The Nevada Consumer Affairs Division is alerting consumers to watch out for Phishing scams, an insidious type of scheme that hits consumers where it hurts the most: their finances. 

“In this troubled economic climate, we are seeing a resurgence of financial scams,” says Consumer Affairs Commissioner James E. Campos.  “Phishing scams - cons in which thieves steal consumers’ personal identity data and financial account information using phony e-mail messages or websites - are on the rise, and we don’t want Nevadans to get caught in that net.”

Phishers typically target online bankers.  The scam usually works like this:

A customer receives an e-mail message that looks like it’s from their bank.

The e-mail requests updated personal information, such as passwords or credit card data, and the message includes a link.

The link seems seem to go to the customer’s bank, but instead takes the customer to a phony site created by scammers trying to access the customer’s bank

accounts or credit cards.

Commissioner Campos adds, “This is an extremely devastating scam, but there are ways that consumers can protect themselves.”  According to the Anti-Phishing

Working Group, there some basic precautions consumers can take to make sure they don’t become victims of this crime.

Be wary of email messages containing urgent requests for personal financial information.

If you don’t know the sender or something looks off, don’t use the links in an e-mail or instant message.

Don’t fill out forms in e-mail messages that ask for personal financial information.

Make sure you’re using a secure website when you submit credit card data or other personal information. 

Check your online accounts regularly.

Check your bank, credit and debit card statements for accuracy.

Check your credit report to see if accounts have fraudulently been opened in your name.

If you’re a victim of Phishing, don’t hesitate to take action.  First, forward the phony e-mail to the appropriate authorities: reportphishing@antiphishing.org and the

Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov .  Always include the entire original email with its original header information intact when you forward the message. 

Second, contact the three credit bureaus and ask them to place a fraud alert on your account.  Finally, contact The Internet Crime Complaint Center of the FBI by filing

a complaint on their website at www.ic3.gov/default.aspx  as well as your local enforcement agency.

Fore more information, visit www.antiphishing.org/index.html .  In addition, Commissioner Campos encourages consumers to visit the Fight Fraud Website at

http://fightfraud.nv.gov .  “The site includes extensive tips on how to prevent fraud and provides downloadable complaint forms to help you respond effectively if you

become a victim,” says Campos.  “Visit it regularly for the latest fraud alerts.”