BBB: Illinois Real ID Scams Are A Real Thing Before The Deadline

What happens if you show up at the airport on May 8th without having a Real ID? Are you going to be denied the ability to board a domestic flight? Will you be singled out in front of everyone and embarrassed by TSA? Are they going to kick your not-having-a-Real-ID-butt out of the entire airport and tell you to never return?

(Click here to get the answers to those questions)

As if those thoughts weren't enough to stress you out about having your Illinois Real ID taken care of by the upcoming deadline on May 7th, there are other things to worry about in this scenario--like falling victim to a scammer who's looking to prey on those who are scrambling to get their Illinois Real ID.

It's really happening to people, and in enough numbers that the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning about Real ID scams.

It's Not Just One Or Two Real ID Scams That Are Currently Being Used--The BBB Is Calling It "A Surge Of Scams" That Are Focused On Stealing Your ID

There have always been scams being perpetrated by scammers and con artists, and there always will be, but big events, like the deadline to update a form of identification, really bring out the bad actors who want your money, your ID, and anything else they can trick you out of.

Dennis Horton, Senior Director of the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau (BBB):

Fraudsters are exploiting the urgency surrounding the federally mandated REAL ID deadline. They are posing as government officials and creating fake websites to trick people into revealing personal information. This information can be used to drain your bank account and cause severe problems.

Here's How The Scammers Are Trying To Take Advantage Of You As We Approach The Illinois Real ID Deadline On May 7th

Scammers are employing various tactics to deceive unsuspecting individuals. You might receive calls, texts, or emails offering "help" to obtain your REAL ID. These communications often appear legitimate, with official-looking caller IDs and convincing websites. Keep in mind that no government agency will contact you out of the blue regarding a Real ID.

As the calendar gets closer to the Real ID deadline, the BBB says that "scammers will intensify their efforts, hoping to catch you off guard. They rely on the chaos and urgency of the moment, expecting you to overlook suspicious URLs or misspelled text and comply with their demands for immediate action. Falling for these scams not only risks your personal and confidential information but also exposes your devices to malware."

The best and safest thing to do is to check with the state for the specific requirements. In Illinois, go to realid.ilsos.gov/