the recipient's sensitive
personal or business information. For more information about phishing
and for tips to avert other scams, please visit www.arizonabbb.org.
An
actual example of the false e-mail message is provided below. Names and
other forms of identifying information have been removed from the
example.
REPRESENTATIVE E-MAIL SAMPLE
From: consumer-complaints@bbb.org [mailto:consumer-complaints@bbb.org]
Sent: Thursday, March 1, 2007 6:06 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: BBB Complaint for XXXXXXX - Case #BBA749BED0
Dear Mr./Mrs. XXXX
You have received a complaint in regards to your business services. The complaint was filled by Mr. XXXX on 02/28/2007/
Use the link below to view the complaint details:
DOCUMENTS FOR CASE #BBA749BED0
Complaint Case Number: BBA749BED0
Complaint Made by Consumer Mr. XXXX
Complaint Registered Against: Company XXXX
Date: 02/28/2007
Instructions on how to resolve this complaint as well as a copy of the original complaint can be obtained using the link below:
DOCUMENTS FOR CASE #BBA749BED0
Disputes
involving consumer products and/or services may be arbitrated. Unless
they directly relate to the contract that is the basis of this dispute,
the following claims will be considered for arbitration only if all
parties agree in writing that the arbitrator may consider them:
- Claims based on product liability;
- Claims for personal injuries;
- Claims that have been resolved by a previous court action, arbitration, or written agreement between the parties.
The decision as to whether your dispute or any part of it can be arbitrated rests solely with the BBB.
The
BBB offers its members a binding arbitration service for disputes
involving marketplace transactions. Arbitration is a convenient,
civilized way to settle disputes quickly and fairly, without the costs
associated with other legal options.