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Better Business Bureau issues virus warning

By
Real Estate Agent with SANDALS REALTY GROUP, INC

If an official-looking email claims BBB received a complaint about you, it's likely fake and downloads a computer virus.

ALERT Malicious Complaint Email Claiming It’s From BBB

BBB Image

 

Better Business Bureau is issuing an urgent SCAM alert cautioning businesses and consumers about an email that looks like it is from BBB, with the subject line “Complaint from your customers.” This e-mail is fraudulent; ignore its contents and delete it immediately. If you have already clicked on a link in the e-mail, run a full virus scan of your computer.

The e-mails have return addresses that BBB does not use (one example is riskmanager@bbb.org) and it is signed with the address of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, the national office of the BBB system. The e-mail contains a link to a non-BBB web site. Do NOT click on the link.

BBB is working with law enforcement to determine its source and stop the fraudulent campaign.

Read Full Report:

http://www.bbb.org/us/article/alert-scam-email-claims-its-from-bbb-30916

Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Shelda, thanks for posting this. I already received one and had the presence of mind to call the number at the bottom before clicking on anything. The recording said there was a scam going around.

Sharon

Jan 03, 2012 02:36 PM
Sophia Lin
Intero Real Estate Services - Sunnyvale, CA
Sunnyvale CA Real Estate Specialist

Thank you Shelda for the "heads up", gosh why do people do those kinds of things, wish they'd put their time into something more useful!

Jan 03, 2012 02:42 PM
Gwynn Carpenter
Gwynn Teal Carpenter-Broker: Home and Hearth Realty (Austin) - Austin, TX
: Broker, Home & Hearth Realty (512)467-6191

Shelda:  I unfortunately just received that virus laden spam email...checked it out with the BBB and was given an address to send it to for them to investigate further - keep spreading the word about these slimy balls!!

Jan 03, 2012 03:32 PM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Goodness...we must stay alert at all times for these scams. Thanks for the heads up!

Jan 03, 2012 03:59 PM
Jo Olson
HOMEFRONT Realty - Kettle Falls, WA
Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt

I am so sick and tired of all these scams and viruses!  Thanks for the alert on this one!

Jan 03, 2012 04:16 PM
Robert Hammerstein -
Christie's International Real Estate - Hillsdale, NJ
Bergen County NJ Real Estate

Showed up in our spam folder the other day. Never click on these type of emails.... no matter...... Thanks for sharing this

Jan 03, 2012 04:20 PM
Anthony Daniels
Coldwell Banker - San Francisco, CA
SF Bay Area REO Specialist

Considering how lame the BBB is, I can't imagine THAT virus spreading too far and wide.

Either way, it's still a good post.

Thanks for sharing it.

Jan 03, 2012 04:27 PM
Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

Thanks for the heads up. Haven't received anything like that. Got to be careful these days. 

Jan 03, 2012 04:37 PM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Shelda, thanks for letting us know about this virus.  I will pass the info along to my database.

Jan 03, 2012 05:43 PM
Catherine Ulrey
Keller Williams Capital City - Salem, OR
Equestrian and Acreage Property Specialist

the virus scams are getting better!  Certainly more clever.

Jan 03, 2012 06:57 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Wow, that is pretty bad.  I'm so glad you warned us.  I can see so many well meaning and innocent businesses opening up that email.

Jan 03, 2012 10:08 PM
Phil Leng
Retired - Kirkland, WA
Phil Leng - Retired

Hi Shelda,

Thanks for the heads up on this newest threat to the safety and security of our computers.

Appreciate it

Phil

Jan 03, 2012 10:12 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Thanks for the heads up.  Haven't received this one yet, but it's only a matter of time.

Jan 03, 2012 10:30 PM
Greg Gillespie
GumTree Realty / Genesis Realty Services,Inc - Tupelo, MS
CRS / Broker Owner

Shelia,

Thank you for keeping us updated

 

Greg G

Jackson TN

Jan 03, 2012 11:18 PM
Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA
Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD
301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

There is no such a thing as an official looking email. .if its official. .is coming in regular mail. .just sayin'

Jan 03, 2012 11:58 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Shelda, thanks for the heads up. Its always good to look at the email address to see where the email is really coming from. Thanks.

Jan 04, 2012 12:42 AM
Mark Delgado
houses for rent, Solano County & Glen Cove - Benicia, CA
Benicia and Vallejo, Property Management, rental h

I received this warning email from the BBB also. I'm glad that the BBB is on top of things and responsible enough to warn us all of what is going on. 

Jan 04, 2012 12:55 AM
Mike Woods
M.S.WOODS REAL ESTATE, LLC - Indianapolis, IN

We got quite a few of those e-mails at my office. Thanks for the heads up!

Jan 04, 2012 01:43 AM
Shelda Hodges Author & Realtor
SANDALS REALTY GROUP, INC - West Palm Beach, FL
It's your journey. We will hold your hands

I agree. Those individuals should find constructive things to do & be contributors to society.

Jan 04, 2012 02:38 AM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Hi Shelda,  Ironically, the comment below one of your replies is a hack from some knucklehead: " my roomate's aunt makes $83/hr on the laptop. She has been without work for 8 months but last month her pay was $8682 just working on the laptop for a few hours. Read more on this site..XXXXX.CCC"   Where does it end !?!?

Jan 04, 2012 03:48 AM