Wasden urges business owners to guard against Attorney General email scam

(Boise) – Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden is warning business owners to be on the lookout for emails sent by scammers posing as representatives from his office.

The emails indicate they were sent by the Attorney General, are generically addressed to “Business Owner” and inform recipients a complaint has been filed against them, Wasden said. 

The messages also include a link that purports to take recipients to a document that can be used to respond to the complaint. But the link is actually a zip file that installs a computer virus used to obtain sensitive information to help perpetrate identity theft and fraud, Wasden said.

“This is no different than any other scam that uses the names of government or law enforcement agencies in an effort to dupe consumers,” Attorney General Wasden said. “Constituents and business owners need to know that my office will never send unsolicited emails about complaints.”

Wasden said a business owner from northern Idaho notified the Consumer Protection Division last week after receiving a sham email. Similar email scams incorporating Attorneys General have been reported in other states, including recently in Illinois and Maryland. 

Consumers are encouraged not to open these emails or click on any links. Wasden said consumers should delete the emails and contact his office to report the scam.

The Consumer Protection Division can be reached at 1-800-432-3545.