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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.

Scammers continue sending fraudulent text messages to Illinois drivers claiming unpaid tolls of $12 with pending $50 late fees and directing them to fake websites to collect credit card and bank account information, even after authorities shut down the original website. The Illinois Tollway and federal authorities have been working to stop the scheme, but the automated texts persist as scammers use a "shotgun approach" sending mass messages hoping a small percentage of recipients will fall victim. The FTC reports that imposter scams like this remain a top fraud category, with scammers increasingly favoring text messages and emails over phone calls to initiate schemes.

Illinois State Police Trooper Jason Wilson and AARP Illinois are working to combat fraud in the state, where consumers reported $244.7 million in losses to fraud in 2023. Wilson highlights common scams like phishing emails and fake refund schemes, and recommends preventative measures including not engaging with unknown callers, avoiding suspicious links, using two-factor authentication, and reporting crimes despite potential embarrassment. AARP Illinois is offering a five-part online fraud prevention series with expert speakers to educate the public on recognizing and avoiding elder fraud.

Valerie of Illinois lost nearly $100,000 in a PayPal phishing scam that began with fraudulent billing emails in January 2023. After calling a number in the suspicious emails, a scammer convinced her to download remote access software, then manipulated her account to make it appear he had deposited $100,000 while actually stealing that amount from her savings. She eventually received a full refund in February after local news coverage prompted Blue Ridge Bank to assist, though her initial fraud report from Chase Bank had been declined.

The Illinois Tollway warned customers of a phishing scam involving text messages claiming outstanding toll amounts. Customers should delete suspicious texts and verify any toll issues directly through the official website or customer service line (1-800-UC-IPASS), and report phishing messages to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

As the April 8 solar eclipse attracts tens of thousands of travelers to Missouri and Illinois, scammers are targeting consumers with counterfeit eclipse glasses and fraudulent rental listings, exploiting patterns from the 2017 eclipse when fake glasses and rental scams proliferated online. The Better Business Bureau advises buyers to purchase eclipse glasses only from vetted manufacturers meeting ISO 12312-2 safety standards, verify rental properties exist through address research and reverse image searches, and use credit cards rather than cash transfer apps to protect against deposit fraud. Consumers should report suspicious products and listings to BBB Scam Tracker.

Medicare fraud targeting area seniors involves billing schemes for medical items not received, particularly urinary catheters; in recent cases documented by county aging officials, one senior's fraudulent claim involved 2,000 catheters with Medicare paying $14,613.80 to a fraudulent supplier while the senior's out-of-pocket cost reached $3,728. Similar scams originating from companies in New York, Texas, and Illinois have also targeted seniors with false claims for back braces and other medical supplies. Authorities urge seniors to review Medicare correspondence carefully and report fraudulent activity to Medicare at (800) 633-4227 or Kansas Senior Medicare Patrol at (800) 432-

In 2023, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul identified the top consumer scams affecting state residents, with construction/home repair fraud leading for the third consecutive year (2,091 reports), followed by identity theft (1,885 reports) and consumer debt complaints (1,683 reports). The Consumer Fraud Bureau recovered over $9 million through mediation and $76 million through enforcement actions, and the office received nearly 20,000 written complaints plus tens of thousands of calls. The attorney general recommends residents protect themselves by guarding personal information, changing passwords frequently, and being cautious of unsolicited communications, especially as scammers increasingly use AI technology.

Two men attempted a fundraiser scam at a Chippewa Falls bank on February 15th, claiming to sell candy bars to raise money for a Boys and Girls Club mentorship program and scholarships. When bank employees verified with the actual Chicago-area club, they confirmed the men had no affiliation with the organization. The suspects, one identified as Chris Jefferson from Illinois and the other using a fake name, attempted to collect payments via digital wallets and Square card readers, prompting a statewide warning after similar schemes were reported elsewhere.

The Better Business Bureau of Central Illinois reports a 70% increase in scam reports year-to-date (roughly 100,000 compared to 58,000 last year), with seniors age 65 and older being the hardest hit, experiencing median losses of over $6,000 from romance/friendship scams and sometimes losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. To address this rise, BBB leader Jessica Tharp is launching the Senior Scam Stop 2025 education series to combat the stigma around victimization and empower seniors with knowledge about common scams (including romance plots, grandparent scams, and Medicare fraud) and protective strategies.

The Illinois Department of Revenue warned of a nationwide phishing scam involving fraudulent text messages impersonating state tax agencies and claiming tax refunds have been processed. The scammers pressure recipients to provide banking and personal information or risk losing their refunds, with IDOR clarifying it does not send unsolicited text messages requesting sensitive financial data. Residents are advised to ignore such messages, avoid clicking links, and verify communications directly with IDOR through its website or phone line.

Two men, Danny Piao, 29, of New York City and Chul Paik, 44, of New Jersey, were charged with felony theft for targeting at least 10 elderly residents in Lake County, Illinois through elaborate scams involving fake PayPal and antivirus company emails that tricked victims into withdrawing cash. In one case, an 80-year-old woman lost $17,000, and in another, a Lake Forest resident lost $25,000; investigators used license plate reader technology to identify the suspects' rental vehicle and apprehend them with over $16,000 in cash found in their car. Both suspects were denied pretrial release.

Eight defendants, all Indian nationals except one Ohio resident, were prosecuted for operating a transnational money laundering conspiracy that defrauded victims across Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana of their life savings between May and November 2023. The scheme involved "phantom hacker" scams where fraudsters falsely claimed victims' accounts were compromised, then impersonated law enforcement to pressure victims into transferring funds for supposed "protection," resulting in nearly $4 million in restitution ordered and prison sentences ranging from 2 to 6 years. The last defendant, Kishan Vinayak Patel, 26, received a 46-month sentence after conviction on money

Gabrielle Borthwick, a 23-year-old from New York, pleaded guilty to attempting to deposit $2.7 million in fraudulent checks across Missouri and Illinois banks by using counterfeit cashier's checks, stolen personal information, and fake identification documents bearing her photograph but victims' names. She successfully fraudulently obtained $271,667.98 before banks discovered the scheme, and faces sentencing on December 17 with potential penalties up to 30 years in prison plus restitution. The fraud targeted multiple unidentified victims whose identities were stolen for the account openings.

Eight individuals were sentenced to federal prison for operating an international "phantom hacker" scam that defrauded victims across Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana of tens of millions of dollars between May and November 2023. The conspirators posed as company officials and law enforcement agents to convince victims their financial accounts were compromised, then persuaded them to withdraw cash or gold bars for alleged safekeeping, which was then distributed among the scammers. The defendants were ordered to pay nearly $4 million in restitution, with sentences ranging from 24 to 72 months in prison.

Eight members of a transnational money laundering conspiracy, seven Indian nationals and one Ohio resident, were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 2 to 6 years for laundering proceeds from "phantom hacker" fraud schemes that victimized residents across Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana between May and November 2023. The scam involved fraudsters falsely claiming victims' accounts were compromised, then impersonating law enforcement to pressure victims into transferring their life savings under the guise of account protection. The eight defendants were ordered to pay nearly $4 million in restitution to victims who lost their life savings.

Federal authorities indicted Brookfield resident Ankurkumar Patel, 41, for participating in "phantom hacker scams" that defrauded elderly victims across multiple states of over $1 million. Patel allegedly served as a money launderer in the scheme, physically collecting gold bars and cash from victims who were tricked by scammers posing as government agents and company representatives claiming their identities had been compromised. Specific victims included a Vietnam veteran in Illinois who lost over $1 million in gold bars and a Sheboygan elderly woman who lost $27,500, with additional fraud occurring in Minnesota and Missouri.

Illinois passed a new law in 2024 allowing credit unions to contact a client's "trusted contact" (typically a family member) when fraud is suspected, enabling faster intervention in time-sensitive scams that cost American seniors $4.9 billion that year. While this approach can effectively stop scams more quickly than traditional legal channels, experts caution that banks must carefully request trusted contact information to avoid offending customers and must be aware that scammers are sometimes family members themselves. Financial institutions are advised to frame the conversation around sophisticated scamming tactics rather than the customer's vulnerability, and to establish trusted contact lists before fraud occurs.

Impersonation scams targeting older adults in Illinois and nationwide have increased more than fourfold since 2020, with losses exceeding $100,000 skyrocketing from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024, according to FTC data. Scammers impersonate trusted entities like government agencies, banks, and businesses through urgent calls, texts, or emails, pressuring victims to transfer money, move funds to cryptocurrency, or hand over cash by falsely claiming account compromises, criminal ties to Social Security numbers, or hacked computers. The FTC advises consumers to never send money in response to unsolicited communications, verify contacts through

**Summary:** The Federal Trade Commission warned about a text message scam circulating in Illinois and elsewhere claiming recipients owe late toll fees and threatening legal action or driver's license suspension if unpaid. Scammers use multiple phone numbers to contact victims and attempt to obtain passwords, PINs, credit card, and banking information; the FTC advises those concerned about tolls to contact the tollway agency directly using verified phone numbers or websites rather than responding to unsolicited messages.

**Article:** File taxes early to avoid SCAMS during 2025 tax season Identity thieves exploit compromised personal information to file fraudulent tax returns in victims' names and redirect refunds to their own bank accounts. The IRS recommends filing taxes as early as possible and requesting a six-digit PIN from the IRS to prevent unauthorized filing using your Social Security number. Illinois is also introducing new tax credits and free tax filing options for 2025.

The FBI warns consumers to be vigilant against holiday scams, which proliferate during the shopping season when people are rushed and spending more money. Common schemes include spoofed shopping websites designed to steal payment information, puppy scams advertising fake pets for sale, and fraudulent package delivery texts. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, Illinois residents alone reported over 15,000 scams resulting in $335 million in losses.