Chicago, IL – Holiday shoppers across Illinois are being urged to stay vigilant as the FBI highlights new cyber and financial scams expected to surge this season. With online shopping at peak levels, federal officials say deceptive offers and fraudulent schemes are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
According to the FBI, scammers often exploit holiday urgency, presenting deals that appear too good to be true or creating fake online storefronts to steal money and personal information. Officials stressed the importance of verifying sellers, avoiding unsolicited links, and using secure payment methods when shopping online.
The FBI Chicago field office recently met with FINRA as part of its Cyber & Financial Crime Threat Briefing Series to review some of the most prevalent tactics criminals allegedly use to target Illinois consumers. During the briefing, officials discussed emerging trends involving phishing emails, fraudulent investment schemes, and social engineering attacks designed to obtain sensitive financial data.
Agents say residents should take extra precautions through the end of December, when fraud complaints typically increase. The bureau encourages consumers to review federal guidance at fbi.gov/holidayscams and report suspicious activity to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
The agency emphasized that early reporting plays a key role in preventing additional victims and helping investigators track criminal patterns across the region.
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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