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10/7/2009

Lexington, KY - If a friend or relative was in trouble and needed help, most of us would try to do what we could. There is a scam going around that capitalizes on that to try to steal your money. Imagine getting an e-mail from someone you know who tells a tale of being in dire straits and needs help right away. A central Kentucky man told your Better Business Bureau that he got such an email which appeared to be from an acquaintance. Take a look at it (the names have been changed, otherwise it's printed exactly as received)…

From: John Doe [mailto: johndoe@yahoo.com] Sent: Saturday, September 12, 2009 7:36 AM To: johndoe@yahoo.com Subject: Very urgent!!!

How are you today? I am in hurry writing this mail to you,I am in some terrible situation and I'm really going to need your urgent help.I traveled to United Kingdom yesterday for an urgent situation,Unfortunately for me i got robbed in the hotel lodged and the robbers took my luggage's. Inside my luggage's,I have most of my valuable items which I traveled with like my credit card, money and my telephone contact diary . The hotel telephone line's was disconnected during the robbery incident,so i have access to only my email,I am full of panic now,Please I need you to lend me about 1,550 Pounds so that i can settle my bills and return home. I want you to send it through western union outlet.Write me so i can let you know how to send it.

Regards, John

Our caller thought it was odd, especially because the email used very broken English, and his acquaintance is a very educated attorney. He called his friend's cell phone to see what was going on. It turned out the friend was not overseas at all. His email address book had been hijacked by a virus and the scammer behind it was sending the same e-mail to everyone in it to try to get money.

This is known as the "Friend in Distress" scam:

• Be wary of messages from strangers or even friends that give you a link to another Web site.
• Before wiring money to a friend in a jam, try to contact them by phone to confirm the situation.
• Or respond by email with a question only the friend would know the answer to.

Make sure your computer's operating system and antivirus and firewall software are up to date so you don't become of victim of this virus. If you get a phony distress call like this, don't fall for it!

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Be a "Don’t Fall for It!" informant! If you have something to share you believe may be a fraudulent offer or scam, please let the BBB know! Call us at (859) 259-1008 or toll-free, 1-800-866-6668, or email us at info@lexbbb.com.