The fake e-mails were sent from a company in Georgia whose computer system was hacked last night, according to the BBB.That firm's computer system generated thousands of counterfeit messages sent to businesses and consumers purporting to be a complaint filed with the BBB.

So far, only one Hawai'i company has reported receiving the fake e-mail, local BBB officials said.

The e-mail has a false return address of operations@bbb.org and a phishing hyperlink citing a BBB complaint case number. Recipients who click on the hyperlink are directed to download a document that is actually an executable file that is believed to be some form of a computer virus, the BBB said.

Dwight Kealoha, chief executive officer for the Better Business Bureau of Hawaii, said anyone who receives an e-mail from the operations@bbb.org address should delete the message immediately without clicking on the link.