Need Help Now? CALL 211 on your phone. You can also TEXT your zip code to 898211.
Report A 211 Scam
Tips to Report Fraud or A Scam
Staying informed and vigilant protects everyone in our community. If you or someone you know is a victim of phone fraud, such as being called about 211 or another issue, you should report the incident to the authorities immediately. Here are some tips to help you take action against the fraudulent activity.
Write Down the Details
First, stop and write down the details about what happened. The details you provide can be great clues to help officials working the case.
- What phone number did they call you from?
- What company did they claim to be with?
- What name and other credentials did the person give you to identify themselves?
- What details did they already know about you?
- What new information did you provide to them about yourself?
- Write down what you remember about the conversation (background sounds, key phrases used, words they repeated, and tone of the conversation).
File A Police Report
A crucial step is to file a police report, especially if the crime occurred in the same local area or state. You can contact your local police department’s non-emergency number and request to file a report. They will let you know the process for filing a police report. You will need the police report number for further reporting.
What to Do If You Were Scammed
When the crime crosses a state line, it becomes a federal issue. Local police can alert other states or federal agencies to local crimes. The Federal Trade Commission monitors and handles scams of all types. Get some valuable tips on what to do if you get scammed.
Report A 211-Related Scam
211 Illinois was made aware of a fraudulent phone scam falsely claiming affiliation with our organization. A concerned caller reported receiving a phone call from an individual claiming to be a “supervisor with Illinois 211” and offering to help pay their utility bill. The scam involved a false promise: if the caller paid half the amount owed, “211” would cover the remaining amount.
We want to be absolutely clear:211 Illinois does not employ supervisors, does not offer direct financial assistance, and never asks for money in exchange for services.
If you receive a suspicious call claiming to be from 211 and requesting money, do not share any personal or financial information with them. Hang up immediately. Call 211 to report the incident. They can assist you with reporting crimes and provide resources.
Submit a report to 211 Illinois about your 211-related scam.
Report Unwanted Calls
You can report any unwanted calls to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). These include complaints that numbers are being spoofed, or whose calls are being mistakenly blocked or labeled as a possible scam call by a robocall blocking app or service. Learn more about how you can take action on unwanted calls.
