We have been made aware of recent phishing attempts impersonating the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) via email and text message. Please see this note from IDES for more information.
Phishing is a type of scam in which a scammer tries to get you to enter your personal information into a website that looks like one you trust. Be wary of messages and emails that use urgent language, or direct you to website URLs that you do not recognize. If you are unsure whether a message is legitimate or not, contact the sender through a known, verified method to confirm it. Please be careful and protect your personal information.
Illinois Technology Services offers these tips for avoiding scams:
- Be cautious. Don’t automatically trust an email message or phone call. Scammers can fake company logos, sender information, and even phone numbers to trick you.
- Don’t give out personal information publicly. Scammers look for ways to make their communications seem more legitimate. For example, a scammer could earn your trust by mentioning something you shared on social media. Limit the personal data you reveal, and don’t assume an email that includes your personal information is genuine.
- Check into emails or phone calls asking for immediate action. Even if an email seems to come from a company you trust, type the company’s website address into your browser or use a known, verified phone number to call back.
