Better Business Bureaus across the nation are warning consumers about a new twist in the ongoing BBB phishing scam. Consumers now are reporting receiving phone calls —in addition to emails—from scammers claiming to be from BBB.

Those scammers—calling from (858)102-3252—are offering help removing a virus from the recipient's computer, after claiming the computer was infected when the owner downloaded a virus from an email scam using the BBB name.

“BBB is cautioning consumers not to give out any personal information to callers or to install or download any software they recommend,” said Michael Coil, president/CEO of the BBB of Northern Indiana.

Since late November, many consumers and business owners nationwide have received phishing emails appearing to be from a BBB.org email address. These emails inform the recipient of a non-existent BBB complaint against their business and encourage them to respond. In a newer take on the scam, emails urge the recipient to update their information with BBB by completing an on-line form. All emails either contain an attachment or a link to a third-party website, both of which download a virus on to the recipient's computer.

Should you receive a suspicious email, don't click on any links. You can test the links by using your mouse to hover over them. The destination of the links will appear in a small pop-up box next to the link or at the bottom of the screen. If the email is a scam, the website shown will not be a BBB.org URL.

1/27/2012