WebProNews

The FBI and the greeting card industry are warning people of fraudulent emails that claim to contain an electronic greeting card from an anonymous individual, such as a "friend" or "classmate."

The fraudulent emails, which claim to be from legitimate greeting card companies, tell consumers to click on a link in the email message to view their e-card. Clicking on the link can possibly expose a person's computer to a virus.

"If you get an e-mail claiming you've received an e-card from a generic 'friend' or 'family member' rather than from someone whose name or personal e-mail address you recognize, the e-mail is fraudulent and should be immediately deleted," says John Hambrick, Unit Chief of the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

"Do not follow any of the instructions in the e-mail or click on any link."

For people who are not sure if an e-card notice is legitimate, the Greeting Card Association recommends that they go directly to the publisher's Web site to receive an e-card, instead of clicking on the link in the email.

People who receive the fraudulent emails can file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

The Federal Trade Commission has also been notified of the scam.