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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Illinois Consumer Expert Warns Caller ID Spoofing on the Rise

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Wednesday, June 25, 2014   

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - If you have received this type of phone call, you probably are being spoofed:

"Don't disregard this message, and do return the call before we take any legal allegation against you."

Illinoisans are reporting receiving calls that appear to be from a local business, utility company or the Internal Revenue Service, but Steve Bernas, president and chief executive of the Better Business Bureau, said the callers actually are scammers in disguise. These callers have purchased lists of cell and home phone numbers, he said, and are using "robo-call" capabilities to randomly dial.

"A caller ID can be spoofed, which means that they can be changed by a computer program," he said. "So, we're hearing a lot of calls from consumers who say they are being victimized by organizations or entities with fake caller IDs."

Bernas said the scammer tries to trick the person on the line into handing over important information, such as bank account numbers or Social Security numbers.

Bernas warned that some callers even will use intimidating tactics to lure information from their victims.

"Basically, they're trying to scam you," he said, "whether you win a prize; whether it's someone touting or purporting to be from the IRS trying to say you didn't pay your back taxes, you need to immediately pay us or you're going to jail; or if you're an immigrant, you'll be deported."

Bernas also advised Illinoisans to trust their instincts and don't feel the need to be polite.

"You should take control of the phone," he said. "If they are being demanding or forceful, like a lot of these callers are, basically you can take control and demand that they stop calling you and demand that they go away."

He advised Illinoisans to always use caution over the phone, and to do research before giving anyone personal information.


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