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Scam Information

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Common Scams

While scams are constantly changing and evolving, having a basic understanding of how they work can save you and others from potential fraud and other personal loses. Some common precautions to take:

  • Do not call numbers that pop up on your computer screen that claim to be from “Microsoft”. Legitimate customer support will not pop-up on your computer screen.

  • Do not respond to calls from “Amazon” suggesting that your account has been hacked.  Amazon will not ask for your bank account information, or for you to give them gift cards to reset your account.

  • Law enforcement will NEVER call you demanding you to send gift cards to pay-off or settle an arrest warrant. Do not purchase gift cards if instructed by these “Officers”.

  • Do not share personal identifying information over the internet, phone, or email from someone claiming to be from your bank. You can always call your bank directly to verify if they were trying to reach you for account issues. 

  • Do not deposit or cash checks from strangers who request that you forward money to someone else. 

Ruse Scams & Burglaries

  • These are incidents in which a suspect will walk into someone's home for the purpose of stealing jewelry, money, or other valuables during a distraction scam.

  • Suspects often pose as legitimate businesses, wanting to "assess" your house for recent storm damage. While the first suspect distracts you on one side, another suspect will enter the residence on another side, ultimately stealing valuables while you speak with the first suspect.

  • Please remember that any businesses or individuals soliciting in the City of Joliet must be approved and receive a permit through City Hall. Approved solicitors must have the permit with them when soliciting.

COVID-19 Related Scams

  • The FTC has warned of COVID-19 vaccine scammers who try to get your Social Security Number and/or banking info. No legitimate official will call/email you asking for personal info in exchange for being on a vaccine list.

  • The Will County Health Department will NOT ask for money or for you to you pay for something COVID-19 and/or contact testing related.

  • The FTC has more info on coronavirus scam warnings and how to report them at ftc.gov/coronavirus/scams-consumer-advice.

IDES Debit Card Scams

  • Citizens across the US who have not filed for unemployment benefits are receiving fraudulent IDE pre-paid debit cards in the mail with instructions to activate.

  • Joliet Police suggest filing a police report if you have received this card, due to the potential of your personal information being compromised.

  • Call Illinois Department of Employment Security (1-800-814-0513), or visit https://www2.illinois.gov/ides/Pages/UI_Fraud_by_Individuals.aspx for more information.

Storm Damage & Disaster Insurance Scams

  • Local emergency managers will always carry official identification, & proper PPE, when visiting a home that sustained storm damage.

  • Residents should always ask to see ID if they have any questions about the legitimacy of anyone who may approach them.

  • Insurance adjusters must be licensed by the Illinois Department of Insurance.

  • Roofers must be licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

  • NEVER pre-pay for repair services! A good rule to always follow is “if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.”

  • Other post-disaster scams include fraudulent housing inspectors, building contractors, and donation solicitors.

  • If you are contacted and suspect fraud, file a police report and/or contact the Consumer Fraud Hotline at 1-800-243-0618.

  • The FCC has more info on storm & disaster scams; please visit FCC Storm & Disaster Scams

Spoofing Scams

  • Spoofing is when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their identity.

  • Scammers often use neighbor spoofing so it appears that an incoming call is coming from a local number, or spoof a number from a company or a government agency that you may already know and trust.

  • Often the perpetrator will make a phone call that "appears" to be originating from an official government agency, in which the person on the line requests money or requests that the citizen make some other financial arrangement through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or some other source.

  • If you answer, they use scam scripts to try to steal your money or valuable personal information, which can be used in fraudulent activity.

Housing & Rental Scams

  • Scammers use online sources like Facebook Marketplace & Craigslist to post fake rental scams.

  • The scammers will provide a fake lockbox code to access the property keys and provide illegitimate rental agreements via email. 

  • Avoid or investigate the legitimacy of rentals advertised online where all communication is done through email, phone, or text.

  • Be cautious of security deposits & rent being paid to individuals requiring Zelle or Venmo only.

  • Legitimate agencies will have offices and representatives that will meet clients in person.

  • USA.Gov has more info about housing & rental scams at USA.gov

Police-Related Scams & Spam

  • Joliet Police Clothing Scam: On our official social media accounts, scam comments will occasionally appear that usually have unrecognizable names and offer a disguised predatory link where you can "buy" JPD clothing items. These links can give your device viruses/malware and steal your financial info. The Joliet Police Department is NOT selling any clothing items; if we decide to sell merchandise in the future, it will be posted on our official social media. Feel free to report these comments as spam when you see them, and please don't click the link!

  •  Joliet Police Video Spam: On our official social media accounts, spam comments will occasionally appear that usually have unrecognizable names and claim to have "just released" or "video of the incident" regarding incidents we post about. The comments offer a link to click that is an often disguised predatory link that can give your device viruses/malware. Any official news releases from the Joliet Police Department will come directly from us, and will be posted here on our Facebook page or through our Public Affairs Office. Feel free to report these comments as spam when you see them, and please don't click the link!

Cryptocurrency Scams

  • Cryptocurrency scams normally involve scammers contacting you out of the blue demanding or asking you to send them cryptocurrency for various reasons. Scammers use cryptocurrencies because the transactions are irreversible and hard to trace. Do not send any money! Here's some example of common cryptocurrency scams/issues:

    • Someone encourages you to send cryptocurrency to repair a virus on your computer

    • Someone tells you the only way to protect your money is by making deposits to cryptocurrency an ATM

    • Someone asks you to lie to the bank or keep the reason for your cryptocurrency purchase a secret

    • You're in a relationship with someone online who is asking you to send them cryptocurrency purchased at an ATM

    • Someone promised you high returns on a cryptocurrency investment

    • Someone falsely claims to represent a government agency or law enforcement organization, demanding you provide cryptocurrency to satisfy a warrant, a fine, or to post a bond for a relative in jail or prison