Murrayville Man Avoids Walmart Scam Call, Highlights Growing Fraud Trends

Illinois officials warn of toll and text message scams targeting personal information

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Murrayville resident named Roger True recently received a scam call claiming fraudulent charges on his account at a Walmart in Albany, New York. Though the caller had some of True's personal information, he became suspicious and refused to provide his Social Security number, ending the call. True's experience highlights the growing prevalence of scam calls and texts in Illinois, with state officials urging residents to be cautious about sharing personal data, even if the caller seems legitimate.

Why it matters

Scam calls and texts are an increasing problem in Illinois, with criminals using sophisticated tactics to obtain sensitive personal and financial information from unsuspecting victims. True's story demonstrates how even seemingly legitimate calls can be part of a scam, underscoring the importance of verifying the identity of callers and being wary of requests for private data.

The details

When True received the call about a fraudulent $1,537.24 charge at a Walmart in Albany, New York, he knew it must be a scam since he rarely travels outside of Morgan County. The caller, who claimed to be from Walmart customer service, also said True's name had been used for suspicious accounts at multiple banks. Though initially caught off guard, True became suspicious when the caller tried to transfer him to an 'FTC agent' who demanded his Social Security number. True refused to provide the information and ended the call.

  • On a recent Tuesday, Roger True received the scam call.

The players

Roger True

A resident of Murrayville, Illinois who recently avoided falling victim to a scam call posing as Walmart and the FTC.

Kameron Marshall

The individual who identified himself as an FTC agent and asked True to verify his Social Security number during the scam call.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul

The state's top law enforcement official who recently issued a warning about a text message scam targeting Illinois residents with claims of traffic or tollway violations.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The first thing is don't be surprised. My first reaction was, 'What's happening?' And I panicked a bit. If you keep a tight rein on your finances, you'll know if something isn't right. And, if they ask personal questions, draw the line.”

— Roger True

“Illinois residents should be assured that government agencies will not call, text or email unprompted to ask for payment or personal information. If you receive such a message, even if the phone number appears to be local, do not respond. If you are unsure if the request is legitimate, contact the agency through the information provided on its official website.”

— Attorney General Kwame Raoul

What’s next

True plans to continue monitoring his accounts and credit report for any suspicious activity following the scam call. Illinois officials are urging residents to be vigilant about unsolicited requests for personal information and to report any suspected scams to local authorities or the state Attorney General's office.

The takeaway

Scam calls and texts targeting Illinois residents with claims of fraudulent activity or government agency imposters are on the rise. Roger True's experience shows that even seemingly legitimate calls can be part of an elaborate scheme, underscoring the importance of verifying the identity of callers and never providing sensitive personal data over the phone.