Officials warn of scams related to government shutdown. What to watch for Manahil Ahmad, NorthJersey.comOctober 8, 2025 at 3:00 AM 0 As Congress faces another budget stalemate, consumer watchdogs are warning Americans to be on guard for scams exploiting fears over the potential government shutdown.
- - Officials warn of scams related to government shutdown. What to watch for
Manahil Ahmad, NorthJersey.comOctober 8, 2025 at 3:00 AM
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As Congress faces another budget stalemate, consumer watchdogs are warning Americans to be on guard for scams exploiting fears over the potential government shutdown.
State attorneys general and federal officials say fraudsters are already seizing on uncertainty to target federal employees, contractors and benefit recipients with false claims about lost paychecks, suspended benefits and emergency relief.
With the government out of money after President Donald Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, many federal departments and agencies have been closed since midnight. See what remains open and what has closed.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>People wait in line to enter the Federal Building in Los Angeles, California on October 1, 2025, where services are experiencing significant disruptions due to the federal government shutdown, as essential workers continue working without pay and non-essential federal workers are furloughed. With the government out of money after President Donald Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, many federal departments and agencies have been closed since midnight. See what remains open and what has closed.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/p9wrf0D class=caas-img data-headline="See the impact of the government shutdown as agencies shutter or fight to stay open" data-caption="
People wait in line to enter the Federal Building in Los Angeles, California on October 1, 2025, where services are experiencing significant disruptions due to the federal government shutdown, as essential workers continue working without pay and non-essential federal workers are furloughed. With the government out of money after President Donald Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, many federal departments and agencies have been closed since midnight. See what remains open and what has closed.
">People wait in line to enter the Federal Building in Los Angeles, California on October 1, 2025, where services are experiencing significant disruptions due to the federal government shutdown, as essential workers continue working without pay and non-essential federal workers are furloughed. With the government out of money after President Donald Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, many federal departments and agencies have been closed since midnight. See what remains open and what has closed.
" src=https://ift.tt/p9wrf0D class=caas-img>
Members of the National Guard patrol along the grounds of the US Capitol on the first day of the US government shutdown in Washington, DC, on October 1, 2025. Essential services, like military and law enforcement, remain working.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Yhqp7BM class=caas-img data-headline="See the impact of the government shutdown as agencies shutter or fight to stay open" data-caption="
Members of the National Guard patrol along the grounds of the US Capitol on the first day of the US government shutdown in Washington, DC, on October 1, 2025. Essential services, like military and law enforcement, remain working.
">Members of the National Guard patrol along the grounds of the US Capitol on the first day of the US government shutdown in Washington, DC, on October 1, 2025. Essential services, like military and law enforcement, remain working.
" src=https://ift.tt/Yhqp7BM class=caas-img>
1 / 15See the impact of the government shutdown as agencies shutter or fight to stay open
People wait in line to enter the Federal Building in Los Angeles, California on October 1, 2025, where services are experiencing significant disruptions due to the federal government shutdown, as essential workers continue working without pay and non-essential federal workers are furloughed. With the government out of money after President Donald Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, many federal departments and agencies have been closed since midnight. See what remains open and what has closed.
"These scams are designed to prey on people's anxieties during a shutdown," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said this week, cautioning residents to avoid clicking on links or sharing personal information in unsolicited messages.
Consumer scams and fraud: FTC sees surge in losses from 'transfer it to protect it' money scams
Authorities say common tactics include phone calls or emails from imposters posing as Social Security, Medicare or food assistance officials. The messages may falsely warn that benefits are on hold unless recipients pay a fee or verify their personal data. Other scams offer "relief programs" or "wage protection services" that require upfront payments through wire transfers, gift cards or cryptocurrency.
Consumer advocates say shutdown periods also provide cover for phishing attempts emails and texts with subject lines such as "Government Shutdown Notice" or "Benefit Suspension." Clicking those links can expose victims to malware or direct them to fake login pages designed to steal credentials.
While federal operations may slow or scale back, officials emphasize that most benefits including Social Security, Medicare and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments are not cut off in a shutdown. The government will also not demand money or sensitive information by phone or email.
The Federal Trade Commission has warned that some consumer protection services could be limited during a shutdown, which could embolden scammers. Victims are urged to report fraud to their state attorney general or, when available, through the FTC's complaint system.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Government shutdown scams include these risks, officials warn
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