Secretary of State Scams Target Illinois Residents

Illinois residents are increasingly receiving text messages and emails from scammers claiming to be from the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State advising them that there is an issue with their driver’s license or that they have discovered an irregularity in their personal information.

These messages request that the person provide information such as their driver’s license number, date of birth, address, phone number and social security number. The latest of these messages replicate the Secretary of State’s website. The message usually includes a warning that the failure to provide the requested information will result in the ‘termination’ or ‘cancellation’ of the person’s driver’s license. Anyone who receives such a message should be aware that they are the target of a scam. These text and email messages do not originate from the Illinois Secretary of State’s office. The Secretary of State does not email or text individuals seeking personal information. DO NOT CLICK ON ANY LINKS OR PROVIDE ANY OF THE REQUESTED INFORMATION. When there is an issue regarding your driver’s license, the Secretary of State will always send a letter to your last known address requesting that you contact the Secretary of State. You can submit a screenshot of the message to ScamAlert@ilsos.gov. It is recommended that you then delete the email or text message. If you are the victim of identity theft, you may contact the Illinois Attorney General’s Identity Theft Hotline at (866) 999-5630.

Here is a sample of one of the scams: