Collection Scam Alert Issued by Illinois AG

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is alerting residents about an email scam that uses her office’s name and falsely threatens prosecution to collect on supposed debts.

The emails include an attached "final warning" letter stamped with an official-looking seal that alleges the recipient owes money on an outstanding loan and must pay off the balance or face prosecution.

Madigan’s office said people who have applied for loans online may be at risk for the scam because they have provided their personal and financial information to companies that then sell the information to lenders or, in some cases, illegal fraudsters seeking to use the personal information for profit.

Last month, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum warned consumers about bogus collection emails that appear to come from her office. Those emails began circulating in late April and claimed recipients were delinquent on payday loans and that a payment must be made to avoid legal action.

Consumers were told to click a link, open an attachment or reply. The emails include an Oregon Department of Justice seal and references to state and federal consumer protection laws.

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