Phony BBB Email Circulates Again - This Time Targeting Accountants
The BBB has issued numerous warnings about a malicious e-mail that continues to circulate in BBB's name, but the scammers have added a new twist to this scheme by targeting accountants.
Specifically, accountants – and even some businesses that aren’t in that industry - are receiving emails from a bbb.org address that contains the American Institute of CPA's name and logo. The message informs recipients that their CPA license is being terminated due to tax fraud allegations and encourages them to click on a link and reply to the charges. The link leads to a third party website that downloads a virus on to the recipient's computer.
The BBB also continues to receive calls from local businesses that have received a suspicious e-mail coming from a variety of addresses, such as risk@bbb.org, service@bbb.org, or risk.manager@bbb.org with the subject line "BBB Service Re: Complaint #" followed by an eight to nine-digit number. Both BBB Accredited and non-Accredited businesses have been targeted.
Because these messages are malicious and fraudulent, BBB advises any business that receives these e-mails to take the following steps:
- Do not click on any links and do not reply to the message,
- Forward the message to phishing@council.bbb.org,
- Completely delete the message from your inbox, and
- Run a full virus scan on your computer if you clicked on any links.
If you receive any e-mails from BBB about a complaint filed against your business and need assistance in determining whether or not it is legitimate, contact your BBB directly at 901-759-1300.
For more advice on how to protect your business from malicious online attacks and data breaches visit www.bbb.org/data-security/
View a copy of the phony email
About BBB
BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free business BBB Reliability ReportsTM and national charity BBB Wise Giving ReportsTM, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust, BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is difference in viewpoints. The first BBB was founded in 1912. Today, 125 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than 3 million local and national businesses and charities. Please visit www.bbb.org for more information about BBB.
BBB Contact:
Nancy Crawford
901.757.8627
901.213.7809
ncrawford@bbbmidsouth.org
