The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services is warning residents to beware of potential scams preying on concerns generated by the H1N1 influenza outbreak.
One such scam is a phishing e-mail currently circulating that directs the recipient that he or she must register with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and create their "personal vaccination profile" online. If you receive this e-mail, delete it.
"Nevadans should not provide any personal information online in response to this type of solicitation, and neither the state nor the federal government is requesting that people do so," said Richard Whitley, administrator of the State Health Division.
The e-mail in question has the subject line "Creation of your personal Vaccination Profile" and comes from an e-mail address that appears to be the CDC. It is not. Instead, it takes the person to a Web site that looks like the CDC page and directs them to download a file.
Consumers should also beware of any companies or individuals offering special sanitation services to protect from H1N1. A normal, thorough cleaning of surfaces with a household disinfectant is an effective method of fighting off the flu.
The federal government has also set up a list of fraudulent products being marketed to protect against H1N1 influenza, and that list can be found at http://www.flu.gov.
