The Business Crime Reduction Centre (BCRC) is warning businesses and individuals about a new email scam appearing to threaten victims with court action.
Fraudsters are using the authentic looking email to deceive and scare its receivers into opening an attachment which contains details of the ‘court notice’. In reality, the attachment is an .exe file (a file that executes when clicked) containing a virus.
Once the attachment is opened the targeted computer is infected with this malicious software. The criminals behind the email are then able to take control of the computer remotely.
The details vary but have general key messages aiming to frighten people into clicking before thinking. BCRC’s cyber security specialist, Mark Connell, said “Provoking a panicked, impulse reaction has become a very common scam technique for cyber criminals. Opening the attachment allows the criminal to spy on the victim, use their computer to commit crime, or steal personal and financial information. This email is difficult to block as the subject headers change frequently.”
What to do if you receive the email
BCRC, covering the Yorkshire and Humber region, is warning people not to open the email’s attachment, reply or forward the email or contact the senders in any way. The email has no connection to the criminal justice system and anyone receiving the email should report it to Action Fraud using their online fraud reporting tool or calling 0300 123 2040.
Any small and medium sized businesses in the Yorkshire and Humber region seeking preventative measures against this or any other type of scam can contact BCRC on 0114 275 1283 or email [email protected]
BCRC is delivered with Yorkshire-based charity, People United Against Crime and South Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Humberside Police forces. BCRC is part financed by the European Union through the Yorkshire and Humber European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007-2013.
