Yang Rohr Warns Residents of New Virtual Scams Targeting Illinoisans

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – In order to protect residents from fraud, state Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, D-Naperville, is alerting residents to be cautious of potential scams that have been increasingly directed at Illinois residents.

“Unfortunately, even during the pandemic, scammers and other bad actors still try to take advantage of others,” said Yang Rohr. “It’s crucial that individuals stay informed about what information is real and what is false, and to always use extreme caution if asked to give out personal information on phone calls or online.”

Yang Rohr is bringing attention to two scams that were recently announced by Secretary of State Jesse White.

In the first scam, individuals have reported receiving unsolicited text messages, claiming to be from the Illinois Secretary of State. The text messages contain vague references to “problems with your information” and another reference that takes individuals to a fraudulent website. In the second scam, fraudulent websites are offering online vehicle registration renewals for license plate stickers and then charging residents an additional fee for the registration.

Individuals who believe they have been defrauded by any of these schemes are encouraged to contact their credit card company to dispute the extra fee charge. If you have questions about text message scams or identity theft, call the Illinois Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Hotline at 800-386-5438.

“Always be cautious if you receive unsolicited text messages or calls, and never click on a suspicious link sent from an unknown number,” said Yang Rohr. “I encourage all individuals to follow the steps laid out by the Secretary of State’s office, and delete unsolicited emails and texts and hang up on any calls that prompt you to provide personal information. You should always ask to use other types of identifiers besides your Social Security number, and keep your electronic devices up-to-date with the newest antivirus software.”