BBB Scam Alerts for May 2012

May 14, 2012 - PRLog -- RALEIGH, N.C. (May 14, 2012) — In an effort to keep the public informed, Better Business Bureau serving Eastern North Carolina offers monthly Scam Alerts:
BBB warns that Verizon customers are receiving phony e-mails that look almost identical to the real alerts many customers get to remind them of monthly payments. This phishing scam is notable for its detailed replication of Verizon e-mails, with large bill amounts and links to third party Web sites being the only ways consumers can tell they are phony. If you receive a suspicious e-mail from Verizon, do not click on the links and delete the e-mail. Consumers can test the links by using their mouse to hover over them and viewing the destination link. If the e-mail is a scam, the URL will not lead to Verizon’s Web site. Verizon states that it does not send e-mail notices asking for customer payment information, usernames or passwords.

BBB has received numerous calls regarding a text message offering a gift card from Best Buy. BBB warns that this is a scam and urges consumers to avoid responding to the message or clicking on any links. In most cases, the text message claims that the consumer has won a $1,000 gift card from Best Buy and instructs the consumer to follow a link to claim the gift card. Once the user clicks on the link, they are asked for personal information that could be used to steal his or her identity.

BBB has been alerted that consumers in eastern North Carolina are receiving official-looking postcards from Package Services in Whitehouse, Texas. The card provides a phone number to call to schedule the pickup of a package, as well as a package number and tracking number. When consumers call the provided phone number, the company attempts to lure them into purchasing a vacation package. BBB advises consumers to avoid calling the number if they are not expecting a delivery, as their number may be sold for future sales calls.

BBB warns job seekers to exercise caution when searching for employment opportunities online, as scam artists are placing fake employment opportunities on Web sites such as Craigslist. This nationwide scam is an attempt to trick consumers into giving away their personal information. BBB advises consumers to protect their personal information, as job seekers should never provide their birth date or Social Security number until they have verified that the position is legitimate.