Madigan Warns Illinois Residents of Email Scam

Attorney General Lisa Madigan is warning Illinois residents that someone is using her office's name to scam people via email.

In a statement Tuesday, Madigan says the emails falsely threaten prosecution for supposed debts. The messages appear to be sent by someone from her office and include a letter with an official-looking seal and the words "final warning."

But Madigan says the email "is an outright scam."

She says anyone who receives such an email shouldn't respond. Madigan says they should call her office's consumer fraud bureau.

People who have applied for loans online may be at higher risk to receive the emails. Madigan says that's because they've provided their personal information to companies that may sell it to lenders or "illegal fraudsters."