(December 5, 2012)--A phishing scam is targeting businesses across the country by pretending to be the Better Business Bureau.

The BBB says official-looking emails claim that a complaint has been registered against your business and then directs you to download and complete a form that is attached.

The scam artist could also provide a link that is supposed to make the form look like it is available to view.

The BBB says the “attached form” is actually an executable file that will put a virus on your computer system. After the virus is downloaded, a message pops up offering to clean the viruses off of the computer for a small fee.

Scammers can then steal your money if your payment information is entered.

According to the BBB, not only are the links in the e-mail dangerous but the malware as well, since it routes your browser to a website where new malware is dropped.

The malware is written is such a way that it usually passes by anti-virus software undetected, the BBB said.

To protect yourself and your business the BBB says recipients of any e-mails that appear to come from the organization should always check with their local office to confirm the legitimacy of the email and not feel pressured by response deadlines.

A sample of the email and an official link to the nearest BBB office can be found on their website.