After learning of a possible email hoax, the Better Business Bureau in Bryan is warning area residents to be careful when opening email attachments.

The bogus email from UPS or FedEx is alerting consumers they have a shipment that cannot be delivered.

In the email, recipients are directed to open an attachment, but officials are warning people not to open it because the attachment contains a virus.

Larry Lightfoot with the Better Business Bureau office in Bryan says if the attachment is opened, the sender may be able to retrieve personal data stored on the computer hard drive.

While UPS may send emails to its cumstomers, officials say they rarely include attactments.

If you have received an email and aren't sure if it's authentic, you should call your local UPS office.