Illinois scams

If you've gotten a text telling you that your delivery is being held up until you get them further information, or that you owe lots of money due to missed tolls with your I-Pass, don't respond or click. It could cost you your money and your identification.

There have always been scams involving animals, but the pandemic was when one of the nastiest animal-based scams really got rolling. People were looking for animal companionship, and scammers were quick to realize they could take advantage of those looking for the perfect dog. The problem is that the scam works so well, it's never gone away. It's just gotten bigger.

At this point, it's gotten to where we see AI everywhere and everyday. All sorts of consumer technology brags about being powered by AI---but keep in mind that all sorts of scams are also now being powered by AI, too.

As we move through spring toward summertime, all sorts of musical acts are hitting the road on concert tours throughout the country. Ticket sales will be huge, and that kind of money attracts scam artists who move in to try to get your money while giving you nothing...especially concert tickets.

Spring is an opportunity for scammers to capitalize on all the home improvement projects you've been neglecting.

If you get a text from "USPS" saying your package couldn't be delivered due to an invalid zip code, do not fall for it.

Tax season in Illinois and elsewhere officially begins this coming Monday, January 27th, and the tax deadline this year is on the traditional date of April 15th. In between those two dates, con artists will employ all sorts of schemes in the coming weeks to steal your money, personal identity information, and peace of mind.

Taking a call from an unknown number and/or source can be a real problem, regardless of where the call is coming from. It gets even worse when you take a call from one of several area codes that are known to be used by phone scammers. Just answering could cost you some serious money.

AI, or artificial intelligence, is literally everywhere. Advertisers are pushing phones with built-in AI, businesses are using AI in ways they never thought were possible, and the scam artists who want to steal your money and personal information have found ways to use it, too. That's not a good thing.

The Puppy Scam isn't back---because sadly, it's never gone away since scam artists figured out that they can bilk people out of their money year after year. This year, the Puppy Scam is taking more money than ever before, and leaving sadness and anger in its place.