No one is immune from having their identity stolen, not even Better Business Bureau. Lately, we’ve received reports over the phone, in email and even on our Scam Tracker, regarding individuals claiming to be working with BBB.

Numerica Credit Union contacted us about a suspicious email they received from someone claiming to be working in BBB’s investigation department. Fortunately, the organization forwarded the email to BBB and avoided revealing any important information.

A Washington woman reported she received a call from someone named “Troy McMillon.” The caller told her she won a lottery through Publisher’s Clearing House and asked her to fill out a T-91 form. The information was to be sent to both the IRS and BBB in order to cover any taxes she owed on the prize.

This is just a snapshot of incidents reported to BBB. Please remember that Better Business Bureau does not operate or partner with groups that hold lotteries, and will never ask consumers to wire money in order to claim a prize.

BBB offers the following advice on fake calls and emails:

Verify first. If you receive a phone call from BBB and are uncertain of its accuracy, ask for their name and then hang up. Then look up your local BBB office at bbb.org. Call the number listed online and ask to speak with the person who called you.

Check the email. BBB does not use Gmail or Yahoo email addresses to communicate. Your local BBB uses emails ending in @thebbb.org.

Don’t open. Never click on links or attachments from unknown third parties. This puts you at risk of downloading viruses or opening malicious websites.

For more consumer protection tips and information on BBB investigations, visit bbb.org/northwest. To report an incident to Scam Tracker, visit www.bbb.org/scamtracker.