Top 5 Craziest Scams You Need To Avoid In Illinois This Year

There have been some truly bizarre scams that have taken place in the state of Illinois over the years.

I've been getting so many spam and scam calls lately from different area codes, it's ridiculous.  I remember when I worked for a police department for a few months and the amount of reports we took about someone getting scammed was shocking!

The most common scams you typically hear about are these:

- Phishing/Hacking emails

- Fake Tech Support calls

- Someone claiming they're from the IRS or Government

- Threatening phone calls saying you have a warrant for your arrest

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I never thought in a million years someone would fall for a scam like the stories I've heard from people.  These all happened in Illinois and some scammers are still using these techniques to get hundreds, even thousands, of dollars out of you.

Let's NOT get scammed this year.  Here are 5 crazy scams to watch out for.  If they seem too good to be true, TRUST. YOUR. GUT!

#1: Gift Card Scams

If someone calls or messages demanding you send them hundreds of dollars in gift cards in exchange to "clear your name", DON'T DO IT.

They'll instruct you to buy Walgreens, Target, Walmart, or even Best Buy gifts cards then try to "blackmail" you.

#2: Jail/Prison Phone Scams

If you get a phone call from a "lawyer" or jail employee saying your loved one got booked and needs bail money wired to the lawyer, DON'T DO IT.  It's not your local jail, it's a scammer.

Your loved one is safe and you should NEVER wire money to anybody you don't know.

#3: Military Ball Scams

If you get a friend request on Facebook from someone who says they're in the military and have 0 friends on Facebook other than you, BLOCK THEM ASAP.  It'll seem like they're interested in you, but then ask you for money to attend a "Military Ball."

I know far too many people who have fallen for this.

#4: Celebrity Scams

We all have a favorite celebrity we follow on social media.  If your "favorite celeb" privately messages you on Facebook saying they'll wipe away all your debt if you send them thousands of dollars, DON'T DO IT.

Celebrities will NOT message you personally asking for money, remember that.

and my absolute favorite, #5: Grocery Store Scams

If someone stops you at a grocery store with a briefcase "full of money" they won and want to share with you, KEEP WALKING.  They typically will ask you to show you're "trustworthy" by giving them money first...

That's when you call the police.

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It just goes to show that you can never be too careful when it comes to protecting yourself from fraudulent schemes.  Take the steps to make sure you and your loved ones aren't falling victim this new year!