[StBernard] FBI Identifies Recurring Fraudulent E-mail Scam

[Westley Annis]

FBI Identifies Recurring Fraudulent E-mail Scam 
The FBI has recently developed information indicating cyber criminals are
attempting to once again send fraudulent e-mails to unsuspecting recipients
stating that someone has filed a complaint against them or their company
with the Department of Justice or another organization such as the Internal
Revenue Service, Social Security Administration, or the Better Business
Bureau.

Information obtained during the FBI investigation has been provided to the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS has taken steps to alert their
public and private sector partners with the release of a Critical
Infrastructure Information Notice (CIIN).

The e-mails are intended to appear as legitimate messages from the above
departments, and they address the recipients by name, and other personal
information may be contained within the e-mail. Consistent with previous
efforts, the scam will likely be an effort to secure Personally Identifiable
Information. The nature of these types of scams is to create a sense of
urgency for the recipient to provide a response through clicking on a
hyperlink, opening an attachment, or initiating a telephone call.

It is believed this e-mail refers to a complaint that is in the form of an
attachment, which actually contains virus software designed to steal
passwords from the recipient. The virus is wrapped in a screensaver file
wherein most anti-virus programs are unable to detect its malicious intent.
Once downloaded, the virus is designed to monitor username and password
logins, and record the activity, as well as other password-type information,
entered on the compromised machine.

"Through FBI investigations we frequently uncover information about ongoing
cyber attacks and scams. We share this information through our partnership
with DHS to alert the public and the private sector," noted James E. Finch,
Assistant Director of the FBI's Cyber Division.

Be wary of any e-mail received from an unknown sender. Do not open any
unsolicited e-mail and do not click on any links provided. To receive the
latest information about cyber scams please go to the FBI website and sign
up for e-mail alerts by clicking on one of the red envelopes. If you have
received a scam e-mail please notify the IC3 by filing a complaint at
www.ic3.gov. For more information on e-scams, please visit the FBI's New
E-Scams and Warnings webpage. 

# # #