(WHAS11) (WHAS11) Our Consumer Watch takes a look back at the top scam of 2011, according to the Better Business Bureau. It was a scam that used the B.B.B.'s good name to fool customers.
Good Morning Kentuckiana's Andy Treinen explains.
The folks at the Better Business Bureau called this one "hell on wheels" for its staff, and it hit the day before Thanksgiving. That's the day they started getting calls from both companies and individuals, claiming they got an e-mail from the B.B.B.; that e-mail was actually a phishing scam not sent by the Better Business Bureau.
"Hundreds of thousands of people received them all across the country. We have investigators on it, with our council. Federal agents are on it trying to find out who's behind it," said Reanna Smith-Hamblin of the Better Business Bureau.
Smith-Hamblin says they're not convinced the scam is over; it re-surfaced here late in December in a slightly different form. Here’s how it works:
The e-mails are not from the B.B.B., although they have its logo and Better Business Bureau information. It asks companies and individuals to click on a link or attachment for more information. For the record, the B.B.B. does not send e-mails containing links.
"This attachment, or link, was a malicious virus and it was tearing up people's computers. We had some people who called that very irate over it," said Smith-Hamblin.
If you have a tip for Andy's consumer segment, send him an email to consumerwatch@whas11.com.
