Scam alert: Beware of texts claiming to be from secretary of state's office

If you've received a suspicious text message or email recently purporting to be from the Illinois secretary of state and asking you to update your contact information or stating you owe a renewal fee, you're not alone.

Reports of the texts and emails have been popping up in recent weeks, prompting Secretary of State Jesse White to issue a public warning calling the solicitations a scam.

“Delete the text or email,” White said. “Do not click on them and do not provide any of your personal information.”

White's office said clicking on the link contained in the text or email takes people to fraudulent websites that could place malware on a phone or computer, or trick people into disclosing sensitive personal information. The secretary of state's office never requests personal information, like a Social Security number, via text message or email, White said.

If you have questions about text message scams or identity theft, call the Illinois attorney general's Consumer Fraud Hotline at (800) 386-5438.