‘There’s no fear’: residents react to government shutdown
President Trump and Congressional Democrats have blamed each other for the lack of agreement that led to the federal government shutdown.
As Congress faces another budget impasse, consumer watchdog groups are warning Americans to be wary of scams exploiting fears of a possible government shutdown.
Scammers are already taking advantage of the uncertainty to target federal employees, contractors and benefit recipients with false claims about lost wages, suspension of benefits and emergency relief, state attorneys general and federal officials said.
“These scams are designed to prey on people’s fears during the shutdown,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said this week, warning residents not to click on links or share personal information in unsolicited messages.
Officials say common tactics include calls or emails from scammers posing as Social Security, Medicare or food assistance officials. This message may falsely warn that the benefit will be withheld unless the recipient pays a fee or verifies their personal data. Other scams offer “relief programs” or “wage protection services” that request advance payments via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
Consumer advocates argue that the shutdown period could also cover phishing email and text message attacks with subject lines like “Government Shutdown Notice” and “Benefits Suspended.” Clicking on these links can expose victims to malware or direct them to fake login pages designed to steal credentials.
Although federal government operations may be slowed or reduced, government officials have stressed that most benefits, including Social Security, Medicare and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments, will not be terminated by the shutdown. Additionally, the government will never request money or confidential information over the phone or via email.
The Federal Trade Commission warned that some consumer protection services may be limited during the shutdown, which could embolden scammers. Victims are asked to report fraud to their state attorneys general or, if possible, through the FTC’s complaint system.
