Phony Calls Claim to Be from BBB Asking if Businesses Are Moving
by Nick LaFleur on Dec. 10, 2010, under alert, Life, phishing, scam, TipsBetter Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is warning businesses that companies across the country are receiving phony telephone calls claiming to be from the BBB, asking if the businesses are planning to move.
“The calls are not from BBB, and the source and purpose of the calls are unknown,” said Kim States, BBB President. “BBB advises businesses to proceed cautiously with any unknown callers.”
This week, Better Business Bureau in Dallas heard from a law firm that received over a dozen calls in the past two weeks. The callers said they were from Better Business Bureau and were updating records, and wanted to know if the law firm is moving. Although the business told the callers it wasn’t moving, the callers continued to call back. The law firm told BBB that the caller ID on the calls displayed all zeros.
Similar bogus calls have been reported to BBB in Minnesota over the last few months, and BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington has heard from several businesses about the calls.
Businesses who received the calls, and were actually planning to move their office soon, said the callers asked for their new addresses and additional details. However, none of the businesses that were called have been able to obtain more information from the callers.
To date, BBB has not received any reports that businesses in Southern Arizona have been targeted, but warns businesses to be on the lookout for suspicious callers claiming to be with BBB.
BBB does not call to ask if businesses are moving, and all calls from BBB are clearly identified. Businesses can call (520)888-6161 to verify any calls claiming to be from BBB, or to report questionable calls.
Businesses can be targeted by a number of different schemes, including wire transfer scams, directory schemes, office supply schemes, and more. For BBB tips on schemes against business click here.
