FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 20, 2003

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Genene Morris (973)504-6327


Fraud Alert
Consumers Urged not to Respond to E-mail
with "Best Buy Order Fraud Alert" Subject Line

NEWARK - Attorney General Peter C. Harvey and New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs Director Reni Erdos are warning consumers not to respond to e-mail messages with the subject line reading: "Best Buy Order Fraud Alert."

The e-mail message informs consumers that Best Buy's fraud department recently received a Best Buy Internet order using the e-mail recipient's credit card information. The consumer is then lured onto a Web site that is not affiliated with Best Buy and is asked to provide financial information to verify or decline the order.

Best Buy recently issued an alert informing consumers that the company has had nothing to do with the e-mail message and that it is a hoax.

"This e-mail message is being sent to consumers throughout the nation and is part of an attempt by unscrupulous characters to get consumers' personal information, like bank account, credit card and Social Security numbers," Attorney General Harvey said. "Responding to the e-mail and providing the sought-after information could result in the theft of consumers" identities and/or their financial ruin. We are strongly urging New Jersey consumers not to open or respond to the e-mail."

"So far, Consumer Affairs' Consumer Service Center has received one complaint regarding this fraud and it is very likely that there are other New Jersey consumers who have also gotten one of these e-mail messages, but who have not come forward yet,"Consumer Affairs Director Erdos said. "We are issuing this alert to head off the devastating effects this e-mail hoax could have on New Jersey consumers and their bank accounts."

If you have responded to the e-mail message, contact your bank and/or credit card companies. In addition, if your identity is stolen, contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax: 1-800-525-6285, Experian: 1-800-583-4080 and Trans Union 1-800-680-7289) to tell them you're a victim of identity theft. You may also report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at 877-ID-THEFT (438-4338) or obtain a copy of the FTC's ID Theft Affidavit at www.consumer.gov/idtheft. The form may help you close unauthorized accounts and get rid of debts fraudulently put in your name.

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