Frankfort, IL – Residents in Frankfort are being warned to stay alert after police reported a surge in scam text messages claiming recipients owe money for unpaid parking tickets.
According to the Frankfort Police Department, several residents have recently reported receiving text messages demanding payment for supposed parking violations. Police say the messages are fraudulent and are not connected to any legitimate government agency.
Authorities emphasized that government agencies do not request payments via text message. Police also stressed they will never ask for payments through Bitcoin, gift cards, or money transfer services—common tactics used by scammers to avoid detection.
The department is urging anyone who receives these messages not to respond and not to click on any links included in the texts, as doing so could expose personal or financial information. Instead, residents are encouraged to delete the message immediately.
Scam attempts like these often increase around the start of the year, when scammers take advantage of post-holiday expenses and confusion over potential fees or fines. Police say the messages are designed to look official and create a sense of urgency to pressure victims into paying quickly.
Frankfort is located in Will County, southwest of Chicago, and police are asking residents throughout the area to help spread the word by sharing the alert with friends and family—especially older adults who are frequently targeted by scams.
Anyone who believes they may have interacted with the scam or shared personal information is encouraged to contact their bank and report the incident to local police. Suspicious messages can also be reported to the Federal Trade Commission.
Police say awareness is one of the strongest tools in preventing scams before they spread further.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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