Business Software Alliance and Council of Better Business Bureaus Warn Online Holiday Shoppers: Don't Get Scammed by Spam

Business Software Alliance and Council of Better Business Bureaus Warn Online Holiday Shoppers: Don't Get Scammed by Spam

New Forrester Data Study Finds That Computer Software Tops the List of Consumer Purchases Made Through Spam

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Internet bargain hunters are likely to become scam victims this holiday season if they respond to unsolicited or "junk" email offers that seem "too-good-to-be-true," say the Business Software Alliance (BSA) and the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB). The two non-profit groups today released the results of a BSA commissioned study conducted by Forrester Data on spam email along with shopping tips for a safe and secure online holiday shopping experience.

In the United States and five other countries (Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom), computer software tops the list of one of the most purchased items through spam, according to Forrester Data, whose online survey asked 1,000 Internet users in each of the six countries about their attitudes toward unsolicited email.

"More than 40 percent of Americans are expected to shop online this holiday season, and many will be tempted by unsolicited email touting unbelievable savings on well-known brands of commercial software. Be careful. That software program may be a pirated version rather than a genuine product," said Bob Kruger, BSA's vice president of enforcement.

"Consumers should be aware that the majority of these offers originate from unscrupulous vendors, some of whom are involved in other forms of illicit activity. Indeed, BSA has traced the largest number of spams to an organized group operating out of Russia," said Kruger. In a number of cases, BSA is assisting the international authorities in identifying them and shutting them down.

According to the study, although more than 90 percent of U.S. Internet users receive a variety of spam and only read about a fifth of it, about 21 percent of consumers admit to having purchased computer software through spam. Only apparel and jewelry rank slightly higher at 22 percent.

The research findings also reveal that 40 percent of online consumers say software for sale via spam raises concerns about online security and exposure to a computer virus.

"The CBBB is warning consumers and businesses about these holiday rip-offs and arming them with important information that will guide them in making sensible, educated purchase decisions," said CBBB President and CEO Ken Hunter. "If you plan to shop online this holiday season, our tips can help you protect yourself from spam scams."

BSA and CBBB offer the following tips to help consumers and businesses recognize spam scams:

1. Recognize spam! Indicators that an email is spam include senders
whose name you don't recognize, typos and misspellings in the subject
line, and prices too good to be true.

2. Use a spam filter. Options can be found via a simple web search. Or,
if you receive commercial spam at your work email address, ask the
person in charge of computer systems what filtering options are
available or in use.

3. Don't reply. Even if the spam email instructs you to reply if you
want to "unsubscribe," it could be a trap. You may only verify that
your address is active.

4. Don't post. Avoid posting your email address on public sites where
spammers can find it.

5. Check out the dealer. If the online dealer seeking to sell you
software isn't listed on that software manufacturer's website, then
beware.

6. Do your homework. Look for a feedback section on the site and look
for comments on the seller based on previous transactions. Look for a
trust mark from a reputable organization like BBBOnLine.

7. Get the seller's address. That way, you can check the merchant's
record with the Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org/). If you
can't find a physical address, then be suspicious.

8. Keep receipts. Print a copy of your order number and sales
confirmation and keep them.

9. Steer clear of compilations and back-ups. Compilations of software
titles from different manufacturers, or "backup" copies, are a clear
indication that the software is not legitimate.

10. Report piracy. Buyers suspecting pirated or counterfeit software
and/or fraud should contact law enforcement agencies and BSA at
1-888-NO PIRACY or http://www.bsa.org/.




In mid-November, in a study commissioned by BSA, Forrester Data, part of Forrester Research, Inc., surveyed 1,000 Internet users in each of six countries: Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. The error margin for the poll is 3 percent (in a sample of 1,000 Internet users in each country). Comparative data for each surveyed country are available at http://www.bsa.org/usa/online-shopping/.

The Business Software Alliance (http://www.bsa.org/) is the foremost organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world. BSA is the voice of the world's commercial software industry and its hardware partners before governments and in the international marketplace. Its members represent one of the fastest growing industries in the world. BSA programs foster technology innovation through education and policy initiatives that promote copyright protection, cyber security, trade and e-commerce. BSA members include Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, Avid, Bentley Systems, Borland, CNC Software/Mastercam, Internet Security Systems, Macromedia, Microsoft, McAfee, SolidWorks, Sybase, Symantec, UGS and VERITAS Software.

The Council of Better Business Bureaus (http://www.bbb.org/) is the umbrella organization for the 124 BBBs that serve communities across the U.S.; another 14 BBBs serve Canada. Funded by more than 270,000 business members, the BBB system provides 25 million instances of service each year to consumers and businesses seeking information to make a wise purchasing decision or assistance with resolving marketplace disputes. BBBOnLine programs (http://www.bbbonline.org/) offer tools and information to consumers and businesses in support of a safe online marketplace.


Source: Business Software Alliance

CONTACT: Debbi Bauman of the Business Software Alliance,
+1-202-530-5132, debbib@bsa.org; or Laura Brinker, +1-202-715-1540,
laura.brinker@dittus.com, for the Business Software Alliance

Web site: http://www.bsa.org/
http://www.bsa.org/usa/online-shopping
http://www.bbb.org/
http://www.bbbonline.org/


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