The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers of a new scam targeting potential players of the new Pokémon GO app. The latest is a phishing email that fools victims into thinking they need to pay for the game, according to the BBB. Users receive an email addressed to Pokémon GO players informing them that the app is no longer free. The message reads: "due to the overwhelming response to our new Pokémon GO app and the need for more powerful servers we can no longer afford to keep your account as free." The email then instructs players that their account will be frozen unless they agree to pay a monthly fee of $12.99. Players are then instructed to click a link, log in to the app store and purchase the "full version." This is a scam. According to the BBB, the log-in form isn't run by an official app store or Ninatic Labs, the game's developers. It's on a third party site, and it is a way to steal users' passwords.
The BBB offers these tips to spot a phishing scam:
Be wary of unexpected emails that contain links or attachments.
Check the reply email address.
Don't believe what you see.
Consider how the organization normally contacts you.
Be cautious of generic emails.
More information available here.