03/16/23 - Online Scam Alert

Is this someone I know reaching out to me on social media? Is this a member of our community? Or is this someone trying to scam you out of your money? 

The Hoffman Estates Police Department, as well as other neighboring communities, have seen a new trend with online scams.  Recently, there have been positions posted online for work from home job opportunities. If interested in the position, people are contacted through Facebook Messenger regarding the work from home position.  The person initiating these conversations through Facebook, falsely claim to be a representative of the Village of Hoffman Estates (or the town you reside in).  The person will then request that you promote rental properties on different social media outlets.  Once you promote these properties, unsuspecting individuals will provide a security deposit to the initial person, only to find out that there was never any property available. In fact, the properties that are being shown are typically not in the same state, let alone same community.  

SAFETY TIPS
• Do not allow anyone in your home unless you know him or her personally or it is a scheduled appointment.
• A legitimate utility company or Village of Hoffman Estates employee will never object if you ask for ID and will be driving a clearly identifiable company vehicle. You may verify with the utility company or the Village of Hoffman Estates if the individual was sent to your residence.
• As social media becomes a more common aspect of our daily lives, remember, a member of a legitimate utility company or Village of Hoffman Estates employee can be verified by calling the phone numbers provided on their legitimate websites.  

Share these tips with family, friends, neighbors and colleagues. In many cases, elderly homeowners are targeted. If you feel you were the victim of a scam, or if you have seen suspicious vehicles and/or subject approaching neighbors, call 911 to report these incidents to the Hoffman Estates Police Department.

11/10/22 - Domestic Incident

At approximately 1:45 pm, Hoffman Estates Police Department officers were dispatched to a single vehicle accident in the 3100 block of W Golf Road. Prior to officer’s arrival, witnesses observed a male subject flee into the wooded area. Once on scene, officers made contact with a female subject. The female subject was transported to Saint Alexis Medical Center with minor injuries. Officers and detectives gathered statements from witnesses and the female subject. It was learned that this was an isolated domestic incident. While there was a large police presence on scene, there was no danger to the public while looking for the other party involved. This case is currently being handled by the Investigations Unit at the Hoffman Estates Police Department.

10/17/22 - Prevent Ruse Burglaries

The Village of Hoffman Estates wants to make you aware of what to look for if a solicitor comes to your door.  In order for someone to solicit door-to-door in Hoffman Estates they need to apply for a license and will receive a Village issued solicitor identification card (see samples below) which they should show you upon request.  They should never ask to come into your home.  If someone comes to your home and does not have the proper identification, please do not let them in your home and call 911 immediately.  An officer will respond to verify their identification.  Help us spread the word and share this information with your family and neighbors.

 07/21/20 - Unemployment Scam

The Hoffman Estates Police are asking that the community be on the alert of a new unemployment scam.  The victim of this scam will receive a debit card in the mail from KeyBank who administers the cards for the State of Illinois after the unemployment is filed.  The card will be preloaded with funds but what this really means is that the person's identity may have been compromised.

If a person receives this debit card and did not apply for unemployment they should make a police report and also contact the Illinois Department of Employment Security.  The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) has updated their website and now contains information for victims who receive KeyBank debit cards. 

Please visit the IDES website for more information. https://www2.illinois.gov/ides/Pages/Reporting_Unemployment_Insurance_Fraud.aspx