Better Business Bureaus

The email claiming to be from Better Business Bureaus and instructing you how to resolve an alleged complaint appears to be a phishing scam. Phishing e-mails are e-mails from scam artists who use official looking webpages designed to trick you into believing they are from a corporate website that you have an account with. Once you are at the site, they will ask you to provide or verify personal information such as bank account information, credit card information, social security information and password information. If you get such an e-mail, you should delete it and do not provide any of the requested information. Here are excerpts from a warning notice about the phishing scam on the actual Better Business Bureaus website:

BBB Issues Alert for Phishing Attack Targeting Thousands of Businesses and Consumers Scam uses the “BBB” Name to Attract Victims For Immediate Release

Arlington, VA, February 13, 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. [ . . . ]

The e-mail has a false return address of operations@bbb.org and a phishing hyperlink citing a BBB complaint case number, for example, "DOCUMENTS FOR CASE #263621205". 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 operations@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 operations@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. [ . . . ]

However, if you are not convinced that you have a fraudulent e-mail, please contact Better Business Bureaus directly and explain the e-mail you received. If you give out any personal information, it may be wise to take measures to protect against identity theft (e.g. contact credit agencies, close accounts, cleanse computer). Many e-mail solicitations that appear to be phishing e-mails are set forth throughout this website and below:

Better Business Bureaus

Dear Mr./Mrs. XXXXXXX

You have received a complaint in regards to your business services. The complaint was filled by Mr. Christopher Smith on 5/14/2007

Complaint Case Number: 705697108
Complaint Made by Consumer Mr. Christopher Smith
Complaint Registered Against: XXXXXXXXXXXX
Date: 5/14/2007
Instructions on how to resolve this complaint as well as a copy of the original complaint are attached to this email.

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.

© 2003 Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The information provided on this website is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.

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From:	"Better Business Bureaus" <operations@bbb.org>
Subject:	Complaint Case Number 705697108
Date:	16 May 2007 16:08:56 -0500

Phishing Scam E-mails

Better Business Bureaus