Today’s scam of the day is another one that comes directly from my own email box. This scam is almost exactly like previous Better Business Bureau complaint scam letters that I warned you about on November 14th and December 8th, however, because the scam continues to multiply I thought it would be prudent to warn you about this scam again. Below is a copy of the email. The email appears to be an official communication from the BBB. In it I was instructed to respond to the complaint allegations which were represented as being contained in an attachment to the email and told that my response must be received in two days. Of course, anyone receiving such an email would be concerned unless they knew that the email was a scam. If I had clicked on the link, I would have downloaded a keystroke logging program on to my computer that would have stolen all of the sensitive information from my computer including passwords, credit card numbers and other sensitive data that would have resulted in me becoming a victim of identity theft. You will note that the email was addressed to Owner/Manager rather than naming anyone which is a clear indication that the email is phony. As with the previous email, this one also did not have any logo for the Better Business Bureau in the email. However most telling was that in the line of the email where it showed to whom the email was directed. It had three other people in addition to myself receiving the same email even though the subject line referred to my own “specific” case. In addition, the list of people to whom the email was sent was in alphabetical order and all beginning with “steven” as does my email. It was obvious that an alphabetical list of emails was used to send out the phony complaint email and that it was as phony as a three dollar bill.
“Owner/Manager
The Better Business Bureau has received the above-referenced complaint from one of your customers regarding their dealings with you. The details of the consumer’s concern are included on the reverse. Please review this matter and advise us of your position.
As a neutral third party, the Better Business Bureau can help to resolve the matter. Often complaints are a result of misunderstandings a company wants to know about and correct.
In the interest of time and good customer relations, please provide the BBB with written verification of your position in this matter by January 15, 2013. Your prompt response will allow BBB to be of service to you and your customer in reaching a mutually agreeable resolution. Please inform us if you have contacted your customer directly and already resolved this matter.
The Better Business Bureau develops and maintains Reliability Reports on companies across the United States and Canada . This information is available to the public and is frequently used by potential customers. Your cooperation in responding to this complaint becomes a permanent part of your file with the Better Business Bureau. Failure to promptly give attention to this matter may be reflected in the report we give to consumers about your company.
We encourage you to print this complaint (attached file), answer the questions and respond to us.
We look forward to your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
BBB Serving Metropolitan New York, Long Island and the Mid-Hudson Region”
TIPS
As I indicated above, there are ample clues, including that the email was directed to “owner/manager,” that it did not have the logo of the Better Business Bureau on the email and perhaps most telling, that the email supposedly about a specific complaint was sent to four different people whose email addresses all began with the same six letters. The most important thing to remember is to never download anything unless you are absolutely sure that the email is legitimate. If I had clicked on the attachment in this email, the results would have been disastrous. If you ever receive an email that asks you to click on an attachment that you might consider is legitimate, call the real company that it is supposed to be from to inquire as to the legitimacy and, of course, don’t call them at a number that might be provided in the email. Call at a number that you have verified is accurate.