Scam watch: Beauty queen, energy bills, e-pickpockets

Energy bills – Law enforcement officials are warning the public that a computer virus is being transmitted through emails that appear to be from utility companies. The email says that a utility bill needs to be paid and instructs recipients to click a link to view the bill. People who click on the link have reported that their computers were infected with viruses, according to the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Computer-security advocates caution that people should only click on email links if they are confident they know -- and trust -- the person who sent the email.

Electronic pickpockets – New technology is allowing thieves to steal credit card numbers simply by swiping a small scanning device near a victim’s wallet, the Better Business Bureau said in a recent alert. The devices are able to read information contained in chips contained in about one-third of all U.S. credit cards, the BBB said. The stolen information can be used to make duplicate credit cards, which are then used to make unauthorized purchases. The BBB suggests that consumers protect themselves by using wallets designed to block the reading devices or by asking banks to provide them with credit cards that do not contain the chips.

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