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Stacey Butler ReportingAnother warning about yet another Internet scam that very well could have shown up in your email, just today. This latest scheme involves a clever new twist, and consumer fraud regulators think it’s important that you be on the lookout.
An email is circulating around the country; it says ‘FRAUD ALERT’, grabbing your attention quickly; but it's a new scam using your fears of becoming a victim of fraud to rip you off.
Francine Giani/Utah Division of Consumer Protection: “When scams get to be more clever, there are more victims potentially.”
This email appears to be from the reputable company BestBuy.com. It alerts recipients that someone is fraudulently using their credit card to make a purchase.
Then in order to protect their accounts, customers are asked to give their credit card and social security number over the Internet as confirmation.
"Fran Giani: “It's the confirmation info they're requesting that will get consumers into a lot of trouble."
Just yesterday the fraudulent emails were sent out all across the nation. Already thousands of Best Buy customers, including some from Utah, have contacted the company asking if the email is real.
Fran Giani: “Best Buy has acknowledged its a scam from their corporate office, and we now need to do all we can to minimize the damage from those who may have been victimized."
Best Buy warned customers not to respond to the email and issued the following statement:
“This message is NOT from Best Buy. Best Buy is working with appropriate authorities to quickly contain and resolve the situation."
The FBI and local Law Enforcement are now involved in the search for those behind this
The Division of Consumer Protection is warning people NOT to respond to the fraudulent email. If you have, you are asked to contact your bank or credit card companies, and the Division of Consumer Protection.
