Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office is warning consumers about an email scam falsely threatening prosecution for unpaid loans, using her office’s name.
The scam emails include an attached “final warning” letter stamped with an official-looking seal that claims the recipient owes money on an outstanding loan, Madigan’s office said.
Madigan’s office said it's investigating the scam after Illinois residents reported receiving the emails from accounts that falsely look like they were sent by a representative of the attorney general’s office.
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The fraudsters claim the recipient must pay off the balance or face prosecution by the office.
“This email is an outright scam,” Madigan said in a statement. “Do not respond to anyone claiming to represent my office with demands for money or threatening prosecution. Instead, call our Consumer Fraud Bureau immediately at 800-243-0618.”
People who applied for loans online may receive the scam email because they gave their personal and financial information to a company that sold it to lenders, or in some cases, illegal fraudsters, the statement said.
Out-of-state residents affected should contact Madigan’s office at 312-814-3000.
