Lockport, IL – Residents across Lockport and the surrounding Will County area are being warned about a new phishing scam after city officials reported fake emails impersonating municipal departments this week. The alert affects anyone who may receive messages appearing to come from a Lockport planning address.
According to the City of Lockport, the fraudulent emails are being sent from an address formatted as planning.cityoflockport.net@usa.com. Officials say the messages are designed to look legitimate and may include documents, links, or requests that appear to originate from the city’s Planning and Zoning Department. The city confirmed the emails are not authentic and are the result of an ongoing phishing attack replicating official forms and content.
City staff warned residents not to click any links, download attachments, or reply to the sender. The scam may attempt to collect personal information or install malicious software on devices. Officials also emphasized that legitimate city emails will not come from a usa.com domain.
Anyone who receives one of these fraudulent messages is urged to notify the city immediately. According to the announcement, residents can report suspicious emails directly to City Administrator Lance Thies at lthies@lockport.org. Screenshots or forwarded copies may assist the city in tracking the scope of the phishing attempt.
Local officials say addressing the issue quickly is critical to preventing financial loss, identity theft, or unauthorized access to personal accounts. Surrounding communities in the southwest Chicago metro area are also encouraged to stay alert, as phishing campaigns often broaden beyond the initial target area.
Residents are encouraged to double-check sender details on any unexpected city-related emails and verify authenticity through the official City of Lockport website or phone line.
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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