E-mail Phishing Attack Uses USAA Name

BBB Urges Businesses to Report Suspicious E-mails

Anchorage, AK., — January 29, 2008 —A phishing attack is hitting members of United Services Automobile Association, an insurance and banking provider for military families. Much like the phishing e-mails that used the Better Business Bureau name last spring, the USAA recently confirmed that another phishing e-mail attack using its name has been reported by many of its members.

Members receive e-mails claiming to be from USAA that urge them to “verify the following information” which may include their social security number, date of birth, and account number(s). A hyperlink in the e-mail will redirect members to a counterfeit website that may contain malicious software designed to capture sensitive information.

Phishing e-mails are often used to entice recipients to access potentially damaging hyperlinks in order to steal personal information. The USAA instructs anyone who has received this most recent e-mail, or a similar one, to report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov and contact USAA immediately at 1-877-632-3002 or email abuse@usaa.com.

In order to combat these recent phishing e-mail attacks, your local BBB offers the following tips:

• Do not be fooled by the use of a legitimate organization’s name within these messages. Scammers have been known to use the Department of Justice’s name and the BBB name as well as the names of banks and other legitimate companies.
• Do not click on active links or open any attachments within the e-mail. These links and attachments often contain viruses which can damage your computer.
• If you have already clicked on a link or opened an attachment, your computer’s security may have been compromised. Have your company’s IT person or a computer expert look at your computer.
• Be sure to have updated firewalls and spam blockers installed in your computer.
• Report any suspicious e-mails to the FBI by filing at www.ic3.gov.
• Visit www.bbb.org to find out more about recent security alerts.

Your Better Business Bureau is a not-for-profit organization funded by BBB accredited businesses. The mission of the BBB is to promote the highest ethical marketplace relationship between businesses and consumers through self-regulation, education, and information. For more information about the services and products provided by your BBB, cal l907-562-0704 in Alaska, or 206-431-2222 or 253-830-2924 in Washington, 503-212-3022 in Oregon, or visit our Web site at www.bbb.org.