BBB warns of new phishing scheme

A 10/16/2009 BBB alert warned of a new phishing e-mail posing as BBB complaint confirmation:

Beware of Bogus Emails coming from complaintsmajdivision@complaints.bbb.org

Better Business Bureau is alerting consumers and businesses about a new phishing attack that resembles an e-mail confirmation claiming the recipient has filed a complaint with BBB about a business. The malicious e-mails first came to the attention of BBB on Thursday, October 15.

When consumers file a complaint with BBB about a business, they may often receive a confirmation e-mail and subsequent follow-up e-mails from BBB on the status of their complaint. The malicious phishing e-mail attack is designed to mimic a confirmation e-mail from BBB and includes the full name of the recipient and the name of the company they supposedly filed a complaint about.

According to reports to BBB, individuals who have received this e-mail have not actually filed a complaint with BBB but are, instead, employed by the business the e-mail claims they have filed a complaint about.”

I highly recommend you read the rest of the BBB information about this phishing e-mail scheme here which shows a sample of the letter and suggests what you should do about it.

Federal Financial Regulators Issue Revised Identity Theft Brochure

December 22, 2008 Federal Reserve Press Release:

The federal bank, credit union, and thrift regulatory agencies today announced publication of a revised identity theft brochure–You Have the Power to Stop Identity Theft–to assist consumers in preventing and resolving identity theft.

The updated brochure focuses primarily on Internet “phishing” by describing how phishing works, offering ways to protect against identity theft, and detailing steps to follow for victims of identity theft.

The brochure includes contact information for three major credit bureaus, where to report suspicious e-mails, and where to access additional information.

The brochure is attached and is available to download from the websites of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, National Credit Union Administration, and Office of Thrift Supervision.

You Have the Power to Stop Identity Theft

Media Contacts:
Federal Reserve Susan Stawick 202-452-2955
FDIC David Barr 202-898-6992
OCC Dean DeBuck 202-874-5770
OTS William Ruberry 202-906-6913
NCUA Cherie Umbel 703-518-6331

Last update: December 22, 2008