Scams In Illinois: Key Statistics Every Resident Should Know

Illinois is used to landing somewhere in the middle of national rankings, but this is one list no state wants to climb. According to an analysis shared with us by Mailgo.ai, Illinois ranks 13th nationally for scam vulnerability, tied with New York.

The study analyzed data from the FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) report, looking at how often scams are reported and how much money residents are losing. The result is what Mailgo.ai calls a “scam effect score,” meant to reflect both frequency and financial impact.

Where Illinois Ranks Nationally

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Mailgo.ai’s analysis places Illinois 13th overall, with a scam effect score of 71.81. That ranking reflects what the study describes as a balance between how often scams are reported and how costly they are to victims.

Scam Complaints in Illinois

Illinois ranks 14th in the country for scam complaints, with about 2.00 complaints per 1,000 residents. That suggests scams aren’t just a rare or isolated issue, they’re happening regularly enough to stand out nationally.

Financial Losses Add Up

On the money side, Illinois also ranks 14th, with residents losing an average of $37.69 per person to scams. Spread across millions of people, that adds up fast.

Why Illinois Stands Out in the Midwest

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The study notes that Illinois is the highest-ranking Midwest state among major population centers, pointing in part to the Chicago metro area’s concentration of financial services and corporate activity. Still, the impact is felt statewide.

What Illinois Residents Should Watch For

Mailgo.ai’s findings align with a broader rise in phishing emails, fake text messages, and online impersonation scams. Messages that create urgency, request payment, or ask for personal information are common red flags.

Bottom line: Illinois isn’t the worst, but it’s high enough on the list to make awareness worth the effort.