Swine Flu Swindle - BBB Scam Alert

Don’t Get Swindled by Swine Flu Scams


Your Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be on the lookout for fraudulent
e-mails and Web sites trying to take advantage of the current Swine Flu outbreak.

Scammers read newspapers, watch TV and surf the Internet in order to capitalize on the day’s top headlines. Right now it’s Swine Flu.

According to McAfee Avert Labs, an online security company, spammers began sending e-mails as soon as the first accounts of Swine Flu hit the news. The messages include subject lines such as, “Madonna caught Swine Flu!” and “Swine Flu in Hollywood!” McAfee reports that the e-mails do not contain malware, but often link to online pharmacies.

Misleading Web sites are also beginning to appear. One in particular, www.noswineflu.com, is offering a Swine Flu Survival Guide for $19.95.

BBB offers the following advice to avoid Swine Flu scams:

• Avoid opening e-mails from unknown sources and don’t click on any links in the body of the e-mail or open any attachments. Instead, delete the e-mail or report it to the Federal Trade Commission by forwarding the e-mail to spam@uce.gov.


• Don’t believe online offers for vaccinations against Swine Flu because a vaccine does not exist. For more information on Swine Flu and updates on progress in fighting the outbreak, go to www.cdc.gov/swineflu.

• Make sure your anti-virus and anti-spyware software is up to date and all operating system security patches have been installed. If your computer becomes infected as the result of a spam e-mail about Swine Flu, you can report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.