Elderwerks Senior Resource Directory 2025/2026

ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL – TIPS TO PREVENT CONSUMER FRAUD

TOP 5 SCAMS & TIPS TO PREVENT CONSUMER FRAUD

HEALTH CARE SCAMS

WHAT YOU CAN DO

TELEMARKETING/ONLINE SCAMS • A promoter markets a health care product as a quick, effective cure-all that remedies many diverse ailments. • A help product is advertised with impressive, but undocumented results. • Promotions are written in medical jargon that you don’t understand to hide deficiencies of their claims. • A health clinic requires you to travel and stay far from home during treatment. • A health product is advertised as a scientific breakthrough, miraculous cure, exclusive product, ancient remedy or as containing a secret ingredient. • A promoter tells you there is a conspiracy to suppress the product by health care companies and doctors. • Upfront payment is required • You are promised a no-risk, money-back guarantee. • You receive an unsolicited call from an unknown person or phone number. • You get an email from your financial institution asking for sensitive account information. • A pop-up message directs you to a website prompting you to update or verify account information. • A solicitor offering you a travel package, get- rich-quick scheme, recovery of previously scammed money, or savings on phone services, electricity, or other utilities. • You receive an email or pop-up message asking for passwords or personal identification numbers (PINs) • You win the lottery or a “free” gift, vacation or prize but must pay for shipping and handling, processing, taxes, or other charges. • You must send money, give a credit card, provide a bank account number, or have a check picked up by courier before you have had a chance to carefully consider the offer. • A utility contacts you and demands payment to prevent suspension of service.

• Ask a pharmacist, doctor or health professional about the product or service before purchasing or using it. • Contact the office of the Attorney General’s Health Care Bureau at 1-1877-305-5145 ( TTY:1-800-964-3013) for more information or to report a scam.

HELPFUL INFORMATION

WHAT YOU CAN DO

• Reduce the number of telemarketing call you receive by signing up for the national Do Not Call Registry. • Visit donotcall.gov or call the Do Not Call Registry: 1-888-382-1222 (TTY:1-866-290-4236). • Hang up the phone and do not answer subsequent calls from the scammer’s number. • Ignore the emails, and do not click unknown links in emails. Do not open attachments if you do not know who sent them or why. • Refrain from providing personal or financial information to unsolicited callers or messages. • Report the incident to local law enforcement and the Office of the Attorney General. • Hang up the phone and contact your utility company directly before providing payment information. • Only answer calls from people you know. • Limit incoming calls to only approved numbers. • Let your answering machine answer. If a number is left for you to return the call, go online and verify that the number is from the company they say they’re with.

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