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Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias issued a warning that scammers are using sophisticated AI technology, including voice cloning and deepfake videos, to fraudulently access personal information and financial accounts from Illinois residents. The alert highlights four prevalent scam types—deepfakes, romance scams, Ponzi schemes, and affinity scams—and recommends that prospective investors validate identities, verify licenses through BrokerCheck or Investment Adviser Public Disclosure, and avoid suspicious links and attachments.

Two Irish brothers, Patrick and Matthew McDonagh, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for stealing over $400,000 from elderly homeowners across the Northwest and Illinois by posing as home repair contractors. Using high-pressure tactics and false claims of necessary repairs (roof holes, foundation cracks), they defrauded victims in Washington, Oregon, and Illinois of hundreds of thousands of dollars, with one Shoreline, Washington homeowner losing $435,000. The brothers have agreed to make restitution totaling over $1 million to their victims and face sentencing in November 2024, with prosecutors recommending 26 months in prison for each defendant.

An Illinois woman lost nearly $1 million to a "pig butchering" scam, where a fraudster she met online gained her trust over months with romantic gestures and promises of investment returns, then convinced her to send multiple large wire transfers totaling almost her entire life savings. The scammer disappeared with the money, forcing DeMask to sell her home and its contents, leaving her with only $400 and owing taxes and bank debt she cannot pay. The FBI estimates such scams cost Americans nearly $4 billion in 2023, and authorities note that victims who wire money internationally have minimal recovery prospects.

An educational seminar on senior fraud protection is being held Tuesday, September 3rd at Meridian Village in Glen Carbon, featuring a presentation from an Illinois attorney general's office expert on how seniors can protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated scams. State Representative Amy Elik is highlighting the importance of fraud awareness as scams targeting seniors become more complex.

A phishing text scam impersonating the Illinois Tollway has been targeting residents by falsely claiming they have outstanding toll fines and directing them to click malicious links. The Illinois Tollway has confirmed the scam is active and advised customers to ignore such texts and verify any toll issues directly through their official website or customer service line at 1-800-824-7277, with law enforcement now investigating the fraudsters.

This article discusses online dating safety in Illinois, ranking the state 30th for safety among U.S. states, primarily due to high STD rates of 839.2 per 100,000 people annually. The piece mentions various online dating risks including romance scams, catfishing, and dishonest actors, while noting that Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire are the safest states for online dating, whereas Nevada, Alaska, and Georgia pose the greatest risks.

Cybercriminals have expanded text message scams impersonating state electronic toll collection systems across multiple U.S. states (Illinois, Florida, North Carolina, and Washington), with the FBI reporting over 2,000 complaints since early March. The scams use fake government websites and urgent messaging to trick drivers into clicking links and entering personal and financial information, with some scammers also collecting data for additional criminal activities. Symantec researchers recommend state governments increase public awareness campaigns and coordinate with federal agencies to combat these threats, which have also affected Australia, Canada, and Japan.

State Representative Dan Swanson reported on a community scam awareness event held in Alpha, Illinois, organized in collaboration with Farmers State Bank, the Illinois Attorney General's office, and local sheriffs to educate residents—particularly seniors—about various fraud schemes ranging from local to international operations. Swanson emphasized that awareness and simple precautions, such as avoiding unknown calls and protecting personal information, are the best defenses against becoming a scam victim. Additionally, an upcoming senior and veterans fair was announced for September 9 in Macomb to provide health screenings and information from senior service agencies.

Rita Crundwell, former comptroller of Dixon, Illinois, embezzled $53.7 million from the city over 20 years through a secret bank account and falsified invoices, making it the largest municipal fraud case in U.S. history. The theft went undetected due to inadequate internal controls, negligent auditing, and insufficient oversight by bank personnel, city council, and residents. Crundwell used stolen funds to purchase and maintain a prized quarter horse stable.

Edward L. Stief, Jr., a 41-year-old from Effingham County, Illinois, was federally charged with wire fraud, mail fraud, and related crimes for defrauding an elderly victim of over $330,000. Stief exploited his position as the victim's appointed Financial and Healthcare Power of Attorney by moving the elderly individual into his care, gaining access to bank accounts, and persuading him to cash out life insurance policies, with most funds deposited into Stief's personal accounts. The case highlights the vulnerability of seniors to financial exploitation and resulted in federal charges carrying potential sentences of up to 20 years imprisonment.

The Cook County Sheriff's Department is launching an educational program to help seniors recognize and avoid "sweetheart scams," which involve scammers building fake romantic relationships to extract money or personal financial information. In 2023, over 101,000 Americans aged 60+ reported losses totaling $3.4 billion to financial fraud, with Illinois accounting for 2,887 victims and nearly $138 million in losses. Sheriff Thomas Dart advises victims to pause and verify suspicious requests with trusted contacts or law enforcement rather than providing immediate responses or financial access to unknown callers.

Illinois residents are receiving phishing text messages and emails falsely claiming to be from the Illinois Tollway, requesting payment for alleged unpaid tolls and attempting to collect personal information for identity theft. The Illinois Tollway has confirmed these messages are scams and advises customers to delete such texts, verify account information directly through the official website or customer service line, and report the phishing attempts to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

**Event Type:** Scam Awareness Educational Initiative The Palos Park Police Department held a National Night Out event to educate residents about elder fraud, highlighting that seniors in their predominantly elderly, affluent community are particularly vulnerable targets. Key scams discussed included door-to-door service schemes and "grandparent scams," with the FBI reporting that elder fraud caused $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 (up 11% from 2022), averaging $33,915 per victim, though many cases go unreported due to victim embarrassment and fear. Police advised residents to verify caller identities, trust their instincts when something feels off, and be

Illinois Tollway customers received phishing text messages from a "438" area code (Montreal) claiming unpaid toll invoices and urging them to click links to settle balances; the scam, first reported in spring 2024 and resurfacing around July 4th and again on Wednesday, targets I-PASS customers. The Illinois Tollway warned drivers to delete suspicious texts, avoid clicking any links, and report them to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. To protect themselves, customers should verify toll issues directly through the official Illinois Tollway website and watch for red flags like requests for personal information, false urgency, poor grammar, and suspicious sender addresses.

Residents are receiving phishing text messages impersonating the Illinois Tollway, claiming unpaid tolls and requesting payment information via embedded links. Monmouth Police Department Investigator Josh Kramer warns recipients to delete these messages and instead verify toll information directly through the official illinoistollway.com website rather than clicking suspicious links.

Illinois women are being targeted by two prevalent text message scams: a fake banking alert claiming unauthorized charges and requesting account verification information, and a "wrong number" romance scam where perpetrators build emotional relationships before stealing victims' money. The state is also warning of an additional tollway-related texting scam specific to Illinois, emphasizing that victims should not respond to or provide personal information in response to unsolicited messages.

A phishing text scam impersonating USPS has been circulating in Illinois, luring recipients with messages about delivery issues and malicious links designed to steal personal information like Social Security numbers and credit card details. The scam exploits people who are actively expecting packages, making the fraudulent texts appear legitimate at first glance. The article advises recipients to never click links in unsolicited delivery texts, instead tracking packages directly through usps.com, and to remember that USPS does not send text messages about deliveries.

State Senator Paul Faraci and Illinois Attorney General's Office representative Heather Calcara held an educational forum in Danville on July 15th to alert seniors about evolving scams and fraud schemes that exploit technological advances and electronic payment methods. The speakers emphasized that criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated and encouraged seniors to use common sense—such as hanging up on unsolicited bank calls and initiating their own phone calls to verify claims—and to report suspected fraud through the Illinois Attorney General's Consumer Fraud Bureau form or local authorities.

Sebastian Cheleman, a 38-year-old Canadian, was sentenced to over four years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud as part of an international elder fraud scheme operating between April and June 2023. Cheleman and co-conspirators called elderly victims across the U.S. impersonating their relatives, claiming they had been arrested and demanding bail or legal fees; Cheleman directly received over $380,000 from victims and the scheme attempted to steal approximately $750,000 total, with successful thefts reaching around $460,000 for which he must pay restitution. The fraud targeted numerous victims nationwide, including $138,000 from Central Illinois residents who were in

State Representative Kevin Schmidt partnered with the Illinois Attorney General's Office to present fraud prevention education to seniors at an assisted living facility in Millstadt, covering how to protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated scams. Schmidt emphasized the critical need for awareness and proactive measures, and announced a follow-up free presentation scheduled for July 18th at the Millstadt Senior Center.

A resident received a phishing text message impersonating the Illinois Tollway, claiming an unpaid toll of $7.59 with threatened additional charges of $75.90, and nearly fell for the scam before realizing it was fraudulent. The Illinois Tollway warns I-PASS customers to disregard such texts and instead verify account status directly through their website or customer service line at 1-800-UC-IPASS.

This Forbes Tax Breaks newsletter covers multiple tax-related topics, including rising gas prices in Illinois due to a new motor fuel tax, and warnings from the IRS about increasingly sophisticated AI-enabled scams targeting taxpayers and professionals. The article also discusses international tax cases, including the acquittal of 28 Panama Papers defendants and a $350 million tax evasion scheme involving offshore accounts, along with new IRS guidance on corporate stock buyback reporting and proposed regulations allowing direct credit card payments for taxes.

Unsolicited packages from major e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Temu have been delivered to consumers nationwide as part of "brushing scams," where third-party sellers send random items to addresses obtained online to create fake verified-buyer reviews and artificially inflate product ratings. Affected consumers across Minnesota, Illinois, Massachusetts, and other states received unwanted items ranging from baby balloons to military hats and electronics. The Better Business Bureau recommends recipients document incidents, contact retailers to stop deliveries, monitor their accounts for fraudulent reviews and orders, and check credit reports, as the FTC has warned about this deceptive practice for at least a decade.

The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about impersonation scams targeting seniors in Illinois and nationwide, where fraudsters pose as IRS or other government agency officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use tactics such as spoofed caller IDs, fabricated urgent scenarios (false tax debts or refunds), threats of arrest, and demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to pressure victims into immediate action. The IRS advises recipients of unsolicited calls claiming to be from the IRS to hang up immediately and contact legitimate IRS customer service at 800-829-1040 to verify any communications.

The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about impersonation scams targeting seniors in Illinois and nationwide, where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use tactics such as spoofed caller IDs, fabricated urgent scenarios (false tax debts or refunds), threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The IRS recommends hanging up on unexpected calls claiming to be from the IRS, never returning calls using provided numbers, and verifying legitimacy by contacting IRS customer service at 800-829-1040.

Scammers are impersonating toll collection services with phishing text messages claiming recipients owe small amounts (typically $12) with threats of large late fees ($50), directing them to fake payment links to steal personal and financial information. The Better Business Bureau received multiple reports of this scam in spring 2024, including cases targeting travelers in Illinois and Missouri, where scammers falsely claimed to represent toll agencies in states without toll roads or services. Consumers should verify toll balances directly through official agency websites or phone numbers rather than clicking unsolicited text links, and should report suspicious messages to BBB Scam Tracker or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

According to an FBI report, Americans over 60 experienced elder fraud crimes at record levels, with victims losing an estimated $3.4 billion in reported losses. Common scams targeting seniors include the grandparent scam (impersonating grandchildren claiming arrest), sweepstakes fraud requiring upfront payment, gift card serial number schemes, and government imposter fraud. Elderwerks, a Palatine, Illinois nonprofit, is hosting free educational presentations on scam prevention and identity theft protection to help seniors and caregivers recognize and avoid these crimes.

A 72-year-old Michigan woman lost $40,000 after scammers posing as federal agents convinced her that her life savings were at risk due to identity theft and bank insolvency, then persuaded her to withdraw the cash for "safekeeping." When the perpetrators returned a week later seeking additional funds, an alert neighbor reported them to authorities, leading to the arrest of two men from Illinois. Authorities stress the importance of verifying the identities of anyone claiming to represent law enforcement or government agencies before transferring funds or sharing personal information.

A 72-year-old Michigan woman lost $40,000 after scammers posing as federal agents convinced her that her money was at risk due to identity theft and bank insolvency, then persuaded her to withdraw her life savings for "safekeeping." When the two men from Illinois attempted to return a week later for more money, an alert neighbor reported the activity to authorities, leading to their arrest. Authorities urge the public to verify the identities of anyone claiming to be law enforcement or government officials before providing personal information or transferring funds.

The Better Business Bureau has received multiple reports of phishing text messages impersonating toll collection services, demanding payment of small amounts (typically $12) with threats of larger late fees to trick travelers into clicking malicious links and providing personal or payment information. Scammers exploit the fact that road travelers may not track tolls closely, with recent cases including fake messages spoofing the Illinois Tollway and fraudulent "Missouri Toll Services" texts directing payments through SunPass, a Florida-based toll agency that does not operate in Missouri. To avoid these scams, consumers should independently verify outstanding tolls through legitimate agency websites or phone numbers rather than clicking links in unsolicited text messages.

State Representative Jeff Keicher partnered with the Town of Cortland and the Illinois Attorney General's Office to host a free Senior Fraud Protection Event on May 29 at the Cortland Lions Club. Experts from the Attorney General's Office presented information on recognizing scams, stopping targeted fraud, and obtaining assistance for victims of scams or identity theft. The event was designed to educate seniors and their caregivers about protecting themselves from the growing threat of fraud and identity theft in the digital age.

Fraudsters are sending text message phishing scams impersonating toll collection services like the Illinois Tollway and Florida Turnpike, claiming recipients owe small amounts (typically around $12) and threatening $50 late fees to pressure immediate payment. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to verify any toll debt by visiting the official toll service website or calling their customer service line directly rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.

A 37-year-old Illinois man, Ligneshkumar Patel, was charged with stealing $148,000 in gold Krugerrand coins from a 73-year-old Edwardsville woman in March 2024 after scammers posing as PayPal convinced her to purchase the coins with her retirement funds and hand them over to him. Patel, arrested in Wisconsin while attempting to scam another victim, served as the middleman in the scheme and faces two felony counts. Police Chief Michael Fillback warned that such scams targeting vulnerable individuals through fake identity fraud alerts and high-pressure tactics demanding immediate payment have become increasingly common, and advised victims

AARP Illinois is hosting a monthly virtual fraud prevention series featuring expert speakers including the Better Business Bureau, with the first session on May 28 addressing general fraud protection strategies and upcoming sessions covering specific scam types such as travel fraud, mail fraud, internet fraud, romance scams, healthcare scams, and holiday scams. The program aims to educate participants on recognizing and avoiding common fraud schemes to protect their personal information and financial security.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau distributed $15 million in compensation checks to 13,413 Illinois residents who were victims of an online lending scam by Texas-based company Think Finance, which collected payments on loans that were legally void under state interest rate caps and licensing requirements. The settlement, part of a larger $384 million payout across 17 states to 191,000 victims, resulted from a 2017 lawsuit against Think Finance for making illegal electronic withdrawals and debt collection calls on non-existent debts. Affected Illinois residents received an average of $1,100 per check from the CFPB's victims relief fund.

CBS News's "Anything for Love" series documented romance scams on dating apps that facilitate human trafficking, including the case of 57-year-old Laura Kowal from Illinois, who was coerced into financial fraud by a trafficker and was later found dead. The FBI warned in March 2020 that dating apps are being exploited by sex traffickers to target vulnerable people, including children, with an estimated 27.3 million people globally trafficked annually generating $150 billion in profits, and dating app companies have resisted implementing basic safety measures such as background checks and age verification despite multiple convictions of traffickers using their platforms. The author calls for Congress to enact regulations requiring dating

Romance scams on dating apps have escalated into human trafficking schemes, exemplified by the case of 57-year-old Laura Kowal from Illinois, who was coerced into laundering money for a trafficker and was later found dead. The FBI warned in 2020 that dating apps are being exploited by sex traffickers to recruit victims, including minors, with an estimated 27.3 million people globally trafficked annually generating $150 billion in illegal income. Dating app companies like Match Group have resisted implementing basic safety measures such as background checks and age verification despite documented cases of traffickers using their platforms, prompting calls from lawmakers and advocacy groups for Congressional regulation.

CBS News's "Anything for Love" series documented romance scams on dating sites and apps that facilitate human trafficking. A 57-year-old widow in Illinois named Laura Kowal was targeted by a trafficker who coerced her into money laundering before she went missing and was found dead. The FBI reports an estimated 27.6 million people are trafficked globally, generating approximately $140 billion annually, with sex traffickers exploiting dating apps to recruit victims—efforts aided by lax security measures on these platforms.

In 2021, Illinois residents lost over $19.7 million to romance scams across 591 reported cases, with the FBI noting that similar scams cost the U.S. $739 million in preliminary 2022 losses. The FBI identified common red flags including requests to move communication off dating apps, quickly professed love, isolation from friends and family, canceled visit plans, and requests for money or personal information. The agency advises victims to go slow in online relationships, never send money to people met online, verify photos independently, and report suspected scams to the FBI Springfield office or online.

Romance scammers exploit vulnerable people seeking companionship online, extracting billions of dollars through increasingly sophisticated tactics. CBS News investigates this widespread epidemic by following an Illinois woman investigating her mother's death, which appears connected to a romance scam. The report highlights how romance fraud has evolved in the digital age to become a major financial and emotional threat to victims.

Between 2013 and 2018, as many as 25-30 percent of new Match.com members were reportedly using the platform to perpetrate romance scams, according to an FTC lawsuit against parent company Match Group. American victims lost over $1 billion to romance scammers in 2023 alone, with dating apps serving as primary "hunting grounds" for scammers targeting vulnerable individuals, including a case where an Illinois widow lost her life savings of $1.5 million to a fake profile. Despite Match Group's reported $125 million annual investment in trust and safety measures, critics argue the company has not done enough to prevent scammers from accessing the platform

"Smishing" is a text message-based scam combining "phishing" and SMS that tricks recipients into clicking malicious links by claiming unpaid toll balances are due. The FBI issued a warning after more than 2,000 complaints across North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, though Virginia has not yet reported cases; authorities advise never clicking links in unsolicited toll-related texts and instead using official websites or calling legitimate customer service numbers to verify account status.

A 57-year-old retired hospital executive from Illinois lost $1.5 million to a romance scam perpetrated by someone posing as a Swedish investment adviser between October 2018 and August 2020. The victim's daughter, Kelly Gowe, discovered her mother had been victimized after a federal investigator's call and subsequently found a suicide note, motivating her to advocate for romance scam awareness. According to the Federal Trade Commission, over 64,000 Americans were defrauded of more than $1.14 billion by romance scammers in a recent year, with victims often reluctant to report due to shame and embarrassment, though law enforcement emphasizes

Laura Kowal, a 57-year-old retired hospital executive from Illinois, was victimized by a romance scam perpetrated by someone posing as "Frank Borg," a Swedish investment adviser, beginning in October 2018; she eventually went missing in 2020 after losing significant money and being manipulated through sophisticated psychological tactics. Her daughter, Kelly Gowe, discovered her mother's disappearance and subsequently learned that over 64,000 Americans were defrauded of more than $1.14 billion through romance scams in a single year, with victims often too ashamed to report the crime. Gowe has since dedicated herself to raising awareness

An Oak Park, Illinois driver lost $9,800 to a fake online car dealership (MuscleVintageCars.com) while attempting to purchase a 1966 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. The scammer posed as a legitimate dealer offering an escrow service and 10-day inspection period, but after the victim wired payment, the seller claimed a refund problem and never returned the money or vehicle. According to the Better Business Bureau, victims can protect themselves by purchasing from local, trusted dealers they can physically visit or by verifying the legitimacy of online sellers before making payments.

The FBI issued a warning about a "smishing" scam active since March 2024 that uses fake SMS text messages claiming recipients have unpaid toll fees, directing them to fraudulent websites to steal payment information or malware. Over 2,000 complaints were received across three states, including Pennsylvania and Illinois, with scammers impersonating legitimate toll services and threatening late fees. Victims are advised to verify toll balances through official channels, avoid clicking suspicious links, delete fraudulent messages, and report incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

This article is not relevant to elder fraud research. It is a community events calendar listing holiday activities and performances in the Oak Park-River Forest, Illinois area. It contains no information about scams, fraud, elder abuse, or related topics.

This article is not about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. It is a press release from AARP Illinois advocating for legislation (HB 4431) to eliminate Illinois's mandatory extra road test requirement for drivers over 75 years old, arguing that the requirement constitutes age discrimination and is unsupported by safety data showing older drivers have lower crash rates than younger age groups.

In Marion, Illinois, scammers targeting senior citizens at retail self-checkout stations used distraction tactics to steal debit cards. One victim had his card taken after a suspect distracted him by claiming he dropped money, while an accomplice grabbed the card and used it to purchase approximately $7,000-$8,000 in gift cards; a second victim was approached but the scam was unsuccessful. Police Chief David Fitts advised the community to shield their PIN entry, stay aware of their surroundings, and monitor their wallet and purse, as the suspects—described as Middle Eastern or Arabic males speaking fluent English and Russian—remain at large.

An Iowa resident paid approximately $48,000 to Revolution Solar Company in April 2023 for solar panel installation, but the system was not activated for nearly seven months and was found to be non-functional when turned on. The company subsequently went out of business, leaving the customer unable to obtain repairs or pursue the promised insurance coverage that was supposed to address such problems. The Hamilton, Illinois City Council has warned tri-state residents about the company after multiple complaints, and the Better Business Bureau reports a rising trend of solar scams where installed systems fail to meet promised specifications.