Short Takes: An E-Mail Address For Reporting Fraud

The association for state securities regulators has created an e-mail address for investors to report suspicions of Internet fraud.

The North American Securities Administrators Association said Friday that it would refer complaints to state regulators and other appropriate agencies.

The Internet is "a real regulatory challenge, because it's growing so fast and you don't know who's behind many of these messages," a spokesman for the association said.

"There are so many people who are new to the Internet who might suspend their disbelief and be suckered by something they believe on the computer screen," he said.

When sending a complaint, investors should forward the suspect message; the Web site, if appropriate; and their home state. The address is cyberfraud nasaa.org.