Dear UIS Community,
The University of Illinois Springfield Police Department wants to alert you to a recent fraudulent phone scam聽targeting members of the surrounding community. These scams involve callers falsely identifying themselves as law enforcement officials from surrounding jurisdictions聽and claiming the recipient is involved in an ongoing criminal investigation and/or legal matter.
In each reported case, the caller attempts to coerce the victim into making a monetary payment聽to avoid arrest or being named as a suspect in a fictitious investigation.
Please be advised: This is a scam.聽No legitimate law enforcement officer will ever request or accept payments over the phone to resolve any legal issue.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Verify Before You Act: If you receive a call from someone claiming to be law enforcement, do not provide any information or payment. Instead, hang up and contact the agency directly using verified contact information.
- Know the Red Flags: Common tactics include:
- Claims of urgent legal trouble
- Requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or digital apps
- Pressure to act immediately or keep the call confidential
- Do Not Share Personal Information: Never give out your Social Security number, banking information, or other sensitive data over the phone to an unverified caller.
- Report Suspicious Calls: If you believe you have been victimized by this or any other scam, be sure to get in touch with the appropriate law enforcement agency immediately or contact 天美传媒 Springfield Police department at uispolice@uis.edu or (217) 206-6690.
Reminder:
Credentialed law enforcement officials will not聽attempt to resolve legal matters or investigations by requesting payment over the phone. When in doubt, always verify the legitimacy of any unexpected communication.
Your awareness is essential in helping to keep the UIS community safe.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the UIS Police Department.
Stay safe,
UIS Police Department
Phone: (217)206-6690
Emergency: (217)206-7777
TTY: (217)206-7510
E-mail: uispolice@uis.edu