Senior citizen self-help scam protection
TDD Services for the hearing impaired
Fingerprinting

Medical I.D. Bracelets

Senior scams: Our senior citizens deserve better than to be ripped off by unscrupulous individuals who would abscond with their money for phony services such as seal coating driveways, cleaning out gutters, and landscaping. Although there are plenty of businesses out there that are legitimate, there are also plenty of seedier people ready and willing to dupe a senior citizen out of their money.

    Here are some things you can do to protect yourselves against these leeches:

    1) Always ask to see their solicitor's permit issued to them by the village. If they tell you they are      exempt, or otherwise don't need a permit, they are lying to you! Everybody who sells anything door-to-door in Island Lake is required to have a solicitor's permit.

    2) Ask to see their vendor's license issued to them by the State of Illinois. If they don't have it, tell them ADIOS! Some of them will give you a sob story about how all their paperwork is in the office, or their boss won't give them copies to carry around. Ladies and gentlemen, that is a load of bull. Be insistent! If they can't produce the proper documents for what they are doing, just tell them to leave you alone.

    3) Tell them you have to think about it. Get a business card with a company name and someone to contact in the company. DO NOT give them your credit card or bank account information. Tell them to wait while you call the Village Hall and check their solicitor's permit. If they don't have one, they will usually be gone by the time you come back to the door.

    4) Never, ever, let any of these people into your home, your back yard, or your garage. If you think you may be interested in what they have to offer, tell them you need to discuss it with family or friends. If they insist that it must be done right now, and that you don't have time for a discussion, send them on their way. They are scamming you!

    5) If you feel you have any reason to fear any of these people, call the police! We will be more than happy to come to your aid.

TDD Services: The Island Lake police department supports services for the hearing impaired with a TDD unit in the communications center that operates 24 hours a day. This unit is checked every 30 days for functionality status. The phone number is 847-526-8559. If you are unable to get through to us, please notify us as soon a possible so that we can correct the problem. Normally, there should be no need for you to contact us via special operator.

Fingerprinting: Fingerprinting services are provided free of charge to our residents for the purposes of employment, and military identification checking and comparisons. Fingerprints for immigration purposes are no longer done by local police departments. You must now contact your nearest office of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Medical I.D. Bracelets: Medical identification bracelets are available to residents from the Island Lake Lions Club for a minimal fee. Applications can be obtained from the Island Lake Police Department 24 hours a day. You, or someone else must come to the station for you to get the application. We do not mail them out.