Scammers Targeting Victims Of Highland Park Mass Shooting, FBI Warns

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Authorities warned the public that scammers appear to be targeting victims of last week's mass shooting at Highland Park's Independence Day parade.

The FBI advised residents to remain vigilant against scams stemming from the incident and provided two red flags of recent scams.

In one, victims are contacted by a person purporting to represent the Illinois attorney general's Crime Victim Compensation Program who charges a fee to apply for assistance — even though state law forbids charging a fee to help someone apply for the program., which provides financial reimbursement to eligible victims of violent crimes.

Another scam targets those who have already applied, according to FBI spokesperson Siobhan Johnson.

"Victims have applied for assistance from the AGCVCP and are later contacted by someone claiming to be with the AGCVP. Victims are then asked to email or text a copy of their driver's license," Johnson said. "Be wary of texted requests for sensitive documents such as driver's licenses."

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, whose office administers the program, a number of family and friends of people wounded in the July 4 mass shooting have received calls that misrepresent the eligibility and expenses covered by the victim assistance program.

“As victims of a violent crime – including those affected by the horrific shooting in Highland Park – attempt to recover from trauma, they should not have to sort through misinformation or potential scams relating to programs that may provide assistance in a time of need,” Raoul said in a statement.

Raoul encouraged those uncomfortable with speaking over the phone to request an in-person appointment. Expenses eligible for reimbursement under the program include funeral and buriel costs, lost wages, counseling, health care costs and more.

Applications are available online. To report a suspicious contact or obtain more information about the program, residents were asked to contact the attorney generals' crime victim assistance line at 800-288-3368.

“I am reminding all Illinois residents to exercise caution," he added, "and utilize free information and resources available through the Attorney General’s office to avoid being defrauded by those seeking to take advantage of the gun violence plaguing too many of our communities.”

More Patch coverage of the Highland Park July 4 Parade shooting