BBB Issues Warning About Scam Emails

If you own a computer, chances are you could be baited — hook, line, and sinker. The Connecticut Better Business Bureau has issued a warning about a very deceiving email scam known as phishing.

The US Department of Justice just came out with a special report on what is known as phishing, which is actually a new wave of online scams designed to rob you blind. Phishing creates a replica of an existing website to fool a user into submitting personal, financial, and password data. Many Connecticut email users may have already fallen victim and not even know it. The goal is identity theft.

“It looks very official. A popup may come up asking you to enter your account number, mother’s maiden name, etc,” said CT BBB President Paulette Hotton. In this example, it may look very real as if it is coming from a bank or utility you already do business with.

The Better Business Bureau has been informed that companies like Citibank, AT&T, eBay, and AOL customers are all being targeted by these very real appearing emails asking them to verify personal account information.

The problem is growing so fast that as a precaution the BBB offers the following protection advice.

Be aware of scam emails. They may appear to be from a trusted business but are designed to trick you into divulging personal information.

Do not reply to any email that requests personal information.

Do not send sensitive personal or financial information unless its encrypted on a secure website. Regular emails are not encrypted and are equivalent of sending a postcard that anyone can read.

Do business only with companies you know and trust.

If you remain unsure, call the company and verify that they have asked for the information.

For more information visit the BBB news alert website www.bbbonline.org/idtheft/phishing.asp for the latest updates.