Connecticut BBB Warns Against Swine Flu Scams

April 29, 2009 - PRLog -- Wallingford, CT -  Based on reports from online security experts, Connecticut Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be on the lookout for fraudulent e-mails and Web sites trying to take advantage of the current swine flu outbreak.

Connecticut BBB President, Paulette Scarpetti, says scammers are using news headlines and fear in an effort to fool the public.

“Everybody is watching the swine flu epidemic and the chance of a pandemic, including criminals, who know how to turn fear into opportunity.”

According to online security company McAfee Avert Labs, spammers began pumping out e-mails as soon as the first accounts of swine flu were reported in the news, accounting for two percent of all spam messages. The messages include such subject lines as, “Madonna caught swine flu!” and “Swine flu in Hollywood!” The company reports that the e-mails do not contain malware but often link to online pharmacies.

According to one estimate, more than 250 web sites with the term “swine flu” were registered within the first few days following the announcement of the outbreak, and it has been predicted  that the fraudsters are preparing to use such Web sites in a variety of different online frauds. At least one web site is reported to offer a “Swine Flu Survival Guide” PDF for $19.95. Legitimate information on swine flu and updates on progress in fighting the outbreak is available free of charge at www.cdc.gov/swineflu.

Connecticut BBB offers the following advice to avoid swine flu scams:

-Don’t believe online offers for vaccinations against swine flu because a vaccine does not exist.

-Avoid opening e-mail from an unknown source and do not click on any links in the body of the e-mail or open any attachments. Instead, delete the e-mail or report it to the Federal Trade Commission by forwarding the e-mail to spam@uce.gov.

-Make sure your anti-virus and anti-spyware software is up to date and all operating system security patches have been installed. If your computer becomes infected as the result of a spam e-mail about swine flu, you can report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

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Founded in 1928, Connecticut BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. BBB offers objective advice and a wide range of education on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses. Today, 128 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than three million local and national businesses and charities. For more advice on finding companies and businesses, start your search with trust at www.bbb.org.