As National Grandparents’ Day approaches, Attorney General Kwame Raoul urges consumers to be aware of scams targeting older adults. Raoul is encouraging people to avoid responding to unsolicited phone calls, emails or text messages, and to hang up immediately if they are suspicious about a call. Attorney General Raoul encourages older adults to be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, emails or texts. Scammers often try to steal money and personal data from older people using the following scams:

• Grandparent/Family Scams: Scammers lie and pretend to be a family member in trouble. They can use artificial intelligence (AI) to copy your family member’s voice to  make urgent requests for bail money, lawyers’ fees, hospital bills and other fake expenses. Don’t answer, call back or send any money before talking to a trusted family member or friend, and consider having a family codeword to use for real emergencies.

• Employment Scams: Legitimate employers will not ask you to pay for an interview, to reformat a resume through a website or to purchase equipment to get a job.

• Romance Scams: Scammers create fake profiles and build online relationships fast, so be wary if your love interest avoids meeting you in person or over video. An online love interest who asks for money is almost certainly a scam artist. You can find more tips on romance scams here.

If you think you are a victim of a scam, call the Consumer Fraud Hotlines:

1-800-386-5438 (Chicago)
1-800-243-0618 (Springfield) 
1-800-243-0607 (Carbondale)
1-866-310-8398 (Spanish-language hotline)