Scam alert! If you didn't just buy a ticket, don't open that email!

Be aware! There's a widely circulating email scam out there disguised as an airline purchase confirmation email. This email informs you that you've just bought an airline ticket and directs you to click on the attachment to print out the ticket details.

As you know you didn't just purchase an airline ticket, naive users may be inclined to click on the attached file. But don't do it! This attachment is a .zip file attachment containing a nasty virus.

"Customers should be aware that these e-mails are not coming from the airline," said Al Lenza, NWA's vice president for e-commerce. "NWA itineraries are specific and contain information that customer will recognize. If the format does not look familiar to you, and you have not recently purchased a ticket, do not open the attachment. Delete the e-mail right away."

The scam email has been sent under most US airline brands, including Northwest Airlines, Continental Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, US Airways, Allegiant Air, Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines and Midwest Airlines.

Again, if you get an airline purchase email and you have not purchased a ticket, delete the email immediately!

So, who's the idiot to blame? Some Russian, it appears - and I have to admit, I'm kinda impressed a Ruskie hacker knows who Sun Country, Allegiant and Midwest Airlines are!

Heck, I'd bet you most Americans don't even know who those airlines are!

NWA , Sun confront virus-toting email [Minneapolis Star]