Edmonton, AB – October 27, 2008 – Better Business Bureau is alerting consumers and businesses about a phishing scheme that uses both e-mail messages and blog posts directing recipients and viewers to register software with BBB. BBB wants the public to know that such messages and posts are not coming from any element of the BBB System, and that this attack has not affected BBB computer systems or networks nor has any data been comprised.

Reports to BBB indicate that businesses began receiving bogus messages yesterday, requiring them to “register new software and update contact information” with BBB, and provided a link for the process. In investigating the attack, BBB also discovered phony “notices” and postings on various blogs being used as additional tactic to reach victims.

“The messages and posts are most likely 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,” said Chris Lawrence, CEO of BBB Serving Central and Northern Alberta. “Anyone receiving an e-mail or viewing a blog requiring the registration of software with BBB should not click on any links or in any way respond to the message, because doing so may allow harmful viruses or spyware to enter the recipient’s computer or network.”

Following is a copy of an actual e-mail associated with this phishing scheme:

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Better Business Bureaus Account Service" <provisor670@bbb.org>
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:04:22 +0000

Attention Better Business Bureaus Consumers!

We've enhanced web surfing process with new security measures to keep your online data and personal information safer.
All registered and new BBB consumers must register new software and update contact information until October 24, 2008.
Please read the following information carefully:

Register your BBB company certificate here>>>Link

As always, we appreciate your business. And thank you for working with us.

Sincerely, Sherry Hopper.
2008 Council of Better Business Bureaus

BBB has determined that there are a number of addresses and subject lines being used in to perpetrate the e-mail element of the attack. Following is a representative sample of actual address and subject lines used in this attack.

· Address: “Better Business Bureaus Service Center " provisor399@bbb.org

· Subject Line: Council of Better Business Bureaus - We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you

· Address: "Better Business Bureaus Update" provisor633@bbb.org

· Subject Line: Better Business Bureaus, Attention: Protecting your personal information

· Address: Better Business Bureaus Support Center provisor062@bbb.org

· Subject Line: Better Business Bureaus, Attention: Shred unwanted documents that contain personal information.

The phishing scheme is also appearing on multiple blog sites. Following is a representative example of the type message BBB research and investigation has discovered on a number of blog sites.

“We've enhanced web surfing process with new security measures to keep your online data and personal information safer.
All registered and new BBB consumers must register new software and update contact information until October 24, 2008.”

Please read the following information carefully>>>Link

BBB is advising consumers and businesses to take the following precautions and actions to steer clear of this phishing attack and to protect their computer systems and networks.

• Anyone receiving an e-mail similar to those described should not open the message, not click on any links, or respond to the message – the message is not from any entity affiliated with BBB. Opening or viewing a preview of the e-mail, or clicking on the link within the e-mail, could enable a discreet download of a virus or spyware.
• Report receipt of any such messages. BBB is working with the U.S. Secret Service's Electronic Crimes Task Force (ECTF) to address phishing issues using the BBB name. BBB has established an e-mail address - phishing@council.bbb.org – people can use to forward the message to, thereby reporting the incident to BBB and the ECTF.
• The public can view updates and the latest information on the phishing attack on the BBB Web site at the Security and Alerts Web page at http://www.bbb.org/securityalerts.

This consumer tip is provided by BBB Serving Cental and Northern Alberta. Click here for more consumer tips.

BBB is warning senior citizens to be aware of an emerging telephone scam that is preying on grandparents across North America.

BBB has recently received reports about grandparents in Canada who thought they were aiding their grandchildren by providing money for an emergency situation but were in fact giving thousands of dollars to Canadian con artists.

Generally, the scam works like this – the grandparent receives a distressed phone call from who they believe is their grandchild.

The supposed grandchild typically explains that they are traveling in Canada and have been arrestedor involved in an auto accident and need the grandparent to wire money to post bail or pay for damages—usually amounting to a few thousand dollars.

While many seniors have reported the scam without falling prey to it, unfortunately, many others have been victimized. One well-meaning grandmother sent $15,000 to scammers, thinking she was helping a grandchild who had been in an auto accident.

“This scam preys on the emotions of seniors who want to help their grandchildren,” says Chris Lawrence, CEO of BBB Serving Central and Northern Alberta. “We want people to take a step back when they are called, and verify who they are speaking to is a relative and not a scamster.”

The scammers’ basic tactic is to pose as a grandchild and let the unsuspecting grandparent fill in the blanks. For example, the scam caller might say, “It’s me, your favorite grandchild,” to which the grandparent will guess the name of the grandchild it sounds the most like, and then the call proceeds from there.

To protect themselves from this scam, BBB would like to offer the following information:

Confirm identity.

BBB is advising seniors to confirm the status of the individual by calling them directly or verifying the story with other family members before taking any further action.

Wiring money is a red flag.

BBB also advises that any request to wire money through Western Union or MoneyGram should be seen as a “red flag” and an immediate tip-off that the call may be part of a scam. Funds sent via wire transfer are hard to track once received by scammers and are usually not recoverable by law enforcement or banking officials.

If you are a victim report it.

For anyone victimized by this type of distressed loved-one call, BBB recommends reporting the incident immediately to local police departments and contact Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre’s PhoneBusters, a hotline and Web site to report such fraud. Reports can be filed easily online through the PhoneBusters site at: www.phonebusters.com, or by phone, toll free at, 1-888-495-8501.

This consumer tip is provided by BBB Serving Cental and Northern Alberta. Click here for more consumer tips.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is warning taxpayers to beware of a recent scam where some Canadians are receiving a letter fraudulently identified as coming from the CRA and asking for personal information. The letter is not from the CRA. A PDF version of the letter is available on the CRA Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/alert.

The letter claims that there is “insufficient information” for the individual’s tax return and that in order to receive any “claims,” they will have to update their records. The letter attaches a form specifically requesting the individual’s personal information in writing, via fax or email, including information on bank accounts and passports. This letter is not from the CRA and Canadians should not provide their personal information to the sender.

All taxpayers should be vigilant when divulging any confidential information to third parties. The CRA has well established practices to protect the confidentiality of taxpayers’ information. 

The CRA has notified the proper law enforcement authorities of this scam.

For information about this and other similar scams, or to report deceptive telemarketing activity, visit www.phonebusters.com, send an email to info@phonebusters.com, or call 1-888-495-8501.

BBB Serving Central and Northern Alberta has an extensive list of Consumer Tips, many of which link to a list of our Accredited Businesses that provides the related product or service you’re looking for.

If you live in central and northern Alberta and looking for consumer tips, before you

• Hire a contractor for home renovations
• Have your car or truck repaired
• Buy a new or used vehicle, furniture for your home, a new computer
• Purchase online

Maybe you’re buying a home, moving, planning a vacation or getting married.

BBB Serving Central and Northern Alberta has an extensive list of Consumer Tips, many of which link to a list of our Accredited Businesses that provides the related product or service you’re looking for.

To further help you to buy with trust, we also provide information about current scams.

Are you a consumer champion? Albertans are invited to put their best work forward and send in submissions to the third Alberta Consumer Champion Awards. The awards recognize those who demonstrate commitment and innovation in educating consumers and promoting fairness in the Alberta marketplace.

“The Alberta Consumer Champion Awards recognize real champions - those Albertans who have demonstrated excellence in promoting fairness in the province’s marketplace,” said Heather Klimchuk, Minister of Service Alberta. “We encourage everyone in the province who has gone above and beyond to advocate for consumers, or who knows an individual or organization who has done so, to send in a submission.”

This year’s awards include a new youth consumer poster competition that encourages youth aged 15 to 18 to learn about consumer issues affecting them in the marketplace and gives them a chance to become eligible for awards of $1000, $500 or $250. The youth category is one of five awards categories: non-profit organizations; industry and trade associations; businesses; and media.

In addition to the five awards categories, the Minister’s Award is presented annually to recognize an individual’s long-term contributions to a fair and just Alberta marketplace.

Deadline for submissions is November 28. The award ceremony will be held in March 2009. Eligibility and judging criteria, guidelines and submission criteria can be found online at:www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/Consumer_Info.cfm