A malicious email is circulating that purports to come from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and leaves computers infected with malware. The FTC began receiving reports of the viral scam Thursday afternoon.
David Torok, the FTC’s associate director for planning and information, says the FTC can’t yet tell the frequency of the email or confirm any trends among the recipients. Several callers have been small business owners who could be more likely to click on the links as the message is addressed “Dear business owner.”
The email’s subject line says “URGENT: Pending Consumer Complaint!” The body reads:
“Dear business owner, A consumer complaint has been filled against your company. Your company is being accused of trying to commit fraud against the complaint’s filling party. The full text of the complaint file can be viewed on the FTC website, in PDF format, by visiting the following link.”
After a malicious link, the reader is urged to call a FTC help hotline, use a secure online complaint form or email complaints to the FTC. It’s likely that people worried about their business’s supposed fraudulent activity would be most likely to respond to the message.
“One business owner said when they clicked on the link their computer immediately froze — that’s never a good sign.” Torok says, demanding a careful examination.
The FTC posted advisories on its phone line, social accounts and blog, saying the email message is a scam and warning recipients not to open the message.
Image courtesy of iStockphoto, edfuentesg
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Posted on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 20:04:13 +0000 at http://mashable.com/2011/09/01/ftc-malware/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/09/01/ftc-malware/#comments
David Torok, the FTC’s associate director for planning and information, says the FTC can’t yet tell the frequency of the email or confirm any trends among the recipients. Several callers have been small business owners who could be more likely to click on the links as the message is addressed “Dear business owner.”
The email’s subject line says “URGENT: Pending Consumer Complaint!” The body reads:
“Dear business owner, A consumer complaint has been filled against your company. Your company is being accused of trying to commit fraud against the complaint’s filling party. The full text of the complaint file can be viewed on the FTC website, in PDF format, by visiting the following link.”
After a malicious link, the reader is urged to call a FTC help hotline, use a secure online complaint form or email complaints to the FTC. It’s likely that people worried about their business’s supposed fraudulent activity would be most likely to respond to the message.
“One business owner said when they clicked on the link their computer immediately froze — that’s never a good sign.” Torok says, demanding a careful examination.
The FTC posted advisories on its phone line, social accounts and blog, saying the email message is a scam and warning recipients not to open the message.
Image courtesy of iStockphoto, edfuentesg
More About: internet hoax, malware, Politics, U.S.For more Tech & Gadgets coverage:Follow Mashable Tech & Gadgets on TwitterBecome a Fan on FacebookSubscribe to the Tech & Gadgets channelDownload our free apps for Android, Mac, iPhone and iPad
Posted on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 20:04:13 +0000 at http://mashable.com/2011/09/01/ftc-malware/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/09/01/ftc-malware/#comments