Police: Scammers pretending to be with the state hunt personal information via text, email

Local police are warning residents of scammers using text and email to impersonate state officials.

The Wilmette Police Department is one of many to recently field reports by residents duped by a digital message claiming to be from the Illinois Secretary of State.

The reported victim in Wilmette responded to a text message asking them to click a link to renew their driver’s license.

“The scammers are hoping that you will provide personal information such as your full name, date of birth, social security number, driver’s license number, etc.,” says a release from the Wilmette Police Department. “With this information, these scammers will have obtained the information needed to commit identity theft or obtain access to your credit/bank accounts.”

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White issues a statement on the scams in late May, saying that some of the fraudulent messages even use official state logos.

The release from White’s office said the Secretary of State will “never” request personal information like a social security number through a text or email.

“Delete the text or email,” White said in the statement. “Do not click on them and do not provide any of your personal information.”

The Wilmette Police Department echoed White’s words, adding that a link could lead to malware infiltrating your phone.

“If you do provide personal information, Wilmette Police recommend filing a police report and place a credit alert with one of the three credit bureaus,” the release says.

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