Large Scale E-mail Scam Claims Hundreds of Victims -Hundreds of Californians have fallen for it

kxtv ^

[chance33_98]

Large Scale E-mail Scam Claims Hundreds of Victims

Hundreds of Californians have fallen victim to an official-looking email warning them to take action to avoid unauthorized use of their credit card.

The message, which purports to come from the electronics retailer Best Buy, is titled "BestBuy Order #1095619. Fraud Alert" (the order number may vary). It advises the recipient that a "suspicious" credit card purchase has been made. "Our Fraud Department has some suspicions regarding this order and we need you to visit a special Fraud Department page at our web store where you can confirm or decline this transaction by providing us with the correct information," says the message, in part.

The e-mail recipient is then directed to a website that appears to be that of Best Buy. Once there, the victim of the scam is asked to provide a wide range of personal information, including credit card and bank account numbers. Two pieces of data, the victim's Social Security number and mother's maiden name, can be particularly damaging because they allow the scammers to access bank accounts.

Those behind the fraudulent operation use a number of web hosting companies that provide anonymity for their clients. Each of the services is used for a day or two before moving on to the next, making it difficult for authorities to shut them down.

Tens of thousand of complaints have already been received by Best Buy, most from the United States, but some from as far away as France and Australia. According to a spokesperson for the company, the FBI has now joined the investigation into the fraud.

Best Buy points out that the security of company databases has not been breached, and that messages are apparently being sent at random. A significant number of the recipients have never patronized Best Buy.

Best Buy is taking steps to inform the public about the scam, offering warnings on the company website and phone lines. The retailer is also working with the news media to get the word out.

Experts advise that legitimate fraud investigations never require users to submit personal information online or over the telephone.

[chance33_98]

The stupid shall be punished

Yep... Shot German Tourists Were 'Stupid'-

[Othniel]

I got one of these emails. I skimmed it to the point that it said "we need your information to verify," made a printout, and got on the phone to my local Best Buy. The clerk said she was aware of it, the company was aware of it, and that it was bogus.

On the one that we got, there was a "shipping address" (I just LOVE quotes! Dr. Evil, where are you??) that was supposedly in Staten Island. It gave a phone number with a 206 area code, which is Seattle's. So that's a bit tip-off right there.

[rs79bm]

FYI, This is what the actual scam email contained, in its entirety:

Dear customer, Recently we have received an order made by using your personal credit card information. This order was made online at our official BestBuy website on 06/19/2003. Our Fraud Department has some suspicions regarding this order and we need you to visit a special Fraud Department page at our web store where you can confirm or decline this transaction by providing us with the correct information. Your e-mail address has been taken from National Credit Bureau.

Click the link below to visit a special Fraud Department page to resolve the cause of the problem. BestBuy.com/fraud_department.html

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ORDER# 1095619 - STATUS: SUSPENDED ITEMS PURCHASED ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Item No: 73890 CDA-9815 In-Dash CD Player/Ai-Changer Controller Price: $387.65 Qty: 2 Total: $775.3

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The order listed above has not yet been processed. The reason for the delay in processing your order is:

- UNVERIFIED SHIPPING ADDRESS

- Information provided: Shipping 41 WINHAM ST Staten Island, NY 10306 United States phone# 206-337-9843

In our effort to deter fraudulent transactions, we need your help in providing us with the correct information. Your prompt response is needed to avoid any unauthorized charges to your credit card.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Click the link below to visit a special Fraud Department page to resolve the cause of the problem. BestBuy.com/fraud_department.html



When you clicked on the link, it took you to this address which was an exact duplicate of the Best Buy site:

www.bestbuy-legal.hypermart.net/fraud.html

The address has since been removed.

[boris]

I received it and alarm bells went off instantly.

I contacted the real Best Buy and they told me my instincts were correct; they were being deluged with calls about this scam.

--Boris

[Hildy]

S U C K E R S

[amongolian]

Below is a copy of the fraudulent email. I received it Wednesday afternoon and was one of many who contacted BestBuy. The link did not lead to a BestBuy site but rathjer to a domain name that was registered at the beginning of the month through enom.com. The site was apparently not hosted by enom.com but by a seemingly shadier hosting service by the name of HyperMarket. They don't list any phone contacts or addressing info on their site. The email itself came from yet another domain address. The links were down by the time I got to them but would have brought up a page that looked like official BestBuy site. Culprits collected their credit card numbers SSNs and addresses and hit the road. Note to the wary always check links so you know where you are going and if you have a hankering for the domain name www.digitalgamma.com it will probably be available again soon but you would be advised to check its paternity:-)

Actually getting a human to speak to at BestBuy was no easy task. I tracked a number down at their investor relations department and wasn't the only one. There 800 number like most of them is merely a waste of time and effort that will lead you to some minimum wage crackhead in a welfare to work program.



Dear customer,
Recently we have received an order made by using your personal credit card information.
This order was made online at our official BestBuy website on 06/17/2003.
Our Fraud Department has some suspicions regarding this order and we need you to visit a special Fraud Department page at our web store where you can confirm or decline this transaction by providing us with the correct information.
This e-mail address has been taken from National Credit Bureau.
Click the link below to visit a special Fraud Department page to resolve the cause of the problem.
http://www.BestBuy.com/fraud_department.html

---

ORDER# 1095619 - STATUS: SUSPENDED
ITEMS PURCHASED

---

Item No: 73890
CDA-9815 In-Dash CD Player/Ai-Changer Controller
Price: $387.65 Qty: 2 Total: $775.3

---

The order listed above has not yet been processed.
The reason for the delay in processing your order is:
- UNVERIFIED SHIPPING ADDRESS
- Information provided:
Shipping
41 WINHAM ST
Staten Island, NY 10306
United States
phone# 206-337-9843
In our effort to deter fraudulent transactions, we need your help in providing us with the correct information. Your prompt response is needed to avoid any unauthorized charges to your credit card.

---

Click the link below to visit a special Fraud Department page to resolve the cause of the problem.
http://www.BestBuy.com/fraud_department.html
 

[CyberAnt]

This is why I love cable and am willing to pay the higher price - I NEVER HAVE TO DEAL WITH SPAM OF ANY KIND - NEVER, EVER!!!!!

[PeaceBeWithYou]

Got it, knew it was bogus right away.

Thanks for the confirmation.

[droberts]

I see the secret Government plan of having two fake parties, the sole purpose of which is to keep the populace divided, is working.