Libertyville, Illinois — Libertyville police are warning residents about government imposter scams targeting people through phone calls and messages.
According to the Libertyville Police Department, the reminder comes as law enforcement agencies nationwide observe “Slam the Scam Day,” an awareness effort focused on preventing common fraud schemes involving callers who claim to represent government agencies or utility companies.
Police say scammers often pretend to be from organizations such as the Social Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, law enforcement agencies, or local utility providers. The callers may claim there is a problem with an account, threaten arrest, or pressure victims to send money immediately.
Authorities say the scammers frequently demand payment through gift cards, wire transfers, prepaid debit cards, or cryptocurrency—methods that are difficult to trace or recover.
Officials emphasize that legitimate government agencies do not demand immediate payment, do not request payment through gift cards or cryptocurrency, and do not threaten arrest over the phone.
Police advise residents who receive suspicious calls to hang up and verify the claim independently by contacting the agency directly using official contact information.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted by a scam is encouraged to report the incident to their local police department and financial institution. Reports involving Social Security scams can also be submitted through the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General fraud reporting system.
Officials say awareness campaigns like Slam the Scam aim to reduce financial losses and help residents recognize the warning signs of fraud.
The reminder may be especially relevant for young workers and students managing finances independently, who are often targeted through urgent payment requests and digital payment platforms.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
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