a compass with the words chance, success, risk and failure on the face
Robert L. Weiner: Nonprofit Fundraising Technology Consulting

Lame spam of the day: BBB service Re: Case # (various numbers)

by 23 Comments

I got 7 versions of this today, at 2 different email addresses.  They included an attachment called bbb_logo.jpg but no graphics in the message body.  A friend posted about them on a listserve and said that clicking the link downloads a virus.

This scam has been around for a while.  Here’s an article about a similar batch in 2007.

Version 1:

Sender: ::Better Business Bureau:: (support@bbb.org)
Subject: BBB service Re: Case # 87348414

Text: Attn: Owner/Manager
The Better Business Bureau has been sent the above mentioned complaint from one of your associates on the subject of their business relations with you.
The details of the consumer’s concern are included in attached file.
Please examine this issue and notify us of your opinion.
Please click here to respond this complaint. (The “click here” link leads to http://38.106.32.183/09d78c/index.html)

We look forward to your prompt reply.

Sincerely,
Roland Dani
Better Business Bureau
________________________________________
Council of Better Business Bureaus
4200 Wilson Blvd, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1838
Phone: 1 (703) 276.0100
Fax: 1 (703) 525.8277

Version 2:

Same sender

Subject: Re: BBB Case # 31889235

Text:
Attn: Owner/Manager
The Better Business Bureau has been filed the above mentioned complaint from one of your associates in respect of their dealings with you.
The details of the consumer’s concern are included in enclosed file.
Please give attention to this case and advise us of your standpoint.
We kindly ask you to click here to answer this complaint. (The “click here” link leads to the same link as above – http://38.106.32.183/09d78c/index.html).

We look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely yours,
Louis Gerald
Better Business Bureau
________________________________________
Council of Better Business Bureaus
4200 Wilson Blvd, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1838
Phone: 1 (703) 276.0100
Fax: 1 (703) 525.8277

Version 3:

same sender

Subject: Re: Case # 23378891
Text:
Attn: Owner/Manager
The Better Business Bureau has received the above-referenced complaint from one of your customers on the subject of their dealings with you.
The details of the consumer’s concern are presented in enclosed document.
Please examine this problem and let us know about your point of view.
We kindly ask you to click here to reply this complaint. (The “click here” link leads to http://rashidyounus.com/a40d6b/index.html).

We look forward to your urgent reply.

Sincerely yours,
Stacie Nieves
Better Business Bureau
________________________________________
Council of Better Business Bureaus
4200 Wilson Blvd, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1838
Phone: 1 (703) 276.0100
Fax: 1 (703) 525.8277

Version 4:

same sender again, but a different subject

Subject: BBB Complaint activity report
Text:
Hello,
The Better Business Bureau has got the above-referenced complaint from one of your clients in respect of their dealings with you.
The detailed information about the consumer’s concern is explained in attached document.
Please review this problem and notify us of your standpoint.
We kindly ask you to click here to answer this complaint. (The “click here” link leads to http://queplacer.com/393304/index.html)

We look forward to your prompt attention to this matter.

Faithfully yours,
Louis Gerald
Better Business Bureau
________________________________________

Council of Better Business Bureaus
4200 Wilson Blvd, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1838
Phone: 1 (703) 276.0100
Fax: 1 (703) 525.8277

Version 5:
Sender: ::Better Business Bureau:: (info@bbb.org)
Subject: BBB Complaint activity report
Text:
Dear Sirs,
The Better Business Bureau has received the above mentioned complaint from one of your customers on the subject of their business relations with you.
The details of the consumer’s concern are presented in enclosed file.
Please review this question and notify us of your opinion.
Please click here to answer this complaint. (The “click here” link leads to http://38.106.32.183/09d78c/index.html)

We look forward to your prompt reply.

Sincerely yours,
Paula Tap
Better Business Bureau
________________________________________

Council of Better Business Bureaus
4200 Wilson Blvd, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1838
Phone: 1 (703) 276.0100
Fax: 1 (703) 525.8277

Version 6:
Sender: ::Better Business Bureau::(manager@bbb.org)
Subject: Re: Case # 29354013
Text:
Attn: Owner/Manager
The Better Business Bureau has been sent the above mentioned complaint from one of your associates on the subject of their business relations with you.
The details of the consumer’s concern are contained in enclosed document.
Please give attention to this problem and notify us of your point of view.
We kindly ask you to click here to reply this complaint. (The “click here” link leads to http://rcegroup.net/34100d/index.html)

We look forward to your urgent reply.

Yours faithfully,
Anita Emil
Better Business Bureau
________________________________________

Council of Better Business Bureaus
4200 Wilson Blvd, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1838
Phone: 1 (703) 276.0100
Fax: 1 (703) 525.8277

Version 7:

Sender: ::Better Business Bureau:: (alerts@bbb.org)
Subject: Your customer’s complaint
Text:
Dear Sirs,
The Better Business Bureau has received the above mentioned complaint from one of your associates regarding their dealings with you.
The detailed information about the consumer’s concern is included in attached document.
Please review this matter and inform us about your standpoint.
Please click here to reply this complaint. (The “click here” link leads to http://38.106.32.183/09d78c/index.html)

We look forward to your prompt reply.

Sincerely,
Paula Tap
Better Business Bureau
________________________________________

Council of Better Business Bureaus
4200 Wilson Blvd, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1838
Phone: 1 (703) 276.0100
Fax: 1 (703) 525.8277

Robert

Comments

  1. Thanks for posting this info. I received two of these today. Luckily I clicked on the link in my Android phone so it didn’t download anything as far as I could tell.

  2. We had the Paula Tap and Louis Gerald versions. Again, not attachment other than graphic and the link to the alleged BBB in Arlington, VA

  4. I have gotten a few of these over the past week, at several addresses. They get points for a decent attempt, but it all falls apart when you check links and headers. Most of them have been coming from IP’s in the Netherlands, as far as I could tell. The one this morning was from “Shawna Dennis”.

    So heads up to all – Do not click! Delete and report as Spam!

  5. I received the Paula Tap version, but it used my real name in the salutation. I always read the URL for vague emails like this and, like other spam, it looked skeezy.

    It’s cool that your page came up when I searched for a spam confirmation.

  6. I live in Canada and rcvd one of these yesterday and one todAy and thought why the heck is BBB contacting me from the US??? Then I went to the arlington fx website and noted the different phone numbers and are codes and looked on google for BBB scAms and found your note. Mine matches one of yours perfectly! Thanks for posting

  7. I also received the Paula Tap version today. I didn’t click it; googled the info first and found this note right away. Thanks so much for posting.

  10. Thanks for the info. I scrolled over the link to see the URL & realized it was a bunch of crap! What a bunch of losers.

  11. The version I just received:

    Dear Sirs,
    The Better Business Bureau has been sent the above mentioned complaint from one of your customers concerning their dealings with you.
    The detailed information about the consumer’s concern is presented in enclosed file.
    Please review this issue and notify us of your opinion.
    Please click here to reply this complaint.
    We look forward to your urgent attention to this matter.
    Yours faithfully,
    Shawna Dennis
    Better Business Bureau

  13. I just wanted to thank you for putting the email you rec’d up because I got it the other day (12/9/11) & it came into my regular email & I replied to it (Subject: Re: BBB Case # 79827855 – it came from admin@bbb.org/manager@bbb.org) Please click for complaint (didn’t do that thank goodness) The persons name was Paula Tap, Better Business Bureau – at bottom it says Council of Better Business Bureaus w/address & numbers

    & then I just got it again -today 12/13/11 (see below – but it I found it in my Junk Mail folder) & I thought I better check this out.
    Same as the 1st one, but it also had this link to click on w/a name:
    We encourage you to click here to answer this complaint.
    We look forward to your urgent reply.
    Sincerely,
    Roland Dani
    Better Business Bureau

  16. It has finally hit the midwest….We received it on 3/2/12 with slightly different wording but they didn’t even bother to try to disguise their email address as totally different from BBB. I’ve learned the hard way never to click on anything in an email but go directly to the legitimate websites and/or google for scam information. Thank you for posting!

  17. I got it today:

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Hello,

    The Better Business Bureau has received the above mentioned complaint from one of your associates in respect of their business relations with you.
    The detailed information about the consumer’s concern is contained in attached document.
    Please examine this issue and advise us of your position.
    We encourage you to open the ATTACHED REPORT to answer this complaint.

    We look forward to your urgent reply.

    Sincerely,

    James Siena

    Dispute Counselor
    Better Business Bureau
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Had a zip file as an attachment.

  18. I just got Paula Tap, complaint councellor, and clicked on it via my BB. I quickly went back and googled it. I got this site. I work in Wpg at a not for profit, and once I seen the US link I became confused, so happy I looked further into it! BBB needs to take action!

  19. I got a new batch of these this week:

    August 01, 2012
    RE: Case# 4379402: Daryl Garrison

    Dear Company:
    As you are aware, the Better Business Bureau contacted you regarding the above-named complainant, seeking a response to this complaint. Your position is available online.

    The following URL (website address) below will take you directly to this complaint and you will be able to view the response directly on our website:
    URL: boston.app.bbb.org/complaint/view/4379402/b/748774380f

    The complainant has been notified of your response.

    The BBB believes that your response adequately addresses the disputed issues and/or has exhibited a good faith effort to resolve the complaint. The complaint will close as “Administratively Judged Resolved” and our records will be updated.

    If you fail to honor your agreement or if the consumer has information that disputes the accuracy of your firm’s response, we will notify your office with substantiation to support the consumer’s position and the case will be re-opened. Cases will not be re-opened without documentation or good cause.

    The BBB appreciates this opportunity to serve you. Dispute Resolution Department.

    Another version had the subject:
    RE: Case# 0017719: Nick Fuller

    I also got this version:

    Thank you for supporting your Better Business Bureau (BBB).

    As a service to BBB Accredited Businesses, we try to ensure that the information we provide to potential customers is as accurate as possible. In order for us to provide the correct information to the public, we ask that you review the information that we have on file for your company.

    We encourage you to use our ONLINE FORM to provide us with this updated information. The URL below will take you directly to this form on our website:

    URL: app.alaskaoregonwesternwashington.bbb.org/sbq
    (UserID: 279495080 Password: Koc2erp34nvbcg)

    Please look carefully at your telephone and fax numbers on this sheet, and let us know any and all numbers used for your business (including 800, 900, rollover, and remote call forwarding). Our automated system is driven by telephone/fax numbers, so having accurate information is critical for consumers to find information about your business easily.

    Thank you again for your support, and we look forward to receiving this updated information.

    Sincerely,

    Accreditation Services

    Other versions had the subjects:
    BBB SBQ Form #054184597(Ref#54-054184597-0-4)
    BBB SBQ Form #716020216(Ref#01-716020216-0-4)
    BBB SBQ Form #231330480(Ref#84-231330480-0-4)

  20. According to my anti-virus (Avast!), the latest batch of these had virus attachments. Avast removed the viruses. I don’t know whether it’s responsible for the mangled look of the message. Here’s one example what I got. The case numbers varied.

    Case #NM3XK60S58The Better Business Bureau has received the above-referenced complaint from one of your customers regarding their dealings with you. The details of the consumer’s concern are included on the reverse. Please review this matter and advise us of your position. As a neutral third party, the Better Business Bureau can help to resolve the matter. Often complaints are a result of misunderstandings a company wants to know about and correct. In the interest of time and good customer relations, please provide the BBB with written verification of your position in this matter by December 12, 2012. Your prompt response will allow BBB to be of service to you and your customer in reaching a mutually agreeable resolution. Please inform us if you have contacted your customer directly and already resolved this matter.The Better Business Bureau develops and maintains Reliability Reports on companies across the United States and Canada . This information is available to the public and is frequently used by potential customers. Your cooperation in responding to this complaint becomes a permanent part of your file with the Better Business Bureau. Failure to promptly give attention to this matter may be reflected in the report we give to consumers about your company.We encourage you to print this complaint (attached file), answer the questions and respond to us.We look forward to your prompt attention to this matter.Sincerely, BBB Serving Metropolitan New York, Long Island and the Mid-Hudson Region

  21. I also got about 20 BBB spams that didn’t have virus attachments. Those ones wanted me to click on a link. These were formatted decently, with a blue BBB header labeled “Better Business Bureau Start With Trust”. Even though the HTML message looked fine the first line of the message said: “Sorry, your e-mail does not support HTML format. Your messages can be viewed in your browser” Clicking the view online link leads to an infected site. This site (which shows what the messages look line) says the links deliver malware.

    Here’s the text:

    Better Business Bureau ©
    Start With Trust

    Fri, 7 Dec 2012

    RE: Case N. 85136859

    Valued client
    The Better Business Bureau has been registered the above mentioned complaint from one of your clientes in respect to their business relations with you. The information about the consumer’s anxiety are available for review at a link below. Please give attention to this point and let us know about your glance as soon as possible.
    We politely ask you to visit the RECLAMATION REPORT to respond on this complaint.
    We are looking forward to your prompt rebound.
    Yours respectfully
    Ava Hall
    Dispute Counselor
    Better Business Bureau
    ________________________________________
    ________________________________________
    Better Business Bureau
    3013 Wilson Blvd, Suite 600 Arlington, VA 21801
    Phone: 1 (703) 276.0100 Fax: 1 (703) 525.8277

  22. I just got one of these today and I am not a member of the BBB. Thanks for the post of the information.

    Mine came form the

    Better Business Bureau
    3013 Wilson Blvd, Suite 600 Arlington, VA 24001

    Kyle Jones
    Dispute Advisor
    Better Business Bureau

    This was the information on the letter.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer #Left

This is an example of a widget area that you can place text to describe a product or service. You can also use other WordPress widgets such as recent posts, recent comments, a tag cloud or more.

Footer #Right

This is an example of a widget area that you can place text to describe a product or service. You can also use other WordPress widgets such as recent posts, recent comments, a tag cloud or more.