By Dee Longfellow
For The Independent
As if we’re not going through enough with a pandemic, a struggling economy and job losses, to top it off, there are the scams.
The Independent has previously shared news about the many instances of persons stealing another’s identity in order to apply for unemployment benefits through the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).
Now Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul reports that there are text message scams circulating that have to do with the new federal “Real ID” requirements.
Beginning Oct. 1, 2021, Illinois will institute the “Real ID Act” requiring residents to provide a driver’s license or state ID that complies with “Real ID” specifications at airport security and other places.
However, scammers, claiming to be from the IDES, are reportedly sending text messages, asking residents to click on a link that will update their state ID or license.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul reminds Illinois residents that the IDES will never request personal information by text, nor ask about updating your ID via text.
Residents are urged to delete any such messages and to hang up any calls that request any personal information, such as bank account numbers and Social Security numbers. Raoul also urges people to keep their phones and computers updated with the latest anti-virus software.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has instructed the Secretary of State Police and other law enforcement authorities to launch an investigation into the scam.
