ASHMORE, Ill. (WCIA) — Scammers are targeting a small town in Coles County, making the community think they are unsafe in their own homes.
The Village of Ashmore has recently become a target of fraud in Central Illinois. A misleading post on Facebook alleges that the town’s water supply contains toxic chemicals, supposedly linked to cancer and other illnesses. The post also claims there is an ongoing lawsuit that could potentially result in a cash settlement for residents.
The village wants people to know these claims are false.
“It’s a fear factor to get people out there and try to collect some free money,” said Ashmore Mayor Kurt Crail.
Jake Johnson, the village’s Public Works Administrator, said water levels are passing Illinois EPA tests with flying colors.
“Our distribution samples come back clean. There’s no coliform, bacteria, E. coli,” reported Johnson. “I just ran our samples yesterday and received the results this morning confirming that everything is clean and safe.”
Village officials suggested that the scammers might be exploiting the situation from the previous month in Mattoon, where elevated levels of blue-green algae were detected in the city’s water supply.
“In light of the Mattoon issue, we’ve had inquiries about our own water supply,” Johnson noted. “However, I’ve never faced a situation involving a supposed lawsuit against us of which we have no knowledge.”
Mayor Crail expressed frustration about spreading awareness regarding the scam, as it diverts village staff from their primary duty: ensuring the well-being of Ashmore.
He also said he does not think anyone has fallen victim to the scam yet.
