DETROIT -- Crafty con artists could be using America Online's name to get their hands on your personal information.

The e-mail scam looks legitimate. The message warns users that there is a problem with their account, and provides a link with more information.

However, when a user clicks on the designated link they become victims of a spam e-mail scam.

Gary Hebb fell victim to the message's request.

The request at the site spares little private information -- requesting everything from Hebb's bank account number to his mother's maiden name.

"It was a very official AOL-looking document that they wanted me to fill in my name, my address, my social security number," Hebb said.

The message, claiming to be from Internet service provider America Online, is a new breed of an old scam. Computer-savvy con-artists create dummy Web sites set up to look like respected companies, then use AOL's name to lure victims in.

A Local Four producer received a similar e-mail supposedly from AOL. The message said dozens of roses had been charged to the producer's account and instructed the reader to "click here" if the purchase was unauthorized. The "click here" link went to what resembled the 1-800-FLOWERS Web site, and was wanting to get a little more personal than the producer liked.

The site was fake -- a clever ploy to get more personal information from unsuspecting 'net surfers.

An easy way to spot a fake Web site is by the Web address -- it is usually not the company's real address on the net.

Hebb believes AOL should do more to protect its customers.

"AOL has kind of taken a cavalier attitude about it. They are not really going back to their client base saying there is a problem," Hebb said.

After Local Four alerted America Online of the problem, the phony Web sites were removed.

AOL stresses their employees will never ask for your password or other private information online.

If a message seems suspicious, Internet users should report the sender to their Internet provider immediately.