Illinois Department of Insurance Warns of Possible Auto Insurance Scam

The Illinois Department of Insurance reports that some Illinois residents have received letters, printed on fake insurance department letterhead, advising recipients that their “automobile insurance policy is cancelled,” and that their “Driver’s License and/or License Plate’s will be suspended within 10 days from receipt of this letter.”

These letters are fraudulent and were not generated or sent by the Department. The Department is currently investigating the source of these fraudulent letters.

The Department said it does not maintain “insurance records” on individual consumers, and would not send unsolicited letters, faxes, or e-mails asking consumers for “proof of insurance” or other personal information. Moreover, the Department does not have the authority to suspend any individual’s Driver’s License or License Plate.

The Department advises consumers who may have received such a letter to please call the Department of Insurance at (312) 814-2420 and ask to speak to Norma Garcia. In order to aid the Department’s investigation, callers may be asked to provide a copy of the letter and, if applicable, the envelope in which it was mailed.

Source: Illinois Department of Insurance, http://insurance.illinois.gov