[Vision2020] Fraud Alert

[Robert Dickow]

About this fraud alert, my wife got one of these too. I'm a little skeptical
about BestBuy.com's explanation. First of all, to whom would people respond
with their information? Return mail? But the 'fraud alert' has two links to
BestBuy.com's website. Most people would use the link first, since it points
to a 'fraud report' page. But doing so would be the end of the line for the
allegded crooks since the page does not exist, and the ruse becomes obvious.
Return mail is dangerous for crooks too. So, I'm wondering if this is a
devious piece of spam, designed to get people to go to the BestBuy.com
website. I've heard of schemes such as this. If this turns out to be what
has been happening with this mailing, it is alarming and deceptive at best.
After all, in 5,000 hits, 300 or more people will actually buy something,
and many of these companies just play the odds, and getting people to the
site is what produces sales. BestBuy.com or an 'anonymous' agent of
BestBuy.com has motive.

Bob Dickow

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill London" <london@moscow.com>
To: "Vision2020" <vision2020@moscow.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2003 7:34 AM
Subject: [Vision2020] Fraud Alert


> I received two of these "Fraud Alerts" yesterday.
> They are bogus.
> I contacted Best Buys directly and discovered that the email system is
> flooded with these fake alerts.  The goal of these "alerts" is to get
> people to submit their credit card numbers to "verify" that they did not
> buy the stuff mentioned in the email.
> The people at Best Buys said just delete the alert.
> BL
>
> Tomasine Eliezer wrote:
>
> > 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.
> > 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.
> > 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
>