#1 Scam Illinois Residents Are Falling For This Month

Scams are always evolving, especially with all the incredible technology and AI we have these days.  There's one scam sweeping the state and you might've already fallen for it.

Wouldn't it be so cool to win thousands of dollars just by entering a contest?  In most cases, on reputable websites, it's legitimate.  When you get an email from a random person saying "you've won!" or "donate to claim your prize", it's definitely too good to be true.  Scammers are just looking to steal your information and drain your bank account for what you're worth.

This is the biggest scam going around Illinois right now: Sweepstakes scams.  Here's how you can tell if you're being targeted or have fallen for it.

#1 Scam Illinois Residents Targeted By This Month

When a sweepstakes contest is fake, you can easily tell when the "company" tells you to pay "upfront fees" or "taxes" before you can claim anything.  If they're also asking for all of your personal information; Social Security Number or banking info before they've even explained what you won, how you can collect your winnings, etc. then you should run.  Do not, under any circumstances, allow someone to steal your personal information!

This "opportunity" and "win" might come during a very difficult time in your life, which is exactly what the scammer is hoping for.  They want you to be vulnerable so they can exploit us and get an early payday.

If you get any emails, texts, or weird links that tell you to enter a contest to win thousands, or even millions, of dollars, delete it.  Don't even open it.

This is just one of many scams we're falling for around Illinois right now.