Law enforcement in Chicago is sounding the alarm on a fast-growing scam that’s draining seniors’ life savings — and the tactics are more convincing than ever.
According to a recent report from ABC7 Chicago’s I-Team, police say criminals are increasingly posing as tech support representatives, government officials, and even law enforcement officers to convince victims they owe money or that their accounts are at risk. Once the scammer has established that false sense of authority, the pressure campaign begins.
How the Scam Works
These imposter scams follow a familiar and calculated pattern. A caller or pop-up message claims there’s an urgent problem — an unpaid bill, a compromised bank account, a warrant for arrest — and demands immediate action. The goal is to create panic so the victim doesn’t stop to think it through.
Once that urgency takes hold, victims are often pressured into extreme measures. Per the ABC7 report, scammers have coached victims into emptying their savings accounts, purchasing gift cards, depositing money into cryptocurrency ATMs, or even buying gold that is later picked up in person by a courier working with the scammer. Each of these payment methods shares one thing in common: once the money is sent, it is virtually impossible to recover.
The Red Flags to Watch For
The good news is that these scams rely on a small set of predictable tactics. If you know what to look for, you can shut them down before any money changes hands.
Urgency is a warning sign, not a reason to act fast. Scammers manufacture emergencies because a calm, thinking victim is much harder to manipulate. Any caller who insists you must decide right now should be treated with suspicion.
Real government agencies and businesses don’t operate this way. No legitimate government official, bank, or tech company will ever demand payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer. If someone asks for payment in any of these forms, it’s a scam — full stop.
Never grant remote access to your computer. Tech support scams frequently ask victims to install remote-access software, giving the scammer direct control of the device and everything on it.
Don’t click links in unexpected messages. Unsolicited texts, emails, or pop-ups claiming urgent account problems are a primary entry point for these scams. When in doubt, don’t click — contact the company directly using a number or website you already know is legitimate.
What To Do If You’re Targeted
If you receive a suspicious call or message, hang up or close it immediately. Don’t engage, don’t negotiate, and don’t provide any personal or financial information. If you’re unsure whether a threat is real, the safest next step is to call your local police department directly — not a number provided by the caller.
Scammers are counting on confusion and fear to override good judgment. Staying informed is the single most effective defense — for yourself and for the older adults in your life.
Get your guide today: Wise to the Con: The Seniors Guide to Becoming ScamProof