When you see it, it looks official with the FBI logo, special agent name and title.  A letter supposedly from the FBI emergency response network.  But the real FBI says it's not them.  Shelley Lynch, FBI Charlotte spokesperson says  "this email is not the FBI, the FBI would never email you personally and they'll never ask you for money."  Once you get past the official looking aspects of the letter you can see it's not legalese it's bad grammar.  These letters are often traced back to foreign countries where the originator of the letter does not command the English language.

The calls for help are coming into the Better Business Bureau not only about official looking letters from the FBI but also from people impersonating the BBB itself.  Janet Hart, BBB Spokesperson says "the emails tell the businesses you have a complaint that you need to review right now and you need to click on this link and then once you do that you have viruses downloaded to your computer."   Lynch adds  "they'll use logos they'll use special agents names they'll use the director's photo,  they go to great lengths to try and fool you to try and steal your money.

Officials tell us these internet phishing scams will only become more sophisticated so expect to see the logos the names even official sounding titles.  The criminals that blanket the city with these fake emails are also time sensitive so expect the next round of phishing scams to be claiming it's from the IRS and that something is going on with your tax return.