Several Better Business Bureaus (BBB) have received reports from businesses that have been contacted by scam artists posing as Hitachi Metals, Ltd. or a Hitachi Metals Group company.
The scammers are sending out fake emails to businesses that claim to be from the BBB. The emails use the return address of reply@hitachi-metals-jp.com or hitachi@hitachi-metals-jp.com, with the subject line “Message from BBB.org.” If you respond to one of the requests, you could be setting yourself up for identity theft. Don’t fall for it! BBB recommends deleting the message right away.
BBB has spoken to Hitachi Metals, Ltd. and was told that they have been aware of the fake emails since November 2021. Hitachi Metals, Ltd. is currently in the process of domain arbitration, in which any unauthorized use of that domain name can no longer be used as an email address. If you receive any emails from reply@hitachi-metals-jp.com or hitachi@hitachi-metals-jp.com, Hitachi Metals, Ltd. is encouraging consumers to file a report.
How the scam works:
You receive an email that seems to come from a human resources professional recruiting you for a position at their company. The email has a company logo, signature block, and reply email address. According to the message, the HR representative found your email through your Better Business Bureau Business Profile.
Tips to avoid this scam:
- Be wary of unexpected emails that contain links or attachments. As always, do not click on links or open files in unfamiliar emails.
- Don’t believe what you see. Just because an email looks real doesn’t mean it is. Scammers can fake anything from a company logo to the sent email address.
- Check the company’s website. Businesses typically post job information on their websites.
- Be cautious of generic emails. Scammers try to cast a wide net by including little or no specific information in their fake emails. Always be wary of messages that seem overly general. If a recruiter was emailing you, he/she should have your name and job title.
For more information
Read about another time when BBB was impostored, and Learn more about phishing attempts here.
What to do if an impostor pretends to be your business.
