(Springfield, Illinois) — Illinois residents are being targeted by a new wave of text message scams impersonating the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, Secretary Alexi Giannoulias warned.
Scammers are falsely claiming that vehicle registrations and driver’s licenses will be suspended starting Friday, January 17, in an attempt to steal personal and financial information.
- Scammers are sending fraudulent text messages posing as the Illinois Secretary of State.
- These messages falsely threaten suspension of driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations.
- The Secretary of State’s office does not request personal information via text message.
- Residents should report suspicious texts to the Federal Trade Commission.
The Illinois Secretary of State’s office never sends text messages requesting personal or financial information, according to a statement released by Giannoulias. Recipients are advised not to respond to these messages or click on any links contained within them.
The Secretary of State’s office clarified that it does not send text messages regarding driver’s licenses, vehicle registration, or outstanding debts. The only legitimate text messages sent by the office are appointment reminders for visits to DMV offices.
Background and Context
This is not the first time Illinois residents have been targeted by such scams. At the end of December, the Secretary of State warned of similar fraudulent activity, noting that scammers were particularly active during the holiday season. These schemes exploit anxieties about official government actions to trick individuals into divulging sensitive data.
“The Illinois Secretary of State’s office never sends text messages requesting personal or financial information. Recipients should not respond to these messages or open any links found in unsolicited text messages or emails,” Giannoulias stated.
What This Means for You
If you receive a suspicious text message claiming to be from the Illinois Secretary of State, do not engage with it. Do not click any links, and do not provide any personal or financial information. Instead, report the message to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by visiting reportfraud.ftc.gov. Remaining vigilant and reporting these scams can help protect yourself and others from becoming victims of fraud.
