Chicago ─ Attorney General Lisa Madigan today alerted Illinois residents about an email scam that uses her office’s name and falsely threatens prosecution to collect on supposed debts.

Madigan’s office is investigating the scam after Illinois residents reported receiving emails from accounts that fraudulently appear to be sent by a representative of the Attorney General’s office. The emails include an attached “final warning” letter stamped with an official-looking seal that alleges the recipient owes money on an outstanding loan and must pay off the balance or face prosecution by the office.

“This email is an outright scam,” Madigan said. “Do not respond to anyone claiming to represent my office with demands for money or threatening prosecution. Instead, call our Consumer Fraud Bureau immediately at 1-800-243-0618.”

Madigan’s office said people who have applied for loans online may be at particular risk for the scam because they have provided their personal and financial information to companies that in turn sell the information to either lenders or, in some cases, illegal fraudsters seeking to use the personal information for profit.

Madigan said Illinois residents should contact her Consumer Fraud Bureau at 1 (800) 243-0618, and out-of-state residents should contact her office at (312) 814-3000.