Fraudulent Email Abuses Better Business Bureau's Reputable Name

BBB Urges Consumers to Report Suspicious E-mails.

Recent emails claiming to be from the Better Business Bureau are fraud; they want consumers to be aware. Salem-News.com

(LAKE OSWEGO, Ore.) - Internet shoppers beware! A new e-mail scam is circulating, using your Better Business Bureau’s name to gain false credibility and collect new customers under false pretenses.

These days, deceitful Internet sellers will go to great lengths to secure business; they will even manufacture a fake e-mail pretending to be from your BBB.

Touting non-existent terms like ‘BBB Protection Program,’ ‘BBB Purchase Protection Program’ and ‘BBB Customer Support, Purchase Protection Program,’ the e-mail’s intent is clear: Trick the recipient into thinking that the e-mail was authored by BBB.

Local consumers have contacted your Better Business Bureau unnerved by the deception.

The most recent version of a BBB fraudulent e-mail is below.

“BBB Accredited Businesses are honest and ethical businesses that commit to trustworthy marketplace behavior,” said Robert. W.G. Andrew, CEO of BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington. “Fraudulent businesses will often use BBB’s name without permission and falsely claim accreditation with BBB to try and make consumers trust them.”

BBB advises consumers to be cautious:

* Do research on the company or the seller before making a purchase. Be skeptical if your search yields negative results.

* Beware of dishonest businesses that claim false affiliation with BBB. Always check their BBB Reliability Report at www.bbb.org or contact BBB by phone to verify BBB Accreditation. If a company is not BBB Accredited, but claims to be, do business elsewhere.

* BBB asks anyone who receives this e-mail, or a similar one, to report it to BBB immediately at 800.216.2227 or e-mail info@thebbb.org.

Scammers often claim affiliation or use the names of banks, government entities and other legitimate organizations to trick consumers. Fake e-mails are usually designed to harm your computer: Avoid clicking on active links or opening attachments on e-mails that appear fraudulent or come from a sender you don’t know. Report suspicious e-mails to the FBI at the Internet Crime Complaint Center: www.ic3.gov.

Source: BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington