One business is perpetrating an advance fee loan scam that targets consumers and businesses with poor credit records. It has provided as a reference fictitious BBB phone numbers that are answered by representatives who falsely claim to be with Better Business Bureau and provide a positive report on business in question.

The other entity, which appears to be a telemarketer, is contacting local businesses, falsely stating to be from BBB and calling about a complaint or to update BBB files. The telemarketer proceeds to ask questions that have nothing to do with BBB business and leaves as a contact number 1.800.CALL.BBB.

"Bureaus across country are reporting calls from victims. These scammers are falsely using Better Business Bureau name to try to gain credibility with potential victims," said Ken Hunter, president and CEO of Council of Better Business Bureaus. "We urge people to double-check with their local BBB whenever they receive a dubious phone call or see BBB name tied to a questionable promotion. We’re easy to find in telephone directory or on web at http://www.bbb.org."

A company called Kirkland Russell and Thomson (KRT), supposedly located in Houston, advertises loans to individuals and businesses. KRT representatives claim that business is a member of BBB and suggest that interested customers call fictitious phone numbers for "Southwestern Division of BBB in Oklahoma City" and BBB of Metropolitan Houston to request company’s BBB report.

"The company is using BBB name as a shill for its business. These are not phone numbers of BBB's in Oklahoma City and Houston. And, neither Bureau has issued a satisfactory report on KRT. The company has produced and is distributing a fake, glowing BBB reliability report," Hunter warns.

1. Nigerian Letter Scam: This one's been around for many years but continues to flourish. Many of these e-mails claim to be from a person in Africa, usually Nigeria. The writer claims to have access to millions of dollars, either from a relative or from knowledge of an idle account. A percentage of this money is promised to victim if they will allow money to be processed through their personal bank account. The victim is instructed to keep their share and send remaining money to scammer.

The check given to victims is fraudulent. The victim is then liable to bank for check they wrote to scammer.

Here's what will happen when you give strangers your bank account information: They will take your money. Period.

2. Phishing Scams: "Phishing" is a high-tech scam that uses spam or pop- up messages to deceive you into disclosing your credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, passwords, or other sensitive information.

Phishers send an e-mail or pop-up message that claims to be from a business or organization that you deal with--for example, your Internet service provider (ISP), bank, online payment service, or even a government agency. The message usually says that you need to "update" or "validate" your account information.

Recent phishing victims include Yahoo, Citibank, eBay, Best Buy and Bank of America among others.

If you get spam that is phishing for information, forward it to spam@uce.gov.

3. Chain Letters: In this classic scam, you're asked to send a small amount of money (usually $5.00) to each of several names on a list, and then forward letter including your name at top of list, via bulk e-mail. Many of these letters claim to be legal. They even include a section of U.S. Postal Code on illegal schemes. Don't be fooled. They are not legal. And if you participate, not only will you be breaking law, you'll lose your money as well.

4. Work-At-Home And Business Opportunity Scams: These scams tempt victims with ads stating "no experience necessary," promise high earnings and claim to have inside information. The scammers usually require victims to pay anywhere from $35 to several hundred dollars or more for information, kits or materials that do not provide promised results.

Frequently, these schemes involve making handicrafts, stuffing envelopes, medical billing, or state, "Use your home PC to make money fast in your spare time!"

In craft making or envelope stuffing scam, after paying fees and completing assembly of products, victims are told their work is low quality and unworthy of compensation.

Medical billing scams require victims to purchase supplies and lists of doctors who, inevitably don't exist or are not interested in service.

5. Bulk E-mail Scams: These solicitations offer to sell you bulk e-mail addresses (spam software) or services to send spam on your behalf. Example: "Reach 100 million websites, $39.95"! The software is usually of poor quality. It's spam and a scam. Don't do it.

6. Auction and retail scams: These schemes typically offer high-value items, such as Cartier watches, Beanie Babies and computers, in hopes of attracting many consumers. What happens is victim wins bid, sends money and receives nothing or receives products of much lower quality than advertised.