General information only. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Grandparent scams
How it works: A caller pretends to be a grandchild, or a lawyer or police officer for them, saying they are in trouble and need money fast.
Warning signs:
- Urgency and a plea to keep it secret
- Requests for gift cards, wire transfers, cash, or cryptocurrency
- A courier offered to pick up cash
What to do: Hang up and call the grandchild or a parent directly on a number you already know.
Medicare and Social Security impostor calls
How it works: Callers claim to be from Medicare or Social Security and say benefits will stop, or offer a new card, unless personal information is confirmed.
Warning signs:
- Requests for a Medicare or Social Security number
- Threats of arrest or suspended benefits
- Demands for payment
What to do: Hang up. Call the agency directly using the number on an official card or website.
Tech support scams
How it works: A pop-up or call warns that the computer is infected and asks for remote access or payment to fix it.
Warning signs:
- A pop-up with a phone number and loud warnings
- Requests to install remote access software
- Payment by gift card
What to do: Do not call the number. Close the browser or restart the computer, and ask a trusted person to check it.
Romance scams
How it works: Someone builds an online relationship over weeks or months, then needs money for an emergency, travel, or an investment.
Warning signs:
- They never meet in person or video chat
- Stories of being overseas or in the military
- Requests for money or investment help
What to do: Never send money to someone you have not met. Talk it over with someone you trust.
Home repair scams
How it works: A contractor shows up unannounced claiming the roof, driveway, or gutters need urgent work, takes a deposit, and does poor work or none.
Warning signs:
- Door-to-door offers and pressure to decide today
- Large cash deposits
- No written contract
What to do: Get written estimates from contractors you found yourself, and never pay in full up front.
AI voice cloning of a family member
How it works: Scammers use a short recording to imitate a loved one's voice on a call asking for urgent help or money.
Warning signs:
- A familiar voice with an unusual, urgent request
- Pressure to act before calling anyone else
- Unusual payment methods
What to do: Hang up and call the person back on a known number. Consider a family code word only family knows.
Where to report in Illinois
- Illinois Attorney General: the Consumer Fraud Hotline and Senior Citizens Consumer Fraud Hotline take scam reports. Find current numbers on the Attorney General's official website.
- Local police non-emergency line: report a scam, especially if money or personal information was lost.
- Adult Protective Services: report suspected financial exploitation of an older adult through the Illinois Department on Aging's Adult Protective Services hotline.
If money was sent, also call the bank or card company right away. For prevention steps, see how to protect a parent's accounts.