State Representative Amy Elik is warning constituents about a phishing scam going around. The most recent scam is a texter pretending to be the “Illinois Toll way” and requesting a specific amount of money, as seen in the picture below.
Rep. Elik is reminding constituents who receive this message to file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and delete the message.
“Phishing scams are become more complicated and realistic. It’s more important than ever to be diligent and responsible when giving out personal information,” said Elik. “If you are not completely certain of a source, do not give out any personal information.”
Phishing email messages, websites and text messages are designed to steal money. Text Phishing is the practice of sending fraudulent text messages that are disguised as legitimate and often include company logos that look real.
A common online phishing scam starts with a text message that looks like an official notice from a trusted source, such as a credit card company or reputable online merchant. In the text message, recipients are directed to a fraudulent website or asked to open an attachment that may contain potential email viruses or ask for personal information. The information obtained is then usually used for identity theft.