Media contact: Janet C. Hart, APR, CFEE (704) 927-8617 office
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The BBB system nationwide has been targeted by scammers over the past few months who have sent, and are continuing to send, millions of emails out claiming to be from the 'BBB'.
The emails look real because they contain the BBB's logo.
Many businesses, locally and across the country, report receiving emails from the fake BBB that claim that the business has a complaint to be reviewed or that the BBB needs additonal information on the business.
The email instructs the business to click on a link to review the complaint and respond to it or to provide the information that the BBB needs.
The primary red flags in the emails are:
· The web address for the link in the email does not contain the BBB's domain name - ___.bbb.org
· The grammar in the email is worded awkwardly.
· The address in the email is not from the local BBB that serves their area.
If you receive similar emails, the BBB has this advice:
· Do not click on any links in the email because you could download a virus.
· Forward the email to phishing@council.bbb.org so that the BBB can analyze it to determine where it originated from.
· Delete the email from your inbox and your junk mail and deleted items folders.
· Run your anti-virus software to scan your computer system for viruses that the email may have planted in your computer to find bank account and credit card information.
· Review your bank accounts and credit card statements frequently to check for unauthorized charges.
“We’ve heard from dozens of businesses in the Charlotte area that have received these emails,” said BBB President Tom Bartholomy. “These businesses were suspicious of the emails and deleted them.”
“Now, the BBB is encouraging anyone who receives these emails to not only delete them immediately, but to also run their anti-virus software to scan their computer system for viruses.”
For more information, please call the BBB at (704) 927-8611 or visit www.bbb.org.
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