Gerry Bellett
Sun
The Better Business Bureau has issued a warning about phoney e-mails and blog posts that target consumers and businesses, asking them to register for software using the BBB’s name.
BBB president and CEO Lynda Pasacreta said the messages and posts are part of a “large-scale ‘phishing‘ scam leveraging the trusted nature of the BBB name to entice recipients and bloggers to open messages and access attachments or links.” She said anyone receiving such e-mails or reading blogs requiring an update of contact information and the registration of software with the BBB shouldn’t click on any part of the link or respond to the message, as it would likely allow viruses or spyware to enter their computer.
“The attack has not affected BBB computer systems or networks nor has any data been compromised,” Pasacreta said in a news release.
She said anyone receiving such messages should not open them but forward them to [email protected]. They will be transmitted to the U.S. Secret Service electronic crimes task force, which is investigating the matter.
She said the public can go to the BBB security page at www.bbb.org/securityalerts for updates on the phishing attack. People can also call the BBB at 604-682-2711 for information if they are unsure about any purported BBB e-mails or e-mail [email protected]
© The Vancouver Sun 2008
